TOPSmobiles

Our bodies, or TOPSmobiles, require careful maintenance.  Therefore, each week, we have an appointment at our local Chapter Check-In Center.

Our officers serve as our Master Mechanics:

Our Check-In Supervisor/Leader, Joanna, will shine her light and guide us through meetings and the problems of weight management.

Our Lead Mechanic/Co-Leader, Mark, will serve as a versatile tool, filling in where needed.

Our Auto Service Technician/Secretary, Linda, will keep detailed minutes, and, therefore, a logbook of our activities.

Our Body and Frame Technician/Treasurer, Janet, will precisely maintain the treasury/framework of our chapter.

The Master Mechanic/Weight Recorder, Marcia, uses her "gauge to measure and record the pounds of pressure in the tires and how that matches up with factory specifications".

Our Apprentice Mechanics/Asst. Weight Recorders, Mary and Wilma, will assist with the "proper recording of factory specifications" and provide support.

THANKS TO THESE MEMBERS WHO AGREED TO ASSIST WITH THESE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ACTIVITIES!

Source:  :http://www.topsnews.org/a/topsnews/volume63/number1/page29#page=13&zoom=1

Thursday, March 24, 2011

An excellent loss by the chapter!

Best Loser: CAROL!!!

Wise: Fruits and Veggies
Unwise: The 3 C's: Chips, Cookies and Cakes

Travel Gift Update:
Judy lost it and Joanna got it.

Guest Speaker:
Dietician: Marianne Romano, MPS, RD, CDN
Romano Nutrition Consulting Services

She talked about:
Knowing your food cues
Overcoming habits
Alternative behaviors
The power of choice

Habits? All in Your Head

Ms. Romano shared an article by Lauran Neergaard entitled, "Habits?  All in Your Head".

Science shows that bad habits are hard to break for a biological reason - they get wired into your brain.  It has to do with dopamine's role in habit formation.  The yumminess of chocolate tends to beat out the knowledge that veggies are a better choice for weight loss because we are programmed to accept the immediate reward.

But, it is possible to beat the Brain Game.

First, don't overestimate your ability to resist temptation.  Smokers are more likely to light up when they have a cigarette in front of them.  Similarly, if you are staring at a bag of chips, it makes it a tad harder to avoid eating them.  Avoid the tug of war between willpower and temptation by removing the source of temptation.

Repeat, repeat, repeat!  When establishing a new and healthy habit such as exercising, it helps to establish a routine and do the same thing at the same time of day, rather than fitting it in haphazardly.

Reward yourself.  If you exercised all week and stuck to your eating plan, perhaps you could buy yourself a book or a new pair of jeans.

Cut out the rituals that are linked to your bad habits, such as eating in front of the TV.

And, good news, exercise itself raises dopamine levels providing your brain with a feel good hit.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The scales said we were a little TOO happy!

Best Loser: SISTER MARY!!!
Wise: Not too many carbs
Unwise: Couch potatoism

The wearin' of the green...

SRD Theme:

What should our costumes be?

Program:Open Mic

Linda shared her experience with Medafast

Amanda talked about intuitive eating (pay attention to what you eat)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

OH YEAH!!!  Now we got it goin' on!

Best Loser: MARCIA!!!
Wise: Exercise
Unwise: Ice cream

Elections Results:
Leader: Joanna
Co-Leader: Mark
Secretary: Linda
Treasurer: Janet
Weight Recorder: Marcia
Assistant Weight Recorder: Mary

Travel Gift Update:
Marcia gets what Joanna lost.

Important:
If you are going to miss a weigh-in or meeting, please contact an officer before the meeting.