TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a non-profit weight loss support group that’s been around for 70 years. Founded in 1948 by Esther Manz, around a table with a couple of friends and her cousin’s wife, TOPS grew to 2,500 members in 1951 and now boasts thousands of chapters throughout the U.S and Canada.

Nancy Murray, a nurse case manager, leads the Thompson Falls chapter. “I struggled with being heavy my whole life. I began going to TOPS in Missoula in 2017, the group became my cheerleaders and in nine months I lost 60 pounds,” said Murray. Crowned Queen in 2018, at the State Recognition Days in Great Falls for losing the most total weight for the year, Murray has been able to maintain her goal weight. One of the perks of the program is being able to see friends she has made at the events, “It’s like a whole new family.”

Murray shared a quote she’s fond of from Linda Bursell, “Doctors give you the diet, TOPS gives you the do it.” Bursell is the Area Captain for N.W. Montana.

Both men and women are welcome to join TOPS. Murray said that the only requirement is to weigh-in privately once a week; this is to hold oneself accountable, she explained. “Not one diet works for everyone; we’re mostly about education on how to be healthy and to learn from each other,” commented Murray. When a member reaches their goal weight they get to go through a graduation ceremony and the member's status changes to KOPS (Keep Off Weight Sensibly).

Seeing others reach their goals keeps Murray going. “I want to inspire others. I want others to feel the happiness that I have felt.”

The Thompson Falls Chapter meets Fridays at 11:30 at the Thompson Falls Community Congregational Church. Murray said that it's free to attend the first meeting and then the annual cost is $38, which helps pay for literature and state and national events.