Sunday, January 17, 108% North Shore News

NORTH SHORE CHAPTERS

Weight loss group
celebrates 40 years

TAKE OFF Pounds Sensthls (POPS), a non-profit, self-help weight con
tral group, celebrates is 40th anniversary this yeae.

The organization, which has (@ chapters on the North Shore, began in
1948 when homemaker Esther Manz of Mulwaubkee decided to do some-
thing to reduce her weight. She invited two trends with similar goals to
join her.

The three women weighed inon a scale at the local health centre, and
two weeks later when they met again each found she had lost weight. As
a result, Mans founded the TOPS organization.

Today TOPS members can be found in United States, Canada,
England, Japan, Germany, Jamaica and t& other countries. There are
over 400 chapters in BUC. alone.

TOPS is more than a dicting club. All members are required to get
their individual weight goals from their own doctors,

The program has five facets including medical orientation, group ther-
apy, competition, recognition and obesity research.

The group therapy portion of the program comes into play between

NEWS photo Terry Peters meetings when members support cach other. In addition, the group
sponsors retreats where members can break out of their routines.

Friendly competition for weight loss is high on the group's list as is

Ks recognizing success for members who do lose weight.
fe Y as Fe] pic Ure The obesity research program was set up in 1966,
Membership in TOPS is $20 per year for the first two years, and S18
for subsequent years.

New members often join in January or February according to Fran
Ruegg, area captain for the North Shore, Squamish, and Pemberton
Valley. Maybe it’s because of over-indulgence over the holiday season or
perhaps it’s tied up with new year's resolutions, she suggests.

Anyone interested in becoming part of the TOPS program can contact
Fran Ruegg, 987-1095,

VONDRA MIREK applies the finishing touches to his painting of a section of West Ist Street in North
Vancouver on a recent winter’s day. Originally from Czechoslovakia, Mirck enjoys painting the besutiful
surroundings found on the North Shore.

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