Beginning at the age of 25, I slowly gained weight. For about the next 20 years, I went through a cycle of gaining weight and then losing it. In October 2003, after weighing my highest ever at 197 pounds, I joined Taking Off Pounds Sensibly in Philomath. TOPS is an international weight loss/management support group, and it has chapters in Linn and Benton counties.

I lost 75 pounds, and had gone from a size 18 to a size 6 by February 2006. I attribute much of my success to the support of my family and the wonderful TOPS ladies in my chapter. I have also changed my eating habits, and I exercise five days a week. My exercise routine consists of walking aerobics with the Leslie Sansone DVDs, and I have also added the Wii Fit to my regimine. I have managed to maintain my goal weight for over three years, which is a great feeling.

I received a Keep Off Pounds Sensibly status in February 2006, which was four months before I turned 50 years old. I had known about TOPS for years, as I had driven my grandmother to her TOPS group when I was about 17. For anyone who would like to lose pounds sensibly, I would encourage them to find a TOPS group to join.

For more information, see www.tops.org.

Debbie Graeber lives in Corvallis.