DELTON, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As many across the U.S. struggle with weight loss, a West Michigan man managed to lose 32 pounds through a non-profit program called TOPS, which stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly.
It’s a non-commercial weight loss, education and support organization. As a result, Russel Byers of Delton was named the 2019 TOPS Division 4 second-place winner. This means that Byers lost the second most amount of weight when compared to all other male TOPS members in the U.S. and Canada with a starting weight of 150, but less than 200 pounds.
Byers attributes his weight loss success to the support received from his fellow TOPS members along with portion control and regular exercise.
Michigan obesity statistics:
- 33% of the adult population in the state is obese
- There are 299 TOPS chapters in Michigan
- In 2019, they lost a total of 39,233 pounds
Obesity can cause an array of medical conditions including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
TOPS has been fighting obesity since its founding in 1948.
