Rhinelander man loses 80 pounds, named TOPS Wisconsin King

Roger Mode of Rhinelander has achieved what many find daunting: losing a significant amount of weight and keeping it off. His 80-pound weight loss has earned him the title of 2024 TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Wisconsin King, recognizing him as the male TOPS member in the state who lost the most weight and reached his goal.
According to a TOPS press release, Mode had previously turned to the nonprofit weight-loss support organization and decided to give it another try.
“I had lost weight previously through TOPS but gained it all back,” he said. “This time, I joined with the hope and determination to reach KOPS status at some point.”
KOPS stands for “Keep Off Pounds Sensibly,” the designation given to members who reach and maintain their goal weight. What drew Mode to TOPS was its built-in accountability system. According to a fall 2023 TOPS survey with more than 15,600 responses, 53% of members indicated that finding a program that would hold them accountable was one of their primary reasons for joining.
Mode’s approach to weight loss focused on simplicity and consistency. He counted calories and made adjustments along the way, starting with a thorough pantry purge.

“I began to proofread the labels of all snacks that were high in salt, sugar, or fat, purging my pantry of them,” he said.
His weekly meal plan became remarkably streamlined. For an entire year, Mode made a different soup each week that served as his evening meals. He rarely ate out during this period and incorporated fish, poultry, fruit, and lettuce salads into his other meals. He excluded red meat from his diet except for one designated “fun day” each week when he could eat whatever he wanted.
“My ‘fun day’ was motivation for me,” Mode explained.
He paid particular attention to sugar content in foods, especially the cereal he frequently ate, and made sure to drink 80 to 100 ounces of water daily.
Exercise played a crucial role in Mode’s transformation. His daily routine included cycling on either a regular bicycle or stationary bike, walking, and a weight-lifting regimen three days per week.
The combination of dietary changes and regular physical activity created the foundation for his 80-pound weight loss.
TOPS meetings provided the support system that helped Mode stay committed to his goals. The organization offers both in-person and online weekly meetings where members share challenges, successes, and goals. In-person meetings begin with an optional weigh-in, followed by discussions and a brief program covering various health and wellness topics.
The value of this ongoing support is reflected in TOPS membership statistics. The median length of membership is 10 years, with one in four members staying for 20 years or more. Seventy-five percent of survey respondents indicated that continued support for losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a primary reason for remaining a member.
For others considering a weight-loss journey, Mode offers straightforward advice based on his experience.
“Trust the process and take it seriously,” he said. “The weight will come off.”
TOPS emphasizes that it’s not a diet but rather a lifestyle change for a lifetime. The organization promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.” philosophy that combines support from weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness education.
Membership starts at $70 per year plus nominal chapter fees. The organization has about 65,000 members across thousands of chapters in all 50 states and Canada. Online meetings are also available for those who prefer virtual participation or live too far from in-person chapters. Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. More information is available at www.tops.org or by calling 800-932-8677.