State Recognition Days for the Take Off Pounds Sensibly weight loss group was May 3 and May 4 in St. Cloud.  Three hundred members of the international organization met to celebrate the biggest losers in the state. Albert Lea was represented at the event. 

According to a press release, members of the Albert Lea community were recognized on the stage for their success in losing weight and becoming healthier.   

Fran Heilman was the second-place division one winner with a loss of 51.6 pounds in 2018.

Fern Rockwell and Darlene Hauge reached their individual doctor-appointed weight loss goals and are now members that are Keeping off Pounds Sensibly.

Jason Heilman is the leader of the Minnesota 1829 chapter that had the best average weight loss per member of 21.8 pounds.

Mary Louise Wirkus was recognized as the Minnesota state queen for her weight lost in 2018, and her husband, Daniel Wirkus, who was also a division winner, was crowned Minnesota state king. Together, the couple lost over 100 pounds in 2018. They are the first married couple in the state of Minnesota to be crowned in the same year.

These winners will have their results compared to those across the United States and Canada to see if they are in the running to be an international winner. International winners will be crowned July 13 and July 14 in Portland, Oregon.

TOPS is an international weight loss support organization that was started over 70 years ago in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its main purpose is to promote sensible weight loss through weekly accountability meetings that provide support and encouragement to its members. Albert Lea has four individual chapters that meet in small groups.

Groups meet at 5:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Trinity Church, 1 p.m. Wednesdays at First Lutheran Church, 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at First Lutheran Church and 8:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Senior Center in Skyline Plaza. All that it takes for someone to start their own group is four people and a place to meet.

Heilman is an area Captain in TOPS and can help people start their own small group or can get individuals in contact with any of the groups in the area. Anyone who is interested in the group can visit www.TOPS.org for more information.