It’s complicated

This past Monday we had 12 TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) in attendance. This week we had a net gain of 2.6 pounds this week. We will do better next week. Annette had the best weight loss of 2.6 pounds. Great job, Annette! Donna’s name was drawn for the Two Bit Bowl, so she won two weeks total of quarters. Our Lucky Lotto contest has started and we began the Ladder contest. Everyone is curious as to what is in the new Surprise Box. Our Chapter Challenge this coming week is to “Keep trying every day to be better”.

Our program was titled, “It’s Complicated,” Building a Healthy Relationship with Food.

Much like our relationships with people, our relationships with food can be, well…complicated. In today’s culture, where food is often tied to emotion, identity, and self-worth, many of us develop unhealthy relationships with food and eating. Unhealthy relationships with food impact our physical and mental health, perpetuating cycles of guilt, restriction and overindulgence. However, unlike other potentially toxic relationships, breaking up, or cutting ties with food altogether is impossible. One way to tackle this conundrum is to take a closer look at how our relationships with food develop. Understanding where some of our unhealthy relationships come from, what healthy relationships look like, and how to shift them toward being more healthy, is essential for cultivating a balanced approach to nourishment and overall well-being. There is a wealth of research exploring what truly influences our eating habits. Our members discussed how we developed our habits from when we were growing up. When it comes to food, our views and practices are shaped by cultural and societal norms. A lot of us were raised on farms and our parents were raised during the Depression, so we were taught a young age to ‘clean your plate, there are starving children in China’. How we grow up has a profound impact on how we feel about food. Remember, our relationships with food are similar to those we have with people — they take time to develop and making changes should be approached gradually.

Saturday, March 8, we plan on going to Poteau and meet with several chapters to encourage one another and give out chapter awards for best weight loss, best exerciser, best walker and food diary. The helping hand trophy will also be handed out. The theme for the Southeast Area Gathering will be ‘Favorite Character Movie Night’. Lunch will be provided. We are to dress like our favorite actress or actor. Sallisaw chapter will meet at 8:15am to drive to Poteau.

Beginning Jan. 1, TOPS CLUB INC. membership will increase to $70 a year for first time member, $60 a year for first time renewal member and $48 for second or more renewal members.

We meet at First Christian Church, 706 N Wheeler, Sallisaw, Monday at 10:00am-12pm. We begin weighing at 10:00am and the meeting starts at 11 am and ends at 12. For more info, please call Billie at 918-413-1383. We look forward to meeting you.