Clinton Township woman is 280 pounds lighter and TOPS Michigan Queen

New medications for diabetes and obesity have many people reaching their weight loss goals but one woman from Clinton Township was heralded for losing her weight the old fashion way.

"I lost 280 pounds," said Cheryl Bray, who was crowned TOPS International Queen and Michigan Queen during a banquet held over the summer.

"I can honestly say I'm very proud of myself but everyone has it in them to do it," Bray said, of her success and crowning recognition by TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1948 and now has thousands of chapters that provide weight-loss support and wellness education.

As a child Bray recalls she was always chubby.

But it really wasn't until she was a young woman who was suffering from depression brought on the death of both parents and seeing her siblings separated in order to be placed with family members that she started gaining a major amount of weight.

"I was 17 when my mother died and I was 20 when my father died," said Bray.

Being one of nine children and among the oldest, Bray stepped in to help her siblings after her mother died, but after her father died, the kids were separated in order to be placed with family members.

"This was very upsetting. I became very depressed," Bray said.

This led to a lot of unhealthy choices and eventually, she found herself tipping the scale at 448 pounds.

However, for as big as she was nothing stopped her from doing what she wanted to do, which over the years included attending college and earning her associate's degree, going to work as an assistant case worker, and getting married.

"I met Jim when I was 49," she said. "We were good friends. He liked me the way I was but I didn't want to be big anymore."

So, when ladies at the senior center asked if she wanted to join their club she decided to give it a try.

"The first two years I struggled. I was losing weight but not fast enough," she said.

Still, she stuck with it and by subtracting fast food, pop and other unhealthy choices from her daily diet, while adding new friends and exercise, she was eventually able to reach her ideal weight.

As for the TOPS program itself, it's quite simple.

Clubs with chapters across Michigan and the U.S. meet once a week. Clinton Township's group usually meets on Wednesday mornings. Another one meets at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital on Monday nights. Some will even meet on a Saturday if that works better for its members.

Each meeting includes a private weigh-in followed by informational chapter programs prepared by professionals on topics such as current nutrition, fitness and wellness information. Programs provide positive reinforcement and motivation to adhere to healthy eating and exercise programs.

Besides successful stories like Bray's, TOPS provides connections and support to people of all backgrounds (many of whom cannot afford expensive commercial programs) wanting to lose weight. The programs are usually free (some clubs may charge a $5 monthly fee) and provide realistic strategies that are evidence‐based and proven effective for weight loss and improved health outcomes.

Best of all, TOPS Club members support each other. That's really what did it for Bray.

"They would always say, 'We're glad you're here,' or other words of encouragement like 'You'll do better next time.' I wanted to quit so many times but they helped me stay on track," Bray said. "I weigh 168 pounds now and I feel wonderful."

Weight loss tips

During her journey Bray noted that there were a couple of things that really made a difference and offers these tips for others hoping to reach their goals:

• Don't ever use the word diet. You are making a lifestyle choice that will help you lose weight and keep it off.

• Write down everything you eat in a day.

• Eat what you want, just don't eat it all. If you want a piece of cake cut yourself a small piece and consider that your treat for the day.

• Never skip breakfast. One of Bray's favorite dishes is a breakfast burrito that she makes using a tortilla wrap, low fat cheese, eggs, meat and veggies.

• Set aside at least 15 minutes a day for exercise.

"Sometimes I'll just put on some music and just dance for 15 minutes," Bray said.