Morinville resident loses over 100 pounds, named Alberta TOPS Queen

By Haylee Winger

Losing weight can seem intimidating, especially when you consider that 1 in 4 Canadian adults are obese. Alberta’s obesity rate sits at 28.8%, and obesity is linked to numerous health issues, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. But for Joyce Preeper of Morinville, those statistics became personal—and she decided to take control.

Through the support of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-profit, non-commercial weight loss, education, and support organization, Joyce lost 109.5 pounds and was named the 2024TOPS Alberta Queen, a title awarded to the female TOPS member in the province who lost the most weight and reached her goal weight.

In total, Alberta TOPS members lost 7,427 pounds in 2024. Joyce attributes her success to portion control, regular exercise, and the encouragement she received from fellow TOPS members.

“Each member accomplished what they had pledged,” she said. “I learned that hunger and fullness are controlled by my mind. If I keep my mind busy, hunger fades.”

Joyce’s journey began after she and her husband moved from Nova Scotia to Edmonton as young newlyweds.

“I am 4’11” and got married at 18. I weighed 98 pounds with a wedding dress size 5. My husband and I were born in Nova Scotia, but the jobs were scarce. His cousin talked him into moving to Edmonton where there was work. We moved into an apartment, and I didn’t know the city or anyone. So, I was stuck in the apartment all day until he came home.”

Isolated and alone, Joyce turned to food for comfort.

“I found a store below the apartment. Well, I also found something called a Fudgicle. The ice cream bar was calming as I watched Dr. Kildare. Each day I could not only have one, but sometimes three or four at one seating.”

During a return trip to Nova Scotia after her husband’s mother passed away, her friends were shocked at how much her body had changed.

“This little skinny girl had gained large legs. I was always active—biking, walking everywhere.”

Years passed, and Joyce’s weight continued to fluctuate. She went through four pregnancies, one ending in miscarriage and one baby dying in utero. She admits that food became her way of dealing with emotional pain.

Later, when her knees needed replacement, a compassionate nurse began seeing her regularly to help her lose weight. At that time, she weighed 261.5 pounds.

She started exercising at the YMCA with water aqua classes, walking more often, and eventually joined her local TOPS chapter in Morinville.

“Our TOPS group had 60 members. We are eight now—which is better than none.”

TOPS helped her stay focused, and her dedication paid off. Now at her goal weight, Joyce says she’s proud of what she accomplished and hopes her story inspires others to take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle.