Fletcher's Thom Gauthier said he's struggled with trying to lose weight for many years, but now he's finally found something that's worked — and is more rewarding than he could ever imagine.
In 2021, Gauthier, who turns 74 in October, decided to join TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support organization, after going to one of its meetings with two of his friends. In the second year of the program in 2022, Gauthier earned the title of North Carolina TOPS King after losing the most weight (53.6 pounds) by any male TOPS member in the state, according to a news release.
He and Charlotte's Trudy Odom, who was named the N.C. TOPS Queen for losing 151 pounds, were honored at the North Carolina state recognition event held May 5-6 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Charlotte.
Gauthier said he felt welcomed right away when he went to that first TOPS meeting two years ago.
"I asked two great friends of mine, Mary Jayne and Connie, who are TOPS members, if I could join them at a chapter meeting in Mills River. I felt instantly at home and joined TOPS in 2021," he said in the release. "TOPS provides me love and peer support on this weight journey, accountability to myself and to the chapter, and inspiration from member’s stories, challenges, disappointments and successes."
Gauthier said he had always struggled with keeping weight off and had tried everything.
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"I have tried the fad diets, weight clubs, pills, shots, etc., always to lose the weight yet gain it back, adding an additional 50-75 pounds almost yearly. I became a fast food junkie and sugar addict. I knew where the 'all-night' convenience stores and fast food joints were located in every city I’ve ever lived. I needed my daily fix of greasy food-full of sugar and unhealthy carbohydrates," he said. "After major holidays I bought shopping bags full of the half-off sugar laden, discontinued products. I dealt with life’s major stressors, from multiple cross county moves, job changes, deaths, serious health issues, relationship problems and retirement by emotional eating of unhealthy foods, secretly becoming miserable, depressed and desperate. I needed a total lifestyle change to stay alive and thrive."
TOPS was his answer, he said.
"TOPS teaches me basic nutritional guidance, practical applicable information on food preparation, and the benefits of exercise. I’m learning I can make healthy food and lifestyle choices, change my language and attitudes about weight and in turn, be free from the power that foods hold over me," he said. "Gone from my closet are my old business suits and blazers in four sizes to cover my girth. My blood pressure and sugars are stable and I no longer require my pre-diabetes medication. Today, I’m still a work in progress, constantly learning new ideas, how to maintain a healthy life and my TOPS goal weight."
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According to the news release, during 2022, TOPS members in North Carolina lost a cumulative 5,466 pounds.
“We are tremendously proud of our TOPS members’ weight-loss accomplishments,” said TOPS President Rick Danforth in the release. “Through their TOPS membership, these individuals are able to celebrate their own life-altering accomplishments, as well as of other members and those that have come before them.
Memberships start at $49 per year in the U.S. and $59 annually in Canada, plus nominal monthly chapter fees. For more information or to find a local chapter, go to www.tops.org, or call 800-932-8677.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at [email protected]. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
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