LeJeune named La. Queen of TOPS

Barbara LeJeune of Basile (Tepetate community) will be honored as Louisiana’s Queen of TOPS in July in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during the International TOPS Convention.
LeJeune lost a total of 85 pounds through TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). TOPS is a not-for-profit, non-commercial weight loss and support organization. TOPS doesn’t sell meals, diets, exercise equipment, supplements, gym membership, etc. It’s annual membership is $28.
After years of “yo-yo” dieting and frustration of repeatedly losing and gaining, LeJeune found that TOPS works. LeJeune found that TOPS was not a diet, “It’s a life-style change.”
LeJeune joined TOPS in 1992 at the encouragement of friends. She added, “My friends and I were looking for help to lose weight, and one of my friends knew about TOPS, and shared the information about the weight loss program. We became interested and formed a group in Iota, which was convenient for all of us.
“We met once a week. The program was very informative, and encouraging. I began to change and alter my eating and drinking .. started drinking more water and journaling what I ate each day. I ate 6 smaller meals each day with a larger meat portion at breakfast and at evening meal. The other four meals I ate 100 calories or less.
LeJeune learned to exercise as part of her daily routine. “I exercised in the morning hour alongside a DVD by Leslie Sensore- “Power Walking System.” LeJeune exercised six days a week, taking off on Sundays.
Before the weight loss LeJeune experienced pain on her left side. After her weight loss she no longer takes an Aleve pill for her pain. “I thank God every morning and all day that I no longer experience pain, and I firmly believe with my weight loss... I am more healthy and body is more able !”
LeJeune has learned through TOPS informative program to read grocery store labels when she shops. “I keep track of whats in the packages. I look for foods that has less than 20 carbs and low on calories. I have a list of snacks that are less than 200 calories and another list I keep that has 100 calories or less.”
LeJeune has experienced much more energy since her life style changes. “I walk more... I listen to music and dance as I work inside my home doing housework! I cannot wait to work outdoor in my yard.”
LeJeune, a retired school teacher of 35 years, remains active as she enjoys tutoring children after school and working closely with an elderly woman as she drives her where she needs to go. She is the mother of two Benjamin LeJeune and Jessica Lopez and grandmother of two.
LeJeune recommends TOPS. She added, “Anyone that needs to lose weight has to figure out how they will choose to lose the weight. I had God on my side. I read my Bible early in the morning and late at night. I was one with emotional eating habits. Reading my Bible helped me get closer to God and to do what was good for me.
Louisiana alone ranks second in the nation with an obesity rate of nearly one-third of its adult population.
TOPS Club Inc. is the original nonprofit, weight-loss support and wellness education organization established in 1948. For more information TOPS, www.tops.org or call 800-932-8677.
“There are 1,231 members of TOPS in the state. Last year they lost a total of 6,918.75 pounds,” according, Mark McLaughlin, Ron Sonntag Public Relations- TOPS.