A North Bay, Ont., woman is sharing the story of how she lost 130 pounds, a weight-loss journey she says took years and required the support of family and friends. Pierrette Bellefeuille also credited the non-profit TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a non-commercial weight-loss, education and support organization. Bellefeuille said her efforts to live a healthier life began in her mid-20s when her friend invited her to a supportive weight-loss focus group. She had no idea that one invitation would turn into a lifelong journey. “Back then, I didn’t really think it was the right time to lose weight,” Bellefeuille said. “People, including my doctor, would tell me I should.” The more they pushed, the more she resisted. It wasn’t until after seeing photos of herself — and after her mother’s death — that something started to shift inside her. “I was at that point that it was time to do it,” she said. “I needed to do it for me, for my health.” By the time she turned 40, things became more serious. She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and later high blood pressure. She was on multiple medications, and her doctor told her that if she didn’t lose weight, she wouldn’t live as long as she hoped. “It really was a wake-up call,” Bellefeuille said. She began regularly attending TOPS meetings, where she would weigh in, get advice and receive positive feedback. She also went to the gym daily and changed her entire diet. “It took at least 37 years,” Bellefeuille said. While she considered getting surgery to spur the process along, she eventually decided she could do it on her own. “I said, ‘Doctor, I lost 80 pounds by myself. Do you think I could do the rest by myself also?’ She said, ‘Yes, you can.’ So that gave me more encouragement.” “I said to myself, ‘OK, I have about 50 pounds to lose’. I did it over here at TOPS. It took me two years to take 52 pounds off.” Audrey Hillman, TOPS North Bay’s facilitator, said the group is there to support people, not tell them what to do. “Nobody tells a member what they should weigh,” Hillman said. “That’s between them and their doctor.” Bellefeuille said some of the hardest habits to break were junk food, late-night eating and drinking pop. She used to drink a one-litre bottle every day. After she started having kidney problems, she learned how to cut down on salty and sugary sweets. Little by little, she started replacing poor eating habits with better ones. “Now, I eat a lot of vegetables and protein,” she said. “They are the main part. When I start eating, I make sure that I eat my vegetables first.” Bellefeuille was named the 2025 TOPS Ontario queen, meaning she lost more weight than any other female TOPS member in the entire province — and reached her goal weight in the process. “I feel fantastic,” she said. “I am able to sit on a chair and get up without any armrests. So, it’s a lot easier.” Her journey hasn’t been smooth. It has included a cancer diagnosis and other health challenges, such as a broken shoulder and even being hit by a car. But she never gave up and today, one of her favourite activities is walking. She makes sure she gets her steps in every day. She credits the support she has received for carrying her through the tough times. “I couldn’t have done this alone,” Bellefeuille said. “My sister Collette has been there for me every step of the way, checking in with me weekly after meetings and encouraging me to keep going. I’ve also been inspired by so many people in TOPS, especially a woman named Mollie. Her message about taking things one day at a time really stayed with me.” She said the TOPS chapter, which currently has 20 members, has made all the difference, giving her structure, accountability and a sense of community throughout her journey. “Even on days when I don’t feel like going, I push myself to show up, because I know it keeps me grounded,” Bellefeuille said. She used to wear 5X clothes. Today, she wears XL. “If you have a loss, everybody celebrates it with you,” Hillman said. “If you struggle that week and it wasn’t such a good result, then people are there to encourage you.” The fact she wants to live a long and healthy life motivates Bellefeuille to stay focused on her goals. Her advice for other people struggling to lose weight? Write down everything you eat. “If you bite it, you write it. Then at the end of the week, you look over your plan and see where you went wrong,” she said. Bellefeuille also said it’s important to take it one day at a time and never give up, even if it’s one step at a time. “You will see your progress,” she said, smiling.
