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Weightloss helps Vernon woman find new life

Lynda Mawer turned down her first invitation to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly)
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Lynda Mawer of Vernon before and after she lost 60 pounds through TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit weight-loss program. She encourages people to try the program if weight loss is a New Year goal. (Photo submitted)

Cara Brady

For The Morning Star

Lynda Mawer turned down her first invitation to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly).

She’s glad her friend persisted because joining TOPS was the start of a new way of looking at eating and food and led to 60-pound weight loss.

“My parents were never overweight and I didn’t grow up with role models who were always dieting. I began dieting in my twenties. Ironically, years later when looking at photos from that time period I was stunned by my false belief that I needed to diet,” she said.

She gained weight slowly over the years and tried a number of weight-loss programs with no lasting success and was discouraged by chronic pain and fatigue.

“I didn’t believe I could reach a good weight,” Mawer said. “At my first TOPS meeting it was a rude awakening as I topped the scale at 206.4 pounds and am only 5-foot-1. With tears in my eyes, I felt my mentor Jan put her arms around me and whisper words of encouragement.”

As Mawer, a retired educator, attended more meetings, she came to appreciate the support and how much the members cared about each other. She was impressed by the KOPS (Keep OFF Pounds Sensibly) members who stayed slim because of attending weekly meetings and weight-ins and what they learned in the group.

“One had been a KOPS member for 52 years. I felt it was possible for me to be successful. Members set their goal weights with their doctors to take into consideration individual health conditions. I didn’t think about long-term. It was one day at a time,” Mawer said.

“I realized that I was an emotional eater who self-medicated with comfort foods that were not particularly healthy. It was a gift to me to realize that I had a choice. I made healthy choices from all of the wonderful food that we have available and which we should be so grateful for.

“I learned to be mindful when I eat, to eat slowly in ‘mouse bites’ and to appreciate food more. I got small cocktail-size utensils to eat. I still enjoy a chocolate dessert but am happy with a few bites. I learned to distinguish between ‘head hunger’ and ‘stomach hunger.’”

With TOPS support and information, an app which helps keep track of food intake and exercise balance and feeling herself getting slimmer and more energetic, she got to her goal in nine months.

“I say it was like I birthed a 60-pound baby. I don’t know how I could have carried that much weight around. I’ve celebrated my second anniversary as a KOPS and am still fully motivated to keep living this chosen lifestyle of healthy eating and activity. My husband was and is my biggest fan and I am so thankful for his love and support,” she said.

She was crowned Chapter Queen of BC 3116 and became BC Provincial Queen, attending International Recognition Days in Orlando. Florida, representing Vernon, B.C. and Canada.

“I am so grateful for everyone who helped me to find a new way of life. I now walk, bike and do water aerobics and feel better physically and emotionally. I love my new wardrobe. It’s fun to clothes shop again. I will attend TOPS for the rest of my life. I owe myself the best and TOPS is that.”

Mawer believes that everyone owes themselves the best and encourages them to try TOPS when they think it is time to reach a goal of a healthy weight.

“I think it’s important to point out TOPS is not-for-profit and non-commercial. We offer safe, effective and affordable weight loss. We are 70-years-old this year and we have always focused on each member attaining a healthy lifestyle,” said TOPS president Barb Cady. “It’s important to know TOPS is not a diet. It is a lifestyle change for a life time. Our founder, Esther Manz, set our mission: help each member become as healthy and active as possible wherever they are in their weight loss journey and to provide the support that is crucial for success and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.”

TOPS has been awarded a scientific achievement award for new research in obesity and six scholarships to attend an obesity boot camp for graduate students and worked with them to increase public awareness of obesity as a disease, which includes participating in diabetes health awareness initiatives.

TOPS has approximately 125,000 members in Canada and the U.S. and is open to people of all ages.

For more information about TOPS in the area, call 250-545-7841 for Vernon or 250-547-6188 for Lumby.