At 76 years old, Marion Harmon feels the best she has in years after losing 111 pounds.

The Federal Way resident was recently named Washington’s Queen of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for her accomplishment.

Harmon joined a local chapter of TOPS Club Inc. — a nonprofit weight-loss support organization — several years ago after continually struggling with her weight. At her heaviest, Harmon tipped the scales at close to 300 pounds.

“I thought, ‘I can’t do that. I have to go the other way,’” she said.

It took Harmon about three and a half years to lose the weight, which she said she did by exercising and eating healthier.

“You have to make sure you have a salad as your main dish, but you can have your meat or chicken, and if you have to, you can have a little dessert,” she said. “You just don’t have pies and cakes all the time.”

Harmon said she stays active by taking walks with her dog, riding her stationary bike or taking fitness classes such as Zumba.

Having the support of fellow TOPS members has helped Harmon successfully shed her extra pounds.

“I think it is a good way to go because you’ve got support through the chapter,” she said. “You can have a lot of support, especially if you go to the meeting and talk to them.”

Each year TOPS recognizes a man and woman in each state who have officially recorded the largest weight loss from their starting weight, regardless of the time taken to reach their goal. Ronald Smith of Centralia, who dropped 37 pounds, was crowned as Washington’s king.

As TOPS King and Queen, Smith and Harmon will represent Washington at various events, including the TOPS international gathering in Quebec in July.

For more information about TOPS, visit tops.org.

At her heaviest, Marion Harmon weighed close to 300 pounds. Courtesy photo