WEST FARGO, N.D. (TOPS) – TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly SM ), is a nonprofit weight-loss support organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is unveiling its “royalty” for 2024.
TOPS ® royalty are women and men who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their highest weight at TOPS by the end of 2024 and reached their goal weight, regardless of the time taken to achieve their goal. Barbara Opoien of West Fargo, who lost 55.4 pounds, is the 2024 North Dakota Queen. She was honored May 2-3, 2025, at the North Dakota recognition event at the Ramada Inn in Fargo, ND.
With an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness, TOPS provides consistent group support, health education, and recognition to encourage successful weight management. North Dakota has an adult obesity rate of 35.6%, and in 2024, TOPS members in North Dakota lost a cumulative 842 pounds.
“All of us affiliated with TOPS are extremely proud of our members’ weight-loss accomplishments,” said Rick Danforth, TOPS President. “Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can commemorate their life-changing successes, other members, and those who have preceded them. By continuing their faithfulness to lifestyle alterations, a characteristic of TOPS’ successful formula, TOPS members employ the methods they’re offered and the support of their peers to achieve their weight loss objectives.”
Barb Opoien was named TOPS 2024 North Dakota Queen, below is her testimonial about the organization.
“I’ve been a TOPS member since September of 2023, and learned dieting isn’t a piece of cake, but rather a successful diet is the triumph of mind over platter. I joined TOPS following a routine visit with my primary care provider when she informed me I was pre-diabetic. I decided I didn’t want my pre-diabetes to become full-fledged diabetes. I also knew I was carrying excess weight, which I could feel in my knees, so much so that I had considered moving from my split-level home. My introduction to TOPS started a new relationship with food and living a healthy lifestyle. The encouragement I received from my fellow TOPS members, as well as my family and friends, kept me on track with the goals I had set forth, which wasn’t always an easy task. The theme of “Back to Basics” with exercise, reducing carbs, and overall healthier choices soon began to show great results in both my physical and emotional health. I began to navigate my stairs with minimal discomfort, I had increased endurance with exercise and a general overall feeling of well-being. I thought up things I could reward myself with, so I decided that for every ten pounds I lost, I would purchase a new, better-fitting article of clothing! A little treat for accomplishing my goals! In summary, I wouldn’t be where I am today without the basics that TOPS has provided for me. I learned that small steps, one day at a time, don’t beat yourself up, if you fall off, just get back up and all those sayings are true. The constant reinforcement from my TOPS group and those around me who provided constant encouragement helped me to continue my journey. I’m grateful to have found the TOPS program, because TOPS helped me become my best self.”
Barb Opoien
In-person or online weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, with members then sharing challenges, successes, or goals. A brief program covering a variety of health and wellness topics follows and may conclude with awards and recognition for the week. Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and are encouraged to try more than one chapter since they’re all a little different. For online membership, meetings are conducted via Zoom and are offered at least five times weekly. The meeting starts with members disclosing challenges, successes, or goals. Next, the online facilitator presents a prepared program that sometimes includes guest speakers sharing expert views on
fitness, nutrition, and more. Meetings conclude with action steps related to the presented program.
Today, there are about 65,000 members, including men, women, and international members, who join chapter meetings online, with thousands of chapters in all 50 states and Canada. TOPS also has an online program for people who might prefer that model or who live too far away to attend in-person chapter meetings. Online resources include news and information from the health and inspirational community, meal planning ideas, workouts, chapter resources, and more.
Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. Membership is affordable, starting at $70 USD per year, plus nominal chapter fees. Visit tops.org or call 800-932-8677 to learn more about
TOPS and to find a local chapter.
