Local TOPS Chapter Promotes Healthy Habits, Community Support in Nashville

TOPS1573 Nashville opened its December 3 meeting with pledges, award recognitions and guidance aimed at sustaining healthy behavior change across the community. Bonnie Porter was named best weekly and monthly loser, while Lana Rush was recognized as the best weekly and monthly KOPS. The club is continuing the Easy as A B C 26 Day Healthy Eating Contest, a group effort designed to promote healthier eating patterns among members.

Porter presented material from the TOPS website titled "12 Tips on How To Mentally Prepare for Weight Loss." The program urged members to establish realistic goals and to build a support system, to confront food addictions and to maintain a positive attitude. It recommended setting small, achievable goals alongside a detailed action plan, removing destructive habits and keeping a journal of food intake and exercise to track progress and stay accountable.

The chapter meets at the Nashville Global Methodist Church on Wednesdays at 5 30 p.m., with weigh in beginning at 5 p.m. The first meeting is free, lowering the entry barrier for residents who may be managing tight budgets or uncertain about joining a group program.

Local public health implications are significant. Community based weight management groups provide social support that can improve adherence to lifestyle changes, which in turn can reduce local rates of obesity related illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Mental preparation and small step planning are evidence aligned strategies that can make behavior change more sustainable than short term dieting alone. For Holmes County, where access to affordable wellness programs can be uneven, neighborhood meetings that waive initial fees and meet in familiar community spaces help address equity concerns.

Sustained impact will depend on accessibility, transportation and ongoing support for participants beyond contest periods. Partnerships between community groups like TOPS1573 and local health providers or public health agencies could help expand reach, connect participants with nutrition resources and address broader social determinants of health. For residents seeking a local, volunteer based option for weight management and mutual support, TOPS1573 continues to offer a regular meeting and an entry free session to get started.