December is stuffed full of holiday parties, dinners and cookie exchange indulgences. That means January inevitably leads to weight-loss resolutions and ads for expensive gimmicks to lose weight in the new year. 

Do they even work? Is losing weight impossible in one’s senior years? You may think your metabolism has slowed to I-25 traffic jam levels, but there is still hope for shedding pounds.

100+ LBS. LOST AND MAINTAINED

Ernestine Orthwein, 82, began attending TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) when she was in her 50s. She had long struggled with her weight. Despite at times weighing over 300 pounds, she held down various jobs around the Springs—which, she says, would have been easier without carrying extra weight. Orthwein has faithfully attended TOPS meetings for 28 years and admits it probably saved her life. 

“I’m healthier now than I was when I started,” she said.

TOPS rewards its members’ weight-loss efforts, and Orthwein has earned numerous awards. But the best one was the Century Award she won this year while attending the State Recognition Days in Golden. She was one of only three attendees who had lost 100 pounds and kept it off for a year. Orthwein is an excellent seamstress who tailors her clothes to fit when she drops sizes.

“Losing weight when you’re older is a slow process,” Orthwein acknowledged. But her doctor advised that a little at a time is best. She typically loses ½ to three pounds weekly. 

“I wouldn’t give up,” Orthwein said. “If I gained a pound or two, I’d work extra hard, drink more water.”  

Gimmicks? No. Just the fundamentals: the support of her TOPS group, the fun contests, portion control, journaling her food intake, eating a good breakfast, cutting down on sugar and eschewing foods high in salt so she won’t retain water weight have kept her winning at losing. And the lady’s got grit! Her perseverance made it all possible. Her senior years held one silver lining when it came to weight loss. 

“I don’t get as hungry as I used to,” she claimed.

Rachel McKinney, 77, agrees that the years ticking by means weight loss and maintenance requires extra effort. She has attended TOPS meetings for six years. 

“A year and a half after I joined TOPS, I became a KOPS,” McKinney said. KOPS is Keep Off Pounds Sensibly. McKinney has maintained her targeted weight.

“But that is much harder than losing it to begin with,” McKinney said, so she relies on her group’s unwavering support.

A SUPPORT GROUP, NOT A DIET

Most weight-loss groups tell their adherents exactly what to eat. But TOPS is different, offering support, not a regimen. Most TOPS members are seniors. The average age is 60-70 (though every age is welcome). Accountability is paramount, as is addressing emotional eating and commiserating with others who understand the specific challenge of dropping pounds when older. 

TOPS International, a non-profit organization, recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. It started around the kitchen table of Esther Manz from Wisconsin in 1948. Three years later, membership had grown to 6,000. Then, as now, most hear about it through word of mouth.

TOPS, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has helped millions take off pounds sensibly over the years. TOPS maintains strong ties to the medical community and believes in healthy living from the inside out. It emphasizes a holistic approach to wellness, with no fad diets or shortcuts. Support and top-tier resources are its backbone, and events like the annual Fall Rally drum up excitement for members.

On-line groups are available. But TOPS was built on peer-to-peer gatherings, and they have never forgotten the value of meeting face to face. The first meeting is free. After that, annual dues are only $49-$79, depending on the resources chosen. Every package includes weekly meetings, tips and a bi-monthly member magazine full of members’ personal stories, recipes, menu options and more.

METHODS VARY, BUT ATTITUDE IS KEY

Rebecca Walker, 46, is the “advocate” for 10 groups in El Paso County (out of 63 total chapters in Colorado). She performs wellness checks to ensure each group runs correctly. When she joined TOPS in 2000, she was in her 20s with two children. Since joining, she had two more pregnancies—she was a “Stork” in TOPS speak. It’s another time in life when losing weight is extra-challenging, and the how-to varies widely.

“Everyone’s body is different,” she acknowledged. 

Walker cites the reasonable cost and not adhering to a certain meal plan or buying specific food as benefits. 

“It’s not a one-size-fits-all weight loss,” Walker punned. 

But the real help lies in connecting with others struggling to shed extra pounds.

“We all need encouragement,” Walker said. “When you’re part of TOPS, you are family.” If you’re traveling in the U.S. or Canada, you may attend a group, and you’ll be welcomed. 

Orthwein isn’t resting on her accomplishments. She’s determined to shed the remaining 30 pounds her doctor recommended she lose. Whether you rely on portion control as she did or another method entirely, attitude is everything.

“Don’t give up!” Orthwein advised. “You need to have the right mindset. If you gain a pound or two, just know you’re going to lose it the next week or the week after. You’re going to get there eventually.”

For more info, visit the TOPS website. 

LOCAL TOPS GROUPS

Church in the Wildwood

10585 Ute Pass Ave.,
Green Mountain Falls

Thursdays at 10 a.m. 

Advocate for this group only: 

Christine V. O’Maley

[email protected]

719-660-1123

Advocate for all other groups: 

Rebecca J. Walker

[email protected]

719-331-2815

Mondays

Woofermuff Dog Training Center

8025 Toltec Lane, 9 a.m.

Good Shepherd United
Methodist Church

1201 Leta Drive, 6 p.m.

Phil Long Ford

1212 Motor City Drive, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesdays

Sunrise United Methodist Church

2655 Briargate Blvd., room 206; 10:15 a.m.

Ascent Church

4870 Flintridge Drive, 5 p.m.

Peoples United Methodist Church

5110 Tamlin Road, 6 p.m.

Thursdays

Faith Lutheran Church

315 Security Blvd., 9 a.m.

Member’s Home

7325 Tilden Street, 11:15 a.m.

Fridays

Holy Cross Lutheran Church

4125 Constitution Ave., 9:30 a.m.

Saturdays

Northeast Bible Chapel

1722 McArthur Ave., room 10; 9 a.m.