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Community Corner

Keeping It Off

Take Off Pounds revels a healthy, robust 48th anniversary in aiding members.

In 2003, Michael McNicholas weighed 400 pounds. He walked with a cane, burdened by the weight.

Since then, however, McNicholas has dropped 175 pounds, thanks to his family, a dietician and the group Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), which celebrated its 48th anniversary this summer.

"One hundred and seventy-five pounds is nothing to sneeze at—that's my wife, and some of my son," said McNicholas, now the leader of the Skokie men's chapter of TOPS.

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"The first week I started the group, I did nothing earth-shattering. Lay off the pop, lay off the fatty snacks, and walk around a little bit," he said. "I lost eight pounds and said, 'This is for me.' I lost 70 pounds the first year. "

Unlike most weight loss programs, the goal of TOPS isn't necessarily to lose weight, but rather to provide methods to avoid eating fatty or sugary foods and target the emotions that trigger poor decisions.

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"Food intake is often tied to your emotions," McNicholas said. "You feel sad so you eat, you feel angry so you eat, or you feel happy so you eat."

The group meets Sundays at North Shore University Health System, 9600 Gross Point Road, where members are asked to weigh in weekly. Those who decline to step on the scale are fined $2. While it isn't much, McNicholas said paying the $2 is a reminder of why people attent in the first place.

"If I can do it, anyone can," he said. "I don't really have willpower or anything like that. This has enabled me to make a strategy."

A women's group also meets in Skokie every Thursday at 6 p.m. in the basement of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 8031 Laramie Ave.

"If you want to lose weight, come," said Gladys Panatieri, leader of the Skokie women's chapter of TOPS.

TOPS is a national non-profit organization established in 1948. It offers weekly group meetings for members to exchange tips on eating right and staying active. The group as a whole reviews weight loss numbers each week. The community of friendly, frank people trying to find the best personal solutions to reach their individual health goals are required to pay a small yearly membership.

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