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May 14. 2012 10:44PM
From left, Mark Papatones, Mim Sprague and Wesley Hewins, all members of Manchester Chapter 1, celebrated another year with the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program during a state recognition ceremony at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church in Rochester Saturday. (John Quinn Photo)
Take Off Pounds Sensibly earns three top honors
From left, Mark Papatones, Mim Sprague and Wesley Hewins, all members of Manchester Chapter 1, celebrated another year with the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) program during a state recognition ceremony at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church in Rochester Saturday. (John Quinn Photo)
ROCHESTER — Two brothers who lost a total of 144 pounds in 2011 will represent New Hampshire and Maine during the national convention of the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) Club later this year.
This Saturday, Wesley Hewins of Manchester and Susan Achille of Peterborough were recognized during the annual state recognition days for losing the most weight – 52¾ and 93½ pounds respectively — in New Hampshire.
Meanwhile Wesley's younger brother, Wayne Hewins, of Hartland, Maine, who lost 90¾ pounds, will soon be named TOPS's king for his state.
“I kind of inspired him to join,” Wayne said, adding the brothers had no way of knowing they would both lose so much weight or earn the top place in their states.
As a result, all three of them will represent their states in San Diego, Calif., along with their counterparts from across the country.
“I look forward to leading the way for others in their journey to health and happiness,” Achille wrote as part of her acceptance speech.
Throughout the weekend, TOPS members throughout the state — all of whom had lost at least 25 pounds — recognized those who lost 100 pounds and kept the weight off for an entire year, those who showed the greatest improvements, the chapters that lost the most weight on average as a whole, and the people who helped inspire others the most.
“It's a good way to celebrate our losses,” said TOPS state coordinator Carolyn “Sooky” Yerger.
Yerger said about 150 members from the 34 N.H. chapters participated in the state recognition days held at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church.
“We're here to support each other,” Yerger said.
TOPS regional coordinator Judy Pettit, who oversees chapters in New England, New York and overseas, praised the commitment members made to themselves, each other and the program.
“Side by side, we can get through anything — especially with our buddies,” Pettit said, adding any journey is easier with a traveling companion.
TOPS International President Barbara Cady of West Virginia said the group, which has been a nonprofit organization since 1948, has more than 170,000 members aged 7 to 97 and continues to support people whether they are losing weight, maintaining a healthy weight set by a doctor, and especially those who gain weight.
“It's entirely a work in progress,” Cady said, adding the program often works with families to start healthy habits at home for a lifetime.
“We have people who have kept the weight off for 65 years,” Cady said.
Cady stressed it's important to remain focused and patient since losing weight is like learning to walk.
“You're not going to get it right all the time,” Cady said. “You're not going to get it right the first time.”
Cady said it's important to accept change, which is hard. As an example, she challenged members to relocate their trashcan just to prove how difficult it is. “We all need to accept responsibility for our choices,” Cady said, adding excuses give away power without helping obtain results.
For more information, visit tops.org.
This Saturday, Wesley Hewins of Manchester and Susan Achille of Peterborough were recognized during the annual state recognition days for losing the most weight – 52¾ and 93½ pounds respectively — in New Hampshire.
Meanwhile Wesley's younger brother, Wayne Hewins, of Hartland, Maine, who lost 90¾ pounds, will soon be named TOPS's king for his state.
“I kind of inspired him to join,” Wayne said, adding the brothers had no way of knowing they would both lose so much weight or earn the top place in their states.
As a result, all three of them will represent their states in San Diego, Calif., along with their counterparts from across the country.
“I look forward to leading the way for others in their journey to health and happiness,” Achille wrote as part of her acceptance speech.
Throughout the weekend, TOPS members throughout the state — all of whom had lost at least 25 pounds — recognized those who lost 100 pounds and kept the weight off for an entire year, those who showed the greatest improvements, the chapters that lost the most weight on average as a whole, and the people who helped inspire others the most.
“It's a good way to celebrate our losses,” said TOPS state coordinator Carolyn “Sooky” Yerger.
Yerger said about 150 members from the 34 N.H. chapters participated in the state recognition days held at Emmanuel Advent Christian Church.
“We're here to support each other,” Yerger said.
TOPS regional coordinator Judy Pettit, who oversees chapters in New England, New York and overseas, praised the commitment members made to themselves, each other and the program.
“Side by side, we can get through anything — especially with our buddies,” Pettit said, adding any journey is easier with a traveling companion.
TOPS International President Barbara Cady of West Virginia said the group, which has been a nonprofit organization since 1948, has more than 170,000 members aged 7 to 97 and continues to support people whether they are losing weight, maintaining a healthy weight set by a doctor, and especially those who gain weight.
“It's entirely a work in progress,” Cady said, adding the program often works with families to start healthy habits at home for a lifetime.
“We have people who have kept the weight off for 65 years,” Cady said.
Cady stressed it's important to remain focused and patient since losing weight is like learning to walk.
“You're not going to get it right all the time,” Cady said. “You're not going to get it right the first time.”
Cady said it's important to accept change, which is hard. As an example, she challenged members to relocate their trashcan just to prove how difficult it is. “We all need to accept responsibility for our choices,” Cady said, adding excuses give away power without helping obtain results.
For more information, visit tops.org.
