It wasn’t all success. Uber did have weeks in which she gained weight. When her family was fighting and she was under stress and after her husband died, for instance. But she kept tracking her calories and going to meetings.

She credited one of her daughters and son-in-law moving in with her eight years ago for helping her finally shed the last few pounds to reach her goal. Her daughter, Ginny Matthes, took over much of the cooking; preparing fresh foods and healthy, balanced meals with lots of fish, vegetables, and fruit. Uber also had a kidney removed after a bout with cancer in 2006, making her more mindful of the sodium in her diet.

“It’s very motivating for her friends at TOPS,” Matthes said of her mom. “Even though she wasn’t always successful along the way she kept coming back to it because of the people in TOPS. The group we so motivating.”

Uber was presented with a crown at TOPS Colorado recognition day in June, signifying her status as state “queen” for the year. She also received a “century medallion” last month, an award for those who lose more than 100 pounds and keep it off longer than a year.

“She was a very outgoing, very motivational woman. She was always there to lend a hand and help others,” said Janet Rae Laes, TOPS Colorado state coordinator said of Uber. She added Uber’s lesson to others is, “It can be done.”

Laes said there are more than 1,500 TOPS members in the state. Colorado was ranked the leanest state in the country in 2015, but state health statistics indicate nearly 3 in 5 adults are considered overweight or obese.

For those struggling with their weight, Uber had one message: “Everybody has to figure out their own diet. There is no set diet for all people. You have to set in your mind that you’re going to do it.  If you gain this week, you start over on your diet again the next day.”

Read more at: denverpost.com