SURING – TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) — the nonprofit weight-loss support organization — recently unveiled their 2025 royalty.
TOPS royalty are women and men who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their highest weight at TOPS by the end of 2025 and reached their goal weight, regardless of the time taken to achieve their goal. Ellen Huncosky of Suring — who lost 120.4 pounds — and Kenneth Johnson of Hixton — who dropped 135.2 pounds — are the 2025 Wisconsin queen and king. They were honored at the Wisconsin recognition event at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center in Stevens Point.
For Huncosky, this achievement came from hard work and a lifestyle change.
“After high school came a steady factory job, a husband and three kids, with extra weight after each pregnancy. I would manage to lose some of the “baby” weight and try to keep one eye on the scale over the years, but it was always on the rise. Life was fast-paced in those middle-aged years, with little time to think about myself. I did quit smoking in 2015 when breathing seemed to be more important than the nicotine,” she explained in her personal narrative.
“As the numbers on the scale went up, so did the numbers on my yearly lab blood work. My doctor wanted me on three different medications for issues that resulted from being overweight. I believed there had to be a better way.”
In Nov. 2023, Huncosky and her two sisters visited their eldest sister, Ava, in Missouri. During the trip, Ava introduced her to the local TOPS chapter — through which Ava became the Missouri TOPS State Queen in 2023 — and demonstrated a determination that led to Huncosky joining the Shawano TOPS chapter in Jan. 2024.
“With better choices, exercise and the Keto diet, I lost 79.6 pounds my first year at TOPS. I was awarded first place in Division 2 and attended my first State Recognition Day event.”
She continued, “My December 2024 health check-up floored my doctor because the lab results were normal again. She was amazed at how much I had lost. I no longer have to take medication, and I feel awesome.”
Determined to finish her journey by the end of 2025, Huncosky officially lost 100 pounds that July.
With an individual approach to weight loss and overall wellness, TOPS provides consistent group support, health education and recognition to encourage successful weight management. Wisconsin has an adult obesity rate of 37.4%, the ninth highest in the country.
In 2025, TOPS members in Wisconsin lost a cumulative 8,372 pounds.
“All of us in TOPS are immensely proud of our members’ weight-loss achievements,” said TOPS president Rick Danforth.
“Through their TOPS membership, these individuals can honor their life-altering successes, other members and those who have preceded them. By maintaining their allegiance to lifestyle modifications, a hallmark of TOPS’ winning formula, TOPS members apply the tools they’re provided and the backing of their peers to attain their weight loss goals.”
Huncosky added, “I thank the TOPS organization, my family and friends and my chapter members for all their help and support. I pray every one of my fellow members can experience these feelings from healthy eating and exercise, along with the renewed benefits to their body and health we all deserve.”
In-person or online weekly meetings are the heart of TOPS support. In-person meetings start with an optional weigh-in, after which members share challenges, successes, or goals. A brief program covering a variety of health and wellness topics follows and may conclude with awards and recognition for the week. Visitors can attend their first TOPS in-person meeting free of charge and are encouraged to try more than one chapter since they’re all a little different.
For online membership, virtual chapter meetings are held via Zoom and offered at least five times weekly. The meeting starts with members disclosing challenges, successes or goals. Next, the online facilitator presents a prepared program that sometimes includes guest speakers sharing expert views on fitness, nutrition, and more. Meetings conclude with action steps related to the presented program.
Membership is affordable, starting at $70 per year, plus nominal chapter fees. To join TOPS, visit www.tops.org or call +1 (800) 932-8677 to learn more about TOPS and to find a local chapter.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here