DO IT FOR YOU!

By Judy Patt Hall, April 2006

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 All of us here share the very same fate

We all want to lose or maintain some weight

No matter the day or time or the seasons

We want to get fit for so many reasons

We do it for vanity, or ego or pride

We want to look our best when going outside

We do it for health to ward off disease

To ease pain in our backs and shoulders and knees

We do it for doctors or husbands or wives

It feels like we’ll diet the rest of our lives

When we do it for others it’s often a lie

We diet in public and eat on the sly

You’ll succeed at your task, it is very true

When you don’t do it for others, just do it for you!

Do it for more time to spend with your kin

Think often how good you will feel when you’re thin

Do it for pain free days you will spend

Think of the energy you’ll have to expend

You can do all the things that once were so easy

Climb five flights of stairs without getting wheezy

You’ll find satisfaction in riding a bike

Or swimming, or knitting or taking a hike

So whenever you start to put food to your lips

Think of how much will stay on your hips

Be good to yourself and start a new plan

Today tell yourself “I can, I can, I can

I’m not losing weight for my whole family

I’m doing it now to take care of ME!

But remember whenever the task seems in vain

You’re not alone with your trials and your pain

Your TOPS friends are here to help you lose weight

To encourage, applaud and help motivate

So as you do it for you you’ll also help others

All of us here are sisters and brothers!

Hope, Faith and TOPS

By Judy Hall, Inspiration June 2006

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Last Inspiration I left feeling so high

My hopes and my goals nearly reached to the sky

I was sure I could make all these pounds melt away

I would be the best winner on the next meeting day

I vowed each day  I’d plan a healthy meal

And started to exercise with vigor and zeal

My family and friends gave me their love

I was certain I was guided by angels above

Each week as I eagerly stepped on the scale

I found that my efforts were of little avail

With determination I would permit no defeat

Perhaps I shouldn’t be eating that treat

I started a food plan I followed each day

Planning what I would eat along the way

But the next time I weighed in, the loss was so small

I feared I had accomplished nothing at all

Then I decided to count calories

Skimming my intake would surely be a breeze

But I didn’t bother to count every bite

Just counted the meals I ate every night

When Goddess scale showed the truth once more

I went home less confident than ever before

So I started to look up the count before I ate

And finally was sure I could lose all that weight

Life seemed to me to travel too fast

I could see no purpose for me as time passed

My children were grown, I was no longer needed

What did it matter if I failed or succeeded

So the weeks have flown by and I am here with regret

I did not lose the pounds I desired to as yet

So should I stay home I wondered this morning

Then a flash of insight hit me with no warning

These last weeks of trying have taught me so much

Like how very important is compassion and touch

When a friend is discouraged, just holding a hand

Can accomplish much more than a harsh, bold command

I started to exercise just doing my best

Then found I could do more and pass any test

Now I start each day working out

I am feeling so much stronger, I just want to shout

 I learned about health and nutrition too

And when I followed a plan what good it would do

But when I fell down, I need not feel sad

I had many friends show me it’s not so bad

I began to write and try to help others

TOPS showed me we are all sisters and brothers

I learned we all struggle, but are never alone

We win or we lose, with no need to atone

I am so moved by what I see here today

You all hold the key to control what we weigh

You make me want to be the best I can be

Thank you TOPS for a healthier me.