Great Falls Man Honored as 2023 TOPS Montana King

The TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a non-profit organization that provides weight-loss support and wellness education. Founded in 1948, it is the only one of its kind and operates without any commercial interests. TOPS encourages successful weight management with a philosophy of “Real People, Real Weight Loss,” which includes support from others through weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information. Currently, the organization has about 65,000 members, including men, women, and international members who participate in chapter meetings online, with thousands of chapters spanning all 50 states and Canada. TOPS also offers an online program for those who prefer it or live too far from in-person chapter meetings. Online resources include news and information from the health and inspirational community, meal planning ideas, workouts, chapter resources, and more.

TOPS takes an individualized approach to weight loss and overall wellness, focusing on consistent group support, health education, and recognition as key components of successful weight management. In Montana, where the adult obesity rate is 30.5%, TOPS members lost a combined total of 2,118 pounds in 2023.

Dennis Turton from Great Falls lost 60.6 pounds through TOPS and was named the 2023 TOPS Montana King, having achieved the most weight loss of any male TOPS member in the state and reaching his goal weight. Dennis attributes his weight loss success to the support he received from his fellow TOPS members.

“I joined TOPS in January 2016, the same chapter my wife has been in since 1983,” explained Dennis. “I weighed 246 pounds and knew I needed to lose weight. I was a diabetic and had several other medical problems. I had many ups and downs in my weight loss journey without ever reaching my goal.”

“In 2022, at State Recognition Days (SRD), I listened to the guest speaker, Brian Logsdon’s motivational speech. I decided that I could seriously lose the weight. By the next SRD in 2023, I came within 14 pounds of my goal and announced I would achieve my KOPS goal. I made it by September 2023,” Dennis continued.

“I accomplished this with the help of my TOPS support group and my wife, Sue. Without their support, I doubt my goal would have been achieved. I also discovered that keeping my goal was a little easier if I put my gains and losses into perspective; change will occur, and I just need to press on with the program. This is not the end of my journey as I pursue new goals to maintain my good health.”

TOPS President Rick Danforth stated, “All of us in TOPS are immensely proud of our members’ weight-loss achievements. Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can honor their life-altering successes, other members, and those who have preceded them. By sticking to lifestyle modifications, a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula, members use the tools and support from their peers to reach their weight loss goals.”

Weekly meetings are at the core of TOPS support, whether in person or online. In-person meetings begin with an optional weigh-in, followed by members sharing challenges, successes, or goals, and conclude with a brief program covering various health and wellness topics, as well as awards and recognition for the week. Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting for free and are encouraged to try out different chapters since they are all unique.

To learn more about TOPS and find a local chapter, you can visit www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677.