Thursday, May 28

ALL RIGHT!!! We're moving in the right direction now!

One of our many new members Paulette was our 'Best Loser' this week. She recommends sticking to your plan and avoiding those starches.

We had another guest this week! We hope to see Janet back again soon.

There were seven people who succeeded in the challenge to "Do Something Different".
The winner (drawn at random) of a $20 gift certificate donated by Salad Creations was...NELLIE!

We also had a Guest Speaker this week; Chiropractor, Dr Robert Block.

He had alot of good information including that by age 30, 50% of the population has some sort of a back problem. He also gave us some tips on posture and some simple suggestions on things like better ways to bend, lift and even get out of a chair.

Thanks Dr. Block for the helpful information!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

This week, the chapter had a gain. We can do better; LET'S DO IT GUYS!!!

Jessie is trying to show is the way as our 'Best Loser'. She wants us to drink our water and not have any ice cream in the house.

The next time you see them, please welcome our two new members, Paulette and Linda M.

NO WEIGH-IN OR MEETING NEXT WEEK, MAY 21st!

Dr. Block the Chiropractor will be at our next meeting, May 28th.

TOPS member sighted at the drive-in! Check out this story on Capital News 9's website to see a TOPS pal!

The next Chinese Auction will be June 11th. Amanda, Ann, Bonnie and Joanna will provide glamorous items for your pleasure.

Joanna asked us to explore what may be blocking us from losing weight.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Well. Unfortunately, we had a gain this week. Albeit a small one, we really need to get back on track.

Clearly, our 'Best Loser', Wilma (two weeks in a row!) can show us the way. She recommends drinking our water and staying away from ice cream. This worked so well for her last week, why not try it again!

We had two guests this week, Paulette and Linda M. We hope to see their faces back again.

Everyone please give a hearty "Welcome Back" to Jessie!

Our fundraiser for next years' SRD in Saratoga Springs has begun. Let's get out and sell those car washes! Here's a link to pics from last years' SRD in the Catskills!

There will not be a meeting or weigh-in on May 21st!

This week's program about Carbs was presented by Joanna.

So the question was asked "How much is 15 grams of sugar?" Well, there are 4 grams per teaspoon. Is this alot or a little? Well there are some discrepancies about how many carbs one should have every day. Why? It all depends on your diet. If you eat 2000 calories you should have about 200 carbs. If you eat 1500 calories, about 150 carbs. Remember, your brain needs carbs to function so cutting out carbs entirely in not at all healthy!

Here's a couple of helpful web sites:
www.righthealth.com
www.bloodsugarguide.com

Thanks Joanna for a helpful program!

Thursday, April 30, 2009

The group registered a significant loss!!

Wilma was our Best Loser of the week. She recommeded that we drink more water and stay away from that ice cream.

Honorable mention goes to Ann and Traci who both lost over five pounds!

Gwen was also recognized for being the Best Loser for last month, and Linda K. performed admirably on our challenge with a 13 pound loss over the two months of the contest!

Congratulations to all for your success!

Barbara is cleaning house, so the chapter is seeking a location to store TOPS supplies. If you have some extra space to lend to the chapter, please notify an officer.

Also, the position of Greeter is open. Talk to Barbara about the specific tasks associated with this service.

A fundraiser has begun to raise money for next year's SRD in Saratoga. We will be selling Hoffman's Car Washes. It is $9.00 for and Exterior Car Wash and $18.00 for a Full Service Car Wash. See an officer for forms.

We are happy to report that both Marcia and Kim are doing well post op.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Whoops! We had a little slip. That's o.k., we will redeem ourselves this week.

However, Linda L. was our 'Best Loser' this week with a great loss. She counseled us to exercise and keep away from the breads (white=bad, whole grains=good!)

We welcome a new member to TOPS! Traci, who visited us last week, has joined our chapter, so let's give her a BIG TOPS WELCOME!!!

Fall Rally will be held at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs again this year on October 24th. Details to follow in the summer.

Our next Chinese Auction will be held May 14th
Linda L., Cindy, Carol and Lorraine will bring treasures!

Amanda presented a program called Don’t Fall Subject to Recession Pounds - Protect Your Health in These Times of Economic Woe. She told us about an interesting relationship between economic downturns and weight gain. As times get worse, people don't eat as healthy as when times are good. They opt for cheap, fattening foods in place of healthy but relatively expensive items such as fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and whole grains. They may not be able to afford their gym memberships or participate in expensive weight loss programs. In addition, stress affects our hormones in a way that encourages weight gain, and some may fall prey to emotional eating.

Have hope! Try adding these affordable but nutrient-rich foods to your diet: ground beef, beans, milk, nuts, cheese, carrots, potatoes, canned tomatoes, soups, and rice. If you can't afford the gym - try walking or borrowing exercise DVD's from your local library. We already know that TOPS not-for-profit status helps us with our wallets and the support helps us to deal with our stressors in a positive manner!

Here are some additional resouces to help us stay lean during lean times:

• Regional Food Bank's Extra Helpings Program
• Healthy Eating on a Budget
• http://www.localharvest.org/

Thanks, Amanda, for the informative program.