Lee Hibbard

Division 7 2nd Place

St John's, Michigan

144 pound loss

"As I neared my sixtieth birthday and weighed over 400 pounds, I knew it was time to make some life changes.”

“I joined TOPS and started my weight-loss journey. At my first meeting, I weighed 427 pounds. I started a journal to keep track of what I ate. I cut my calories to between 1,500 and 1,800 per day. I cut out diet soda and now drink 12 glasses of water per day, instead. I slowly started to exercise, adding a little more time and intensity each week. I’ve increased my goal and, this fall, hope to complete the DALMAC Quint (a five-day, 500-mile bike ride from Lansing to Mackinaw City)."

Aaron McElmurry

Teen Division 6 1st Place

EastPointe, MI

62.5 pound loss

"I know it’s hard to take off pounds or keep off pounds sensibly, but anyone can do it.”

“In 2009, I was surprised to find out I was first place division winner at SRD and second place in IRD. I had lost 52 pounds that year and along with it, I got to go to Disney World for the first time. After IRD, with the support of everyone in my TOPS chapter, I lost another 62.5 pounds. I still have another 10 pounds to go and some shaping up to do. I try to do some exercises every day. And I’ve learned to stay away from junk food that I used to enjoy. I know it’s hard to take off pounds or keep off pounds sensibly, but anyone can do it. Just believe it can happen."