PRINCETON, WV (WOAY) – Belinda Honaker’s lifelong battle with her weight has been transformed, thanks to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) club.
The Princeton woman says she finally found something that worked (64.8 pounds later). And the weight-loss support organization recently honored her as its 2023 West Virginia Queen.
“Of all the West Virginians I was the one that lost the most; I was shocked at first,” Honaker said. “It’s a big accomplishment when you really get down to it. It’s a lot to go through. It was a hard struggle but it paid off.”
She started with the TOPS weight-loss support organization in May 2023 and went on a low-calorie, low-carb diet. By August she had dropped down to her goal weight.
“Support (has) a lot to do with losing weight. You need the encouragement,” said Honaker. “We usually meet like once a week on Tuesdays, we have a good time. It’s kind of like after a while you’re like family.”
To maintain her weight loss Belinda says she tries to eat healthier every day and always gets moving.
“I try to walk every day at least a mile, get some exercise, motivate myself to get up and go,” said Honaker.
She says TOPS meetings are a great source of strength.
“They’ll support you and encourage you. If you gain a pound they don’t shame you, you’re not ridiculed,” Honaker said. “And it’s done in private. No one knows but the weight recorder what you weigh.”
For weight loss, you also need a committed mindset.
“It’s something every day you struggle with. You have to realize ‘I can’t go back to the way I was’ or you’ll start putting the weight back on and you’ll be back where you started,” said the 2023 West Virginia Queen. “Continue eating healthy — more vegetables and fruits and away from the sugars and the sodas.”
Previously Belinda tried all kinds of diets.
“I’d go a week or two and do really good,” Honaker said. “And then it’s like you kind of lose steam and go back to where you were.”
But she says TOPS is different.
“If you go every week, you have to give account for yourself and that keeps me motivated,” said the 2023 West Virginia queen.
