By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

When Ginny Grimmett of Florence joined the Marion chapter of TOPS, a weight-loss support group that encourages members to “take off pounds sensibly,” she weighed almost 300 pounds.

She had started going to a doctor in Emporia for weight loss when she spotted a TOPS flyer in her office. She called the number and found out about a chapter in Marion.

“It took courage, but I visited and decided to join,” she said. “I lost 46.6 pounds that first year and was a state division winner, but I started to gain again. I got discouraged and stopped going to TOPS meetings for a while.”

She still wanted to lose weight, so she found an online weight-loss program and entered counseling and group therapy.

“It changed my attitude toward food,” she said, “and I started losing again.”

She ate 1,200 calories a day, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. She also stopped snacking on junk food.

In March 2022, Ginny rejoined TOPS. She knew she could be successful, and she was. She weighed 212 pounds at the end of the year.

She lost 66.8 pounds in 2022 to take second place in the state in her weight division (250 to 300 pounds).

At the TOPS 2023 State Recognition Days in Topeka on April 15, she was recognized on stage while the master of ceremonies read her story. Before-and-after photos were displayed on a large screen.

“I am totally different than I was before,” she said. “My whole life is changing. If it hadn’t been for the encouragement from my TOPS friends, I do not think I could have stuck with it. I have not reached my goal, but I am on my way.”

TOPS KS 1075 Marion meets at 9:30 a.m. every Thursday in the activity room at Hilltop Manor, 1501 E. Lawrence St.

The chapter has 21 members, including five new members since Jan. 1.