As we bid farewell to another year and anticipate the arrival of a new one, it prompts contemplation. When considering priorities for the upcoming year, the instinct to take better care of our body’s natural surfaces. Many of you might resonate with the collective sigh, “I've resolved to prioritize health through diet and exercise for several years running – yet here I am again, with little to no lasting progress.”
Fear not friends, and do not let discouragement find its mark. I am here to reassure you that it is never too late to make that resolution stick.
Meet Jan Pettit, crowned as the Nevada Queen by TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) earlier this year. TOPS, an international non-profit weight-loss organization, utilizes an individualized weight loss and overall wellness approach. Jan, shedding an impressive 104 pounds, along with Joseph De Guise of Pahrump, who lost 25.4 pounds, were named the Nevada TOPS Queen and King for the past year – officially recording the most weight loss at the end of the year from their starting weight, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal.
Jan embarked on her weight loss journey in 1973 in Colorado, reaching an all-time high of 289 pounds. Seeking guidance and support, she found herself at a TOPS meeting. There, she received consistent group support, health education, and recognition – vital components of TOPS's successful weight management. Within a year of joining, Jan triumphantly lost 99 pounds. However, like many on their weight loss journey, she could not keep the weight off permanently.
In 1975, Jan relocated to Fallon, where she was again invited to a TOPS meeting and began working to reclaim a healthier weight. The journey, however, was difficult. “My weight continued to go up and down,” Jan shared. “I eventually got a job and had to quit TOPS as the meeting times did not align with my work schedule.”
A three-decade hiatus followed before Jan would rediscover her path back to TOPS in 2005. Approaching weight loss from a more urgent perspective, Jan's health, teetering on the edge at 274 pounds, demanded a change. “My life depended on it,” she exclaimed.
Staying active played a pivotal role in Jan's weight loss. Over the years, she embraced activities such as swimming, aerobics, walking, gardening, and, in her youth, sledding with her children.
The culmination of Jan's patience, commitment, and hard work is commendable. Despite the inevitable challenges accompanying age, Jan persevered in pursuing her weight loss goals. “My age is catching up with me, but as I lost the weight, I found I could climb stairs more easily without getting out of breath like I used to,” she acknowledged. “Some things are harder to do now that I have reached my golden years, but they are still easier to do than when I was carrying around all that extra weight.”
TOPS President Rick Danforth applauds members like Jan for their weight-loss achievements, stating, “By continuing their commitment to personal lifestyle changes, a hallmark of TOPS' winning formula, members utilize the tools and assistance from their peers to achieve their weight loss goals.” According to TOPS, Nevada has an adult obesity rate of 31.3%. During 2022, TOPS members in Nevada lost a cumulative 1,583 pounds.
Today, Jan exudes confidence and takes pride in herself. Her advice for those navigating the perilous waters of holiday indulgence and the ongoing battle with the scale is straightforward: “Eat what you like but in moderation.” She suggests starting with smaller portions by using a smaller plate, a simple strategy to stave off holiday weight gain.
At the heart of TOPS support lie weekly meetings, whether conducted in-person or online. These gatherings feature optional weigh-ins, shared challenges, successes, or goals, and a brief program covering various health and wellness topics. Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and are encouraged to explore different chapters.
Jan offers encouragement to those embarking on their weight loss journey and those navigating the middle stretch: “Always eat sensibly and continue to keep moving.”
As we stand at the cusp of a new year, may Jan's journey inspire us. May her commitment to a healthier lifestyle remind us that it is never too late to make that resolution stick.
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