Before there were thousand of diet fads and online information about the best diet pills, there was TOPS – Take Off Pounds Sensibly.

TOPS was founded in 1948 by Esther Manz of Wilwaukee, Wiconsin. America was just coming out of the Depression in the 40s, so the ideal American woman was not the thin waifs that you see today, but a founder, fuller more curvaceous woman.

Esther wanted to set up a support system for overweight and obese people that could help them lose weight. TOPS expanded its program over the years to include helping those with bulimia and anorexia, as well as other weight related programs.

TOPS has over 10,000 chapters in the United States. Club members who maintain their goal weight get extra recognition. Meetins emphasize nutrition and exercise and published materials are given to members. Membership fees are only $25 per year.