2009 Kansas State Queen

Bonnie Voegeli

TOPS® KS 414, Valley Center
lost 93.50 pounds to goal!

SUCCESS STORY

For 9 years I sat in the exact seats you are sitting in, wondering why I couldn’t achieve my goal.  Every year I would leave here inspired to become the healthy person I have always dreamed of.  I guess I just expected it to happen on its own.  Then, on my doctor’s recommendation, I joined a medically assisted weight loss program.  But I went with the thought in mind that she would wave a magic wand over me and I would drop my weight instantly.  Well guess what…that didn’t happen.  As it turns out, I had to change my eating habits completely…I mean COMPLETELY!  My motto became “Kick those Carbs to the Curb!”…the best advice I’ve ever received.  Then I had to learn about nutrition…what sugar does to your body and how eating protein curbs your appetite and stabilizes your blood sugar.  It’s really a very simple formula.  Sometimes we tend to ignore the obvious and let our feelings at the moment dictate what we do.  Have a plan, or plan to fail.  To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also DREAM; not only plan, but also BELIEVE.

I want to thank my TOPS chapter, 414, Valley Center for their love, laughter and support, my sidekick and best friend, Vicki Keimig for all she does for my chapter and my favorite weight recorder and long time KOPS for all her threats in the weight room, and my husband, Randy for all his love and support and for changing his lifestyle right along with me on the journey to a healthier life.  Because we completely changed our food choices I am now 93 ½ lbs lighter, my husband is 80 lbs lighter, and my son Ben is 50 lbs lighter.  What a difference knowing how to eat and exercising can make!

So, I’m honored to be your state queen, however…I don’t want this to be just about me.  I want it to be about each and every one of you and your HEALTHY future.  When you leave her today, I want you to know that YOU can be on this stage, YOU can be living the life that you want, and NO ONE is standing in your way but you.  You have to reach deep inside and say you want this.  Not just for you, but for your spouse, children, and grandchildren.  What you do sets an example for everyone around you.  You can better not only your own life, but the lives of others.  You’ve got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough, I can have it.  It’s called…PERSEVERANCE!

TOPS love to all.  Now go show the world what you can do!

Bonnie Voegeli,

Kansas State Queen 2009

  Before                        After

2009 Kansas State King

SUCCESS STORY

“My Marathon”

Something clicked in my head!  How often have you heard that in success stories?

After 25 years of being morbidly obese, something clicked!  On August 4, 2008 I weighed in at 493 pounds at our TOPS meeting.  I wavered between that and 478 through December 2008.  This is when I became aware of how bad I was really doing!  I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and poor circulation in my lower legs.  I was worn out all the time!  When I went to Wal-Mart to do the shopping, I needed to lean on the cart as soon as I got one and had to lean on it the entire trip.  By the time I made it to the check-out counter, I was dripping in sweat!

I was tired of being pointed at by little kids who said “Look mommy, there’s a really fat man!”  At least some kids didn’t know how rude they were…..adults did.  I was at a company golf tournament once when a bike rider rode by and yelled “Oh my God!  Get out of that cart and walk!”  There is no describing how humiliating that was.

At this time, I also had witnessed a friend of mine, Bonnie Voegeli (our TOPS leader); lose 30 pounds in 3 months on a doctor supervised low carb diet.  I began following the diet she was on and began the marathon on December 23, 2008.  That is how I view this journey, a long slow marathon!  In just two short weeks at our January 6, 2009 meeting, I was already back down to 478.

I was eating 1,000-1,200 calories and keeping my carb count under 25g a day.  As a part of this diet, I fill out a food journal and drink at least 120 ounces of water daily.  I knew I couldn’t keep making excuses for my weight, so at the first TOPS meeting of the year on January 6, I presented an idea of including NMX on the front of our TOPS shirts.  This stands for NO MORE EXCUSES!  Shortly thereafter, Bonnie and Vicki (our co-leader) came up with a cheer that we say every time someone has a gain.  I started to exercise.  It wasn’t much, just 15 minutes 3 times a week on an exercise bike.

Fast forward to the present and I take 3-5 spin classes a week, lift weights 3 times a week and walk/jog 3 miles in 36 minutes 4-5 times a week.

My loss to goal is 251 Pounds, and I have gone from size 66 pants to a 36!  I am proud to say I have not had a gain week since this marathon began!  Needless to say, the Wal-Mart trips are a breeze now, and yes, my wife is even exercising and eating healthy with me!  My blood pressure is normal and the sleep apnea is gone!  I have my life back!  I have my confidence back!  Thank you TOPS!

Before                                       After