Connecticut State Recognition Days

TOPS

was held April 15th & 16th, 2011

Meet our Winners!

OUR CONNECTICUT ROYALTY

KING

Peter Kaplenski

TOPS CT 0185, Plantsville

37.75 pounds lost to goal

My wife and I joined TOPS CT0185 Plantsville in November 2009 as it was an inexpensive weight support group.  A friend of ours went and said there was no pressure and they offer programs on nutrition and exercise.  Five years earlier I had quit smoking and basically did nothing for 3 years.  I had back surgery done in 2007 so my mobility was, and is, limited.  (I now have a bone spur where the surgery was done)

We joined a gym but I was still not losing weight.  So we then joined TOPS.  I weighed in at 212.75 lbs. and lost 13 lbs. in two months. I lost only 3.75 lbs. over the next five months.  In May of 2010 my wife and I decided to make a strong commitment to getting into shape and hired a Personal Trainer.  We each weight train three times per week at 30 minutes per session.  Many times I am at the gym at 4 AM when it opens and then go again later in the day, after work, doing mainly cardio.

About the same time our State (CT) Fall Rally Theme was “How The Waist Was Won”.  I became eligible for six rewards – one for becoming a KOPS.  I weighed 196 at the start of Fall Rally.  A newspaper recently had run a Biggest Loser contest at the paper and the winner weighed the same as I did and lost more than 20 lbs. so I figured “Why Not Me?”  Along the way I had heard from a work associate, that people were saying, “I don’t know why he keeps going to the gym, he’ll never lose that gut.”   I must have listened to “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” a thousand times while pedaling on a stationary bike which seemed like pedaling to California. (I’m on my way back) or, while sitting in a 160 deg. Sauna.  For my back injury there was aqua therapy involved which really strengthened my core and gave me an awareness of my body and its motions.  All these factors mattered but something was still missing.

The deciding factor in my success was in NUTRITION.  I now make conscious efforts not to eat Carbohydrates.  No more pasta, no mashed potatoes, no bread or sweets.  I do NOT use the word “DIET” as this is now considered a LIFE CHANGE.  The combination of nutrition, exercise and weight training resulted in instantaneous results.

The pounds were melting off.  The next three months resulted in losing 20 lbs. and 7 inches off my body to reach my goal weight of 175 lbs., 9 months and 2 weeks after joining TOPS.  My chest went from 44 inches to 40.5 inches. My waist 43.5 inches to 34.5 inches.  My hips from 44 inches to 40 inches.  This resulted in a loss of 16.5 inches overall and a total loss to goal of 37.75 lbs.  During this time I was winning weekly biggest loser charms, half way to Goal charms, six straight weeks of losses (two times), 10, 20 and 30 lbs. weight loss charms.  From the time I was at goal in August 2010, I still have taken 3 inches off my waist while staying in leeway.  At Fall Rally I was acknowledged for KOPS, exercise, biggest loser (couples with my wife) and biggest loser male category over 20 lbs.  Over one-half of our Chapter went.  I felt so proud for myself, my wife and our Chapter, and wondered, if not for them where would I be now.  Hard work and persistence paid off throughout my quest.  I experienced many highs and lows.  Two constants kept me going – my wife and TOPS.  Anytime I started to wander, they were there to keep me on track.

During this journey I reflected on quotes such as Vince Lombardi’s – “Our Greatest Glory is not in never failing, it is rising each time we fail”, and Confucius “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.  Don’t be afraid to dream, I did, and dreams do come true.  DO NOT GIVE UP!! NEVER GIVE UP!

TOPS has changed my life and everyday as I work out or make food choices, I wonder if it were not for TOPS, where would I be.  Having the right support from TOPS and self-determination can be the formula to success for anyone.  Give it a try, IT WORKS FOR ME!!!

QUEEN

Victoria Kolyvas

TOPS CT 0095, Clinton

127.00 pounds lost to goal

Finally the Yellow Rose – I am a TOPS Re-run. I first joined TOPS twenty years ago, at CT #127, South Windsor. My dear friend Diane, who lives in Massachusetts, told me about TOPS, and together we decided to do something about our weight before we turned 40.  TOPS is my road to weigh loss success.  I lost steadily, feeling better, looking better, and earning lots of charms and state awards. I’d come to SRD and tears would pour from my eyes when the KOPS made the Circle of Light. Would there be a Yellow Rose for me someday? 

I came within a pound or two of my goal, and then life happened. Suddenly, in addition to my full time career, I became a care giver, not once but twice.  Family responsibilities took over, followed by major changes at work, including relocation and then the opportunity to take early retirement and follow my dream to own a bed and breakfast inn. I moved to the CT shoreline and became known for my wonderful breakfasts - and I enjoyed every bite myself.  

My wake-up call and inspiration to do something about my weight came when my sister, who is ten years my senior, underwent quadruple bypass surgery and also became a diabetic. I realized that that could be me ten years later if I didn’t take action now.  I also had a friend who had reversed her adult onset type-two diabetes by changing her lifestyle, losing weight and exercising. Together these two were my inspiration to return to TOPS in December 2006, this time to CT #95, Clinton. It took 3 1/2 years and a decision to make a forever lifestyle change, and I finally reached my weight loss goal for the first time in my life!

First and foremost I give glory and thanks for my achievement to my Lord Jesus, who blesses me with the courage to change my lifestyle and to persevere each day. And then my heartfelt thanks to all the members of my TOPS chapter who have encouraged me every step of the way.  This is the beginning of a new journey – that of being a KOPS, and I look to Jesus and to my chapter TOPS and KOPS and to all the CT KOPS to help me to learn to navigate this new lifestyle successfully. I still make wonderful gourmet breakfasts for my guests, and now I have the energy to really enjoy being an innkeeper.

King Runner-up

Robert Hyneckael

TOPS CT 0094, Prospect

20.50 pounds lost to goal

I joined  TOPS in February 2010 and achieved KOPS status in May 2010.  I joined TOPS to lose weight and learn a new way of living large by being smaller.

I learned that the only way I can take off pounds sensibly and keep off pounds sensibly is to keep a calorie chart, attend meetings and exercise.

As a result of continued diligence as a KOPS, I feel better, sleep better, have lower blood pressure and cholesterol and help others on their road to becoming KOPS. 

Queen Runner-up

Marilyn McAlee

TOPS CT 0092, Higgaum

102.00 pounds lost to goal

I have been overweight since I was born.  By 1987 when I joined TOPS, I weighed 211 pounds.  I did well and cam close to my goal.  Then I met my second husband and I really started to gain weight.

My Husband became ill and I could not lose the weight.  By the time he passed away, I had gained back all the weight I had lsot plus much more.  Then I became ill and I knew I had to lose the weight.  It was my TOPS family that brought me to this point.  Thank you my very dear TOPS friends.

Division Winners

Male

Female

Div 1 - 1^st Place - 50.50 pounds

Mike Lawson

TOPS CT 0084, Westbrook

Another year, another set of obstacles.

The first half of the year started out great, I was eating right and exercising.

The second half of the year led to new ways to exercise and eating due to the cancer of the tongue.  BY the end of the year, I was in recovery and slowly regaining my strength and restarting my exercise program as a beginner due to muscle atrophy.

Through it all, the support of my TOPS family has kept my spirits high and my attitude positive.

Div 2 - 1^st Place - 14.50 pounds

David Coggeshall

TOPS CT 0034, Uncasville

        We are trying to change our life style by eating healthier, parking further away from the store and counting calories.
          We still go out to eat but bring half the meal home. If we go out for ice cream that is our dinner.
          The main thing is not to deny ourselves or call it a DIET!!  We do not want to diet the rest of our lives so we are making life changes instead. It also helps with all the support we get from our TOPS FAMILY at CT #34. They are a great bunch of people. 

Div 2 - 2^nd Place - 11.50 pounds

Roger Grant Jr.

TOPS CT 0170, Shelton

Let’s be blunt…I was killing myself.  I was working at a job with insane hours and making meals out of whatever I could find in the little time I had.  This “Nitro-Glycerin” combination had my doctor telling me that he could medicate my Diabetes, but other than that...he would “wear a nice tie to my funeral.”  I would pass out at work, something you really SHOULDN’T do at an Alarm Dispatch job!  Needless to say, I was fired.  My doctor celebrated, and mother decided that I now had time to “meet the gang.”  I have now been “meeting the gang” for the past 2 years!

Div 3 - 1^st Place - 26.00 pounds

Peter Kaplenski

TOPS CT 0185, Plantsville

My wife and I joined TOPS CT0185 Plantsville in November 2009 as it was an inexpensive weight support group.  A friend of ours went and said there was no pressure and they offer different programs on nutrition and exercise.  Five years earlier I quit smoking and basically did nothing for 3 years.  I had back surgery done in 2007 so my mobility was, and is, limited.  (I now have a bone spur where the surgery was done)

We joined a gym but I was still not losing weight.  So we then joined TOPS.  I weighed in at 212.75 lbs. and lost 13 lbs. in two months.  In May of 2010 my wife and I decided to make a strong commitment to getting into shape and hired a Personal Trainer.  We each weight train three times per week at 30 minutes per session.  Many times I am at the gym at 4 AM when it opens and then go again later in the day, after work, doing mainly cardio.

The deciding factor in my success was in NUTRITION.  I now make conscious efforts not to eat Carbohydrates.  No more pasta, no mashed potatoes, no bread or sweets.  I do NOT use the word “DIET” as this is now considered a LIFE CHANGE.  The combination of nutrition, exercise and weight training resulted in instantaneous results.  The pounds were melting off.  The next three months resulted in losing 20 lbs. and 7 inches off my body to reach my goal.  Hard work and persistence pays off throughout my quest.  I experienced many highs and lows.  Two constants kept me going – my wife and TOPS.  Anytime I started to wander, they were there to keep me on track.

TOPS has changed my life and everyday as I work out or make food choices, I wonder if it were not for TOPS, where would I be.  Having the right support from TOPS and self-determination can be the formula to success for anyone.  Give it a try!!

Div 3 - 2^nd Place - 15.00 pounds

Stephen Damiano

TOPS CT 0103, Southington

Div 4 - 1^st Place - 25.50 pounds

Robert Hyneckeal

TOPS CT 0094, Prospect

Div 4 - 2^nd Place - 11.25 pounds

Bill Carroll

TOPS CT 00118, Newington

I retired (for good) in November 2009 and my wife was very concerned that I would not have enough to do, so she suggested that I join the Newington Senior & Disabled Center.  I did, and brought home their monthly events calendar and news letter where I found about TOPS and when their meetings were held.

Weight has been a lifelong challenge for me.  As an Army Reservist I was held to standards for both weight and physical fitness, but I retired from the Army Reserve in 1996 and the weight had crept on and there was no incentive to get it back down.

Any way, I decided to join TOPS and loose the weight. 

That was the easy part.

Our Newington Chapter 0118 Leader decided not to run again for any TOPS office and I was nominated and elected.

It has been a busy year as I needed to figure out the TOPS Rules, Regulations and operating routine. I found that the Newington Chapter members were a great group of people to work with and to just plain know.  Now I see them at the Library, at the Memorial Day parade, and at many Senior Center events.

It has been a great year, and I even lost enough weight to meet my Goal.

Div 1 - 1^st place -  34.00 pounds

Susan Perry

TOPS CT 0067, Norwich

I have always been heavy, and tried more diets then I can count. I had joined tops 25 years ago to loss weight for my wedding, I lost and got into my dress. I  then start years of yo yo dieting and gained 120 pounds over the next 24 years. My youngest daughter inherited my weight problem, and  In February of 2010 we joined tops CT 67 Norwich with the help of each other and the encouragement of our TOPS friends we are both first place winner!

Div 2 - 1^st Place - 49.25 pounds

Catherine Wilson

TOPS CT 00165, Killingly

Today, wouldn't have been possible without the support, accountability and encouragement of my TOPS friends in the Killingly chapter.  We're a small group with a big heart.  Also, a heartfelt thanks to my sister, Joyce.

I started with the My Day One booklet and chose my mission statement, "Develop a passion for living well spiritually, physically, and mentally".

I set simple goals.  There was no diet, but instead a healthier lifestyle.  More whole natural foods replaced the salty, sugary and processed ones.  I got myself moving. Let's all march toward a winning lifestyle - One Day, One Choice at a time.

Div 2 - 2^nd Place - 41.75 pounds

Susan Bradley

TOPS CT 0084, Westbrook

Div 3 - 1^st Place - 61.25 pounds

Candace Jankiewicz

TOPS CT 0084, Westbrook

Div 3 - 2^nd Place - 50.00 pounds

Gina Benea

TOPS CT 0157, Windsor Locks

I got my wake up call from my doctor.  I have a husband and fur kids to think about.  I was told if I wanted to see them grow older, I better get healthy. My first thought was TOPS.  I had been going to TOPS on and off for years.  They were supportive through gains and losses.  I learned to eat without skipping meals.  Exercise because my friend and I learned to love the scale.  I'm half way to my goal and I know with the support of my TOPS friends and family, I will complete my journey.

Div 5 - 1^st Place - 16.50 pounds

Gretchen Hyneckael

TOPS CT 0094, Prospect

I had tried over and over again to lose weight on my own, but it didn't work.  Even though I knew what I should be doing, I couldn't lose the weight without a support group.

Once I joined TOPS, I began filling out a calorie chart and paying more attention to what I was eating.  Being accountable at a weigh in every week helped me so much.  Getting encouragement from other members was so important to me.

When I first started to lose, I felt so good about myself that it was easy to continue.  I lost a little weight every week until I reached my goal.  I thank God for putting me in touch with such an uplifting organization.
 

Div 6 - 1^st Place - 45.50 pounds

Heather Perry

TOPS CT 0067, Norwich

I've been over weight all my life. I tried going on a diet when I was younger but, I always traded my carrot sticks for a Little Debbie's Cosmic brownie at school. Every time I visited my endocrinologist I would always weigh more then my last visit. During one of my visits she told me that heavier people die earlier. That's when it hit me that I needed to change my eating habits. So my Mother and I joined TOPS CT 67, Norwich and the encouragement of the members helped me lose weight.

Div 9 - 1^st Place - 89.25 pounds

Lori Andrews

TOPS CT 0125, Danielson

I started with TOPS CT0125, Danielson in January of 1993 with my mother in-law so that she would not have to go it alone.  Within three meetings, I knew this was something I could do to change my life.  My mother in-law stopped coming because of her work schedule, but I continued the meetings.  I kept working at it and working at it.  I attended almost every SRD since joining.  I would say to someone in my chapter "I'll be up on that stage someday".

In December of 2008, I decided to have a look into weight loss surgery.  On August 31, 2009 I had gastric bypass.  People said it was an easy way out, but it has been a very long and hard journey, and the first four months were the hardest.  I never thought that changing my eating habits would be one of the hardest things I would have to do.  BY January of 2010, most of the bad eating habits were under control. My family at home and the family I now have in TOPS have helped me transform into the person I am today.

At my highest weight of 433.75 pounds, I could not even enjoy spending a day outside with my daughters. All I could do was sit and watch while they were playing and having fun.  Now after losing almost 200 pounds, I can live life again and have fun with my daughters as long as they allow me to be around them.

Thank you TOPS, you have been one of the best things that has happened in my life.  Also thank you to TOPS CT 0125, Danielson for being there and for helping me through this journey.  I love you all.

Div 9 - 2^nd Place - 66.00 pounds

Debra Ann Davis

TOPS CT 0134, Danbury