TOPS® QUICK FACTS
TOPS® (Take Off Pounds Sensibly®) is the short name for TOPS Club, Inc., the original, nonprofit,
noncommercial network of weight-loss support groups. TOPS® offers tools and programs for healthy
living and weight management, with exceptional group fellowship and recognition. Mission: The TOPS® mission is to help and support our members as they take off and keep off pounds
sensibl
y. Membership: TOPS members number well over 125,000 (women, men and children), belonging to
thousands of chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Annual dues are $32 in the U.S. and
$36 in Canada, plus nominal chapter fees to cover operating costs—on average, about $5 per month. How It Works: Weekly meetings include private weigh-ins and professionally prepared informational
chapter programs featuring current nutrition, fitness and wellness information. Programs provide
positive reinforcement and motivation to adhere to food and exercise programs. KOPS® (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly®): Goal weight is set in consultation with a member’s healthcare
professional. When TOPS® members reach their weight-loss goal, they are called KOPS®. These
members are maintaining their weight and continuing to attend chapter meetings for accountability and
support as they Keep Off Pounds Sensibly®. More than 20,000 of our members are keeping their
weight off, and many have been recognized with Century Awards for losing more than 100 pounds! Publications: TOPS® publishes Real Life: The Hands-on Pounds-off Guide, a 300-plus page lifestyle
guide featuring practical information on nutrition, fitness, menu planning, recipes, and healthy living. Members receive TOPS News magazine, which is filled with inspirational stories and news. Educational
brochures are available to healthcare professionals and anyone interested in a healthy lifestyle. Experts: TOPS® has experts in the fields of medical research, nutrition, fitness, and psychology. Since
1966, TOPS® has funded obesity and metabolic research at the Medical College of Wisconsin,
providing more than $8 million from earnings and members to date. Fabulous Figures: Each year, TOPS® members collectively lose more than 400 TONS! See our
Fabulous Figures & Obesity Statistics handout for more current information. Operations: Founded in 1948, TOPS® is administered by a nine-member Board of Directors. Nearly
500 Field Staff assist volunteer chapter Leaders to help and support our members. Contact TOPS® Headquarters: 4575 South Fifth Street, Milwaukee, WI 53207; 800-932-8677 or
414-482-4620; www.tops.org (Click “Find a Meeting” to locate a chapter near you!)
