My Weight-loss Journey with T.O.P.S.

Ever since High School I've had a weight problem. With my weight problem came several health 
problems. Menieres in 1999, a stroke in 2000 and Fibromyalgia in 2008. In January 2010 I weighed 
in at my highest weight of 360 pounds and was having problems in my marriage. I felt like a beached 
whale and was miserable to those around me. I was severely depressed and unhappy with my weight. 

In July 2010 my husband attempted suicide then asked for a divorce. I left Idaho and arrived in 
Cedar City, Utah in August 2010. Having no desire to eat, a first for me, I lost weight. By the first 
week of February 2011 I weighed 216 lbs and my appetite returned. I was at a plateau and kept loosing
and gaining the same few pounds. I was feeling depressed over gaining a few pounds back when I read 

the community notice in the paper about T.O.P.S. I went that evening to my first meeting. After being

there for ten minutes I felt the camaraderie of others who knew how it felt to be overweight and 

struggling. The following week, March 2nd, 2011, I became a member of T.O.P.S. Utah Chapter 12.

I weighted in at 217.75 lbs that night. I found friends and support at T.O.P.S. like I'd never had before

when trying to loose weight. At T.O.P.S. I've found people who understood my struggles, I've learned
the tools and knowledge needed to achieve my weight loss goals. 

My attitude has shifted from a sullen, moody person to a happy, enthusiastic person. My Fibromyalgia

has gotten so much better too.

In Febuary 2012 I reached my weight loss goal of 150 pounds thus becoming a K.O.P.S.

In June 2012 I was Division 3 First place winner at T.O.P.S. Utah State Recognition Days (SRD).

During this past year, since SRD, life has been up and down like a roller coaster. However, I have 

maintained my K.O.P.S. status by continuing to face the scale, going to my T.O.P.S. meetings and 

encouraging others along their journeys. 

This June I was proud to represent my chapter as the Chapter Queen for UT 12 at SRD. It was even extra special since this is our chapter's 50th Anniversary year.

I am proud to be an example of what T.O.P.S. do.

T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a World-wide weight loss support group. So if you are looking to loose weight, 5 pounds or even 200 pounds, check out T.O.P.S.

Here is the website to my chapters facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/T.O.P.S.UT12?ref=hl

Idaho Spud King Dies:

J.R. Simplot had achieved his ambitions during his long life of ninety-nine years. He became known as the Spud King here in Idaho. For a lad at fourteen years old leaving Iowa and starting out alone in a new state, Idaho, he had a vision and took aim to pursue it.

In 1923 J.R. arrived in Idaho and began working in the potato sorting workhouses. He then took his money, eighty dollars and put it into hogs in which he kept all winter, selling them for $7,500 after fattening them up. With this money he bought a electric potato sorter and managed to buy/build thirty to thirty three potato warehouses beginning in Idaho Falls, Idaho. This was the beginning of the Simplot Potato (now Food) Manufacturing Company, which is still in operation throughout Idaho today. He continued to invest in other ventures as he saw they would also help his current trend in food processing. He bought timberland to make wooden boxes for his potatoes, he also bought a fertilizer company to provide fertilizer to grow the potatoes. A phosphorous company also, as phosphorous is a key element that is included in many of today's products that range from food, fertilizer to cleaning products. His expansion didn't quite end there as he also bought a cattle ranch. J.R. Simplot was a man of large vision and one who understood that in order to make the best dollar you had to have most of the materials at the cheapest prices. In order to have your materials at the cheapest prices it is easier if you own them or manufacture them yourself, now that's what I call a visionary or a scholarly man. He did this and at the same time provided jobs for many local Idahoans.

One of the most prominent things J.R. Simplot will be forever remembered for is making the french fry commercial to the fast food industry. In the 1960's J.R. introduced the first frozen french fry to McDonald's Ray Kroc. Today Simplot Foods still provide McDonald's with over a third of their fries along with other fast food chains such as Wendy's and Burger King. It was a known fact, up until his recent death, that every week J.R. could be seen driving up to a McDonald's for fries or hash browns (both of them supplied by his company).

In the 1980's J.R. was one of the first people to invest in the little known Boise company of Micron. They were just barely starting out and having a bit of trouble in the beginning and he helped them out, thus investing in stock at that time. Today it is estimated that the investment that he kept in Micron is about 250 million dollars in value. Before his death Simplot was estimated to be worth over three and a half billion dollars.

Mr. Simplot sure had a great aptitude for knowledge of the business world for starting out in it at fourteen. Wouldn't you agree? That only goes to show us that with a lot of hard work and continued endurance what someone can accomplish. Remember, he didn't come from a family of means but made his own way in this world with barely anything to begin with. He worked hard and was honest in his work and with those with whom he dealt. No wonder he made such an impression in not only the Business world but also the Political world in Idaho and beyond. My best wishes go out to his family that are left behind. I hope that his hard work ethics will be instilled and kept in practice for future generations in memory of this great man known as the "Spud King."

Idaho's Capitol For May:

Governor Otter has chosen Priest River as the town to be the host Capitol for May. Priest River is seven miles east of Washington State and seventy-five miles south of Canada. It has a population of approximately 1,700. It will be "Capitol for the Day" for Governor Butch Otter and members of his staff on May 20th.

The Governor and his official staff will meet with the local officials between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They plan to discuss a variety of issues, concerning to the local people, which range from flood control, transportation, land endowment and economic development.


idahoexaminer

Wells Assists Idaho Theater Fundraiser:

The Pix Theater, located in Nampa Idaho, had a fundraising event for renovations on April 19th. One of Idaho's current "resident stars" of Driggs was the "main attraction." Who is Idaho's star who came to the Theater's rescue? None other than Dawn Wells; who everyone remembers as "Maryann of Gilligan's Island". Ms. Wells and the Idaho Film and Television Institute donated a paid trip to Hollywood to the fundraiser.

It is estimated that two to three million dollars will be necessary in expenses to fix the damages to the landmark theater. In July 2003 when the roof collapsed during some renovations at the time.

Originally the theater opened in 1946 having an occupancy of 688. Future plans for the theater include renovations that will keep it similar to it's original appearance with some inner modifications. The proposed inside modifications are that the occupancy will be limited to 300 in the theater. This is so a restaurant can also be available to patrons. The new facility will not just be used for movies, but also live theater, comedy, music and additional significant events.

history
reference

Capital For The Day: April

Firth Idaho;

Firth is a small town with a population of around one thousand the town was the capital of Idaho for April 8th. Governor Otter, his staff of various advisers attended a town hall meeting. The meeting with the citizens of Firth lasted about six hours, in the small city hall office.

When Governor Otter took office, he set aside one day per month to name a city as capital for the day. In this way he is able to get out of the big city capital of Boise and met the smaller populations in the state of Idaho. Idaho has many small town's and cities spread across a large state. In most cases the town meetings that are conducted in each Capitol for the day meeting is similar in content. The majority of questions pertain to issues on energy, water, education, health, economy, manufacturing issues, and immigration. Along with the possible solutions or finding/funding of any solutions available.