by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Sandy Garber of Carencro, Louisiana, was crowned the 2022 TOPS Louisiana Queen. TOPS (Take Off Pounds SensiblySM) is a nonprofit weight loss support organization that started in 1948.
Garber started with the support organization on February 9, 2021, after her daughter’s encouragement to start a healthy eating program.
Garber lost eighty-eight pounds using the weight loss program of her choice and getting support from the TOPS program. She consistently lost ten pounds a month until she reached her goal weight.
Garber found TOPS to be a supportive organization that helped her lose weight. Encouragement from members and accountability kept her committed. She considers the group 100% successful and cannot quit.
According to Garber, exercise is discouraged initially because not enough calories are consumed.
When starting her weight loss journey, Garber used to say, “I will try,” but she soon realized that a positive attitude was necessary. She switched to saying, “I can do this.”
Her daughter coaches Garber and attends weekly weigh-ins at her group, TOPS LA 0526, at the library in Abbeville, Louisiana.
Since reaching her goal weight, she now focuses on KOPS (Keeping Off Pounds Sensibly). She eats whatever she wants but does so by making better choices about what she eats and how much she eats. She moved away from starch and carbohydrates; she added, “Carbs are addictive.” She had to change her mindset when eating.
On becoming TOPS 2022 Louisiana Queen, Garber said this was a special thing for her as it encourages her to continue her journey. She is proud of what she has accomplished and says her family is proud of her.
Now, Garber is in the KOPS stage of her weight loss journey; she is starting to exercise by walking. She is working on taking the number of steps it would require if she were to walk to the state of Oregon. This is one of the games of the TOPS program.
For others trying to lose weight, Garber says, “Don’t give up, keep trying. When you fall, pick yourself up. Work on your mindset”.
TOPS is not a diet. It is a lifestyle change for a lifetime. TOPS has been fighting obesity since its founding in 1948. TOPS has tens of thousands of members – male and female, age seven and older – in its network of thousands of weight-loss support chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
