“If you are happy being overweight, don’t read this article. You have every right to be any shape or size you choose. The operative word here is ‘choose.’”
The TOPS agenda is to “take off pounds sensibly.” We set goals and decide when they are reached. Some will stop when they feel it’s good enough and some will keep going until they have reached their idea of perfection. Some are driven by other people’s ideas of their looks or weight. Others lose weight because it’s something they value. You are the only person who knows when it’s time to say, “I’m good enough” or, “I want to keep going.”
For some, weight loss is all about appearance. We want a smaller waistline or dress size. If wearing a size smaller is enough to make us feel successful, great! If we want to wear a dress that we wore when we were thirty pounds lighter, we might keep going. The mirror is both the enemy and the friend, and we won’t stop until we accept what we see.
Some want more strength and endurance. Better diet and frequent exercise usually do the trick, especially if we develop good habits and stay with them. For others it’s satisfying just to have less upper arm jiggle, or to be able to walk farther. If strength and endurance are your goal you might aspire to run marathons and an exercise program will become your lifestyle. Ribbons and awards might be the outer reward for you. Or you might never even think of competing.
There are people who find that being “weighty” causes pain. Joints ache and they get tired faster. By taking off pounds, and keeping them off, they can do what they used to do. They might try to lose and keep off more, if they think it will make them feel even better. Taking fewer painkillers can be a measure of success.
Some of us may have doctor-diagnosed medical issues, resulting in advice to take off pounds for blood pressure, to lower blood sugar levels, or for other health concerns (even emotional and psychological issues). Here again, TOPS can be life-changing, even lifesaving. No longer filling a certain prescription or using a cane or walker may be achievable. Or a look at longevity charts might reveal a longer life expectancy. Then, one might strive to live long enough to see the great-great-grandchildren. Whatever the course, it’s a choice.
We support everyone regardless of their reasons for joining, and encourage every member to meet their health goals through developing better habits
We’d love to see you at TOPS meetings. We meet every Wednesday morning at the Community Centre, from 9:00 to 10:00. We meet indoors, social distancing, sanitizing whatever we touch, and most of us wear masks throughout the meeting. We’re a low-cost, enjoyable, international self-help program that happily welcomes everyone. (Your first visit is free.) If you want to Take Off Pounds Sensibly with us, please call .
Fat Is an Emotional Issue | Psychology Today Canada
Submitted by Amber Harvey