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The First Place E-Newsletter ispublished monthly by First Place.Address all correspondence toFirst Place, 7401 Katy Freeway,Houston, TX 77024-2199.
Telephone . . . (800) 727-5223or (713) 688-6788
Fax . . . . . . . . (713) 688-7282
Web site . . www.firstplace.org
National Director Carole Lewis
Associate Director . Kay Smith
Leadership Training Director . . . . . . . Nancy Taylor
Newsletter . . . Sheila Robbins
January 2003
EE ach New Year holds the potential for a newbeginning, a fresh start, and another opportunityto get back on track. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33
that if we would give Him first place in our lives, all theseother things we need would be given to us as well. Whatdo you have need of today? Is it weight loss, money topay your bills, salvation of a family member?
Matthew 6:33 was chosen as the founding verse of theFirst Place program because any success we are ever ableto attain is dependent on our first seeking His kingdomand His righteousness. When we give Jesus first place inour lives, we find that He opens up His will for us in wayswe have never seen before.
On September 9, 2002, I embarked on an exciting sixteen-weekjourney with God. God revealed to me that the challenge was to becalled the Triple Dare; believe God, trust God and obey God for sixteenweeks. As I began to do this, God opened the windows of heaven andpoured out so many blessings, I was hardly able to contain them.(Malachi 3:10)
I experienced Him in new ways every day. I lost 20 pounds and hadmany exciting opportunities to witness and speak for Him. Because of allour family has been through the last five years, I have learned to believeand trust God with everything. The biggest problem I have had is to obeyGod in the area of my eating. God helped me to obey Him only after Imade the conscious decision that I was going to do it.
I had a few slip-ups along the way, but God was gracious, merciful andfaithful to me because my heart was turned toward Him. I came as achild each morning asking Him to help me be faithful for the entire day. Iasked Him to help me make wise food selections when eating out. Iasked Him to show me the "way of escape" (1 Corinthians 10:13) when Iwas tempted.
Will you dare to take God's Triple Dare today? Why not make it yourgoal to believe God, trust God and obey God for the next sixteen weeks?I know you'll be glad you did.
Blessings,
Dear Friends,
Carole LewisNational Director
Matthew 6:33: Seek ye first the kingdom ofGod and His righteousness;and all these things shall beadded unto you.
FIRST PLACE
Phone:(800) 727-5223(713) 688-6788
Fax:(713) 688-7282
To Place Orders:(800) 446-7735
Fax: (800) 860-3109
www.firstplace.org
Carole LeCarole LewiswisFirst Place National [email protected]
Kay SmithAssociate Director
[email protected] First Place Friends,
TTalkin’ With Kalkin’ With Kayay2003 Goals for a Healthier Family
HH appy New Year! It's that time of year when weall think about a new beginning and settingnew goals.
I want to be honest with you.When I joined First Place19 years ago, my thoughts were not on health, just losingweight. One of the miracles that God has done in my lifeis to completely change my thought life about why Icontinue in First Place. I am what you would call a FirstPlace "lifer." As I consider new goals for 2003, myconcerns are as much about health as they are aboutweight loss.
What a blessing we receive through our faithfulness tothe commitments in First Place in the area of "goodhealth." The basic information we learn and applyimproves our chances of avoiding cancer, heart disease, ordiabetes. Of course, there is no guarantee that we won'tcontract a major illness; however, we are doing "our part"to deflect these awful diseases that are plaguing ourcountry.We live in a country that affords the best medicaltechnology and the best food at a cost people can afford;yet, we are losing the battle to diseases that we couldavoid if we choose to consistently eat healthier and getproper exercise.We often refuse to buy grapes becausethe price seems too high, then, throw a bag of chips inthe cart that cost several times more per pound. We endup paying $100 per month for the prescription ofmedicine to bring our cholesterol down that the bag ofchips caused to rise. I would like to challenge each of ourFirst Place members to make it a "goal" this New Year tomake choices that benefit the entire family.
I was shocked when I heard the news that there was alawsuit against McDonald’s because a child who often atethere was obese. My first reaction was, "Aren't the parentsresponsible?" Then, I remembered statistics I recently readabout McDonald's and Burger King spending more than$1 billion on advertising each year! Our government has afraction of that budget to teach Americans the importanceof eating fruits and vegetables.
As a First Place member, I have developed a desire tolearn the basics of good nutrition. I sometimes assumethat others know what I know.When I take mygrandchildren to a fast food restaurant, it is not for ahealthy meal; it is a treat, a fun outing. I then realize that Ineed to prepare healthy food for them at the next meal.We can find healthy choices when we eat out, but it takeseffort and some good glasses since the nutritionalinformation is usually in very fine print.You are likely to
pick up a small package of dressing that looks like a goodchoice judging the calories; yet, in very fine print on theback, you see that the small package contained 3 servingsand it was not a good choice at all. I believe our governmentmay come to the decision that some of the fast food choiceswe are given need to come with a warning label, much likeyou see on a tobacco product. Without some type ofwarning or good nutritional education for all Americans, weare going to continue to see sick, obese children and angrier,litigious parents.
Before 1994, diabetes in children was generally caused bya genetic disorder. Only 5 percent of childhood diabetescases were obesity-related, or Type 2 diabetes.Today,according to the National Institute of Health,Type 2 diabetesaccounts for at least 30 percent of all new childhood casesof diabetes in our country. In 1969, $2.6 billion was spent onhealth-care costs related to diabetes.Today's number is anunbelievable amount of $100 billion a year. Diabetes is nowlisted as the #6 disease causing deaths in America. Wow!This is a disease when diagnosed early can often be held atbay or maintained with healthy eating choices and properexercise.Yet, many do not choose to follow the good advicegiven by health professionals. I have Type 2 Diabetes in myfamily history and I believe that if God had not brought meto First Place 19 years ago, I would probably have beendiagnosed with Diabetes 10 years ago.
I pray that God will give each of us the strength to makehealthy choices for ourselves and for those that depend onus. Bev Henson wrote a great article last month aboutexercising with your children, which is so important.We allknow that children learn from what they see their parentsdo. If you take the time to fill your home with healthy foodchoices, your children will begin to like them.
The healthy goals you set, and faithfully keep this NewYear, will benefit your entire family.Ask God to provide youthe desire to attain knowledge and the strength to beconsistent.
PP..SS.. I receive calls each week from members looking forthe Fast Food Facts and Convenience Food Facts books that we formerly carried.You can find these books atwww.idcpublishing.com or call, 1-888-637-2675 andrequest a catalog.
May God bless each of you and your family!
KKay Smithay Smith
ATTAINABLE—Help members set goals that areattainable in one session.Also, guide them to makegoals that are reachable, given their specific strengthsand weaknesses. An attainable goal would be to sayall 10 memory verses at the end of the 13-weeksession. Saying the entire 119 Psalm would not bevery attainable within that period of time.
REALISTIC—Being realistic and honest is very helpfulfor setting goals. It would not be very realistic forme, a 40 something woman, to set the goal of beingable to run a marathon at the end of a 13-weeksession, but I could have the goal of walking in a 5Kwalk/run. Have the members take an honest look atthemselves and set goals that are realistic for theirlifestyle, age, strengths, weaknesses, and evenpersonality style.
TRACKABLE—Smart goals can be tracked over aperiod of time. Ask members to keep track of theirprogress by using the CR.They should have goalsthat are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.Using the CR each day they can check off theexercise, Bible study, and food selections. If their goalis to drink all eight glasses of water each day, thenthey simply go to that section on the CR to check ifthey are meeting that goal. That is a trackable goal.
OOpporppor tunity to Rtunity to Reaceach Goalsh GoalsGive members many opportunities to succeed. All
members have that one weight-loss goal they are striving toattain. However, having just one long-term goal can bediscouraging. Give your members a weekly goal then rewardthem for meeting the goal. Have members write out at leastfour goals for the session that will include all four sides:emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. The more short-term goals they set and reach, the more confidence they willgain in seeking to meet the long-term goals.
Leadership TLeadership Trrainingaining
Nancy TaylorLeadership Training Director
A Leader + A Follower + A Goal = Success
TT here are many components of a First Place class.However, I would like to suggest that only threeessential ingredients are necessary for creating an
effective First Place class: A leader, a follower, and goals.These three components together form a productive FirstPlace class.A leader must be able to motivate and equip theirmembers (followers) to do what is necessary to accomplishset goals.Without a leader, there is no accountability orguidance for the followers. If there are no followers, thenyou have no class! If there is no goal, then the leader ismerely the person in charge of rounding up a bunch ofwandering followers.
Since this is January, it is the perfect time to take a look athow the leader can ignite their members to pursue dreamsby first setting goals and developing plans to reach thosegoals. Colossians 1:28-29 contains this charge to a leader:"And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man andteaching every man with all wisdom, that we may presentevery man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also Ilabor, striving according to His power, which mightilyworks within me." (NAS) The leader's goal is to havemembers who develop into complete and balancedbelievers, who are serving God better and longer! Thefollowing acrostic G-O-A-L reminds leaders what they mustgive to members in order to better equip them to reach theirgoals.
GGuidance in Setting Goalsuidance in Setting GoalsMembers tend to set themselves up for failure by setting
goals too high or making them too general. To help yourmembers set smart goals, have them follow these guidelines:
SPECIFIC—Encourage members to be specific withtheir goals, avoiding generalizations. For example:l General - I will exercise this week.l Specific- I will walk two miles, three times this week.
MEASURABLE—Goals should be measurable to see ifthey have actually progressed. For instance, I can
measure the specific goal above, by seeing if Iactually walked two miles on three different days.
(Continued on next page)
Leadership Tip Leadership Tip Balanced Goals?
If you are beginning a new First Place ministry, an important toolnecessary for keeping track of weight goals is the scale. Iusually recommend the Health-o-Meter scale, as it is the mainbrand we have used here at Houston's First Baptist for the past20 years. I recently went online to find information about scalesfor a First Place leader and discovered some good websites thatoffer scales at reasonable prices. Websites www.medicalscales.comand www.lowestdollar.com are just two that I found the Health-o-Meter scales offered. You can also search for other websites bysimply searching under Health-o-Meter scales. This is also agood way to get a look at the scales and compare the differentfeatures. The most important thing to remember regardingscales: Use the same scale each week, in the same location.Also, provide a secure place for storage of the scales when notin use. When selecting the type and quality of the scale, keep inmind the number of people who will use it each week, and thatyour First Place ministry will become an ongoing ministry of yourchurch. Therefore, select a scale that will work consistently wellfor years to come.
C O M I N G EC O M I N G E V E N T SV E N T SFIRST PLACE RALLY Friday, January 17 | 6:00 p.m. Northcrest Baptist ChurchMeridian, Mississippi Contact: Carol Moore @ [email protected]
(601) 483-8506
FIRST PLACE WORKSHOPSaturday, January 18 | 8:30 a.m. Northcrest Baptist ChurchMeridian, MississippiSpeaker:Carole Lewis, National Director, First Place Contact: Carol Moore @ [email protected]
(601) 483-8506
FIRST PLACE WORKSHOPSaturday, January 18Bayside ChurchGranite Bay, CaliforniaSpeaker: Nancy Taylor, Leadership Training Director,
First Place Contact: Tamara Taber-Kluck (916) 729-8005
AREA LEADER MEETINGSaturday, January 18 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.Greater Gresham Baptist ChurchGresham, OregonRSVP requiredContact: Kellie McNeff (503) 262-2696 (days)
or (503) 654-8927 (evenings)
AREA LEADER MEETINGSaturday, January 25 | 10:00 a.m.New Hope Baptist ChurchLoveland, OhioContact: Janet Kirkhart - (937) 444-1199 or
FIRST PLACE WORKSHOPJanuary 25St. John Lutheran ChurchWinter Park, FloridaContact: Nikki Rach (407)852-3520 [email protected] for registration
FIRST PLACE RALLYFriday, January 31 | 6:30 p.m.Plainfield Christian ChurchFellowship Center (east)800 Dan Jones Road | Plainfield, Indiana(No Registration -No cost - for Rally)Special Guests: Carol Moore and Beverly HensonContact: Suzy Pineda at 317/839-7919 or
AAccountaccountability bility Along the Along the WWaayyHaving members weigh in each week is not optional.
Weighing each week is a way to call members toaccountability. The numbers on the scale are an indicationof how well or how poor they are doing in regards toreaching their goal. If they do not weigh, the leader doesnot know how they are progressing. Proverbs 27:17 says,"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."People need other people to be accountable to in order togrow and in order to meet their goals. On the other hand,lack of accountability leads to members floundering andgetting off course.
LLoovve Unconditionalle UnconditionallyyAbove all, love your members, no matter what the results.
Extend grace and mercy along with the accountability.Communicate to your members that you accept them just asthey are, but desire for them to be their very best - to be allGod created them to be!
Begin this New Year focused on the G-O-A-L of giving yourmembers guidance, opportunity to succeed, andaccountability with love. Have a blessed New Year!
Nancy TNancy Tayloraylor
BeBev’s Fv’s Footnotesootnotes
harder than we expected and no fun at all.This can of paint
is very much like our commitment to First Place.We jump in
feet first, lose the first 10 or 15 pounds, follow the Live It, fill
out the CR, pray, read our Bible, and we are gung ho. . .then,
the excitement begins to wear off. It becomes a job. Can I
tell you that this is not a bad place to be, even though it
doesn't feel good, because we feel like failures.
At this point, if we will let go and let God step in, He
can use where we are to develop character and integrity.
I also begin to pray, "Father, give me a holy and anointed
""ssttiicckk--ttoo--iitt--nneessss.."" Our Father can give you the heart to finish
the task. We are made in His image and the Word tells us
"…He is the author and the FINISHER of our faith."
Hebrews 12:2
As you are setting your goals for the new year, ask God to
give you His ""ssttiicckk--ttoo--iitt--nneessss,,"" and a desire to finish the task
at hand. With this new desire to keep your commitments,
He will also give you a new love and excitement. He is
faithful!
A brand new me in 2003!
BeBevverly Hensonerly Henson
HoHow to Makw to Make It S
tice It S
tickk
Beverly HensonCertified Personal [email protected]
Preparations for Commitment
TT he New Year is here, and with it comes a time of
re-commitment to the nine commitments of First
Place. As I was beginning preparation for this talk
to my First Place group, the Lord showed me an analogy of
an unopened paint can.
How many times have you had an idea to paint a room?
You go to the store and buy a can of paint, but find there are
many more things you need than just that can of paint.There
are plans and preparations to be made before you can even
begin to paint a room.The can of paint alone will not do the
job.You will need supplies, brushes, rollers, paint pans, and
drop clothes.
The other thing you must plan for is time to paint the
room. The drop cloths are in place and you begin to roll the
first line of paint. You are so excited because it looks good.
As you continue with the second and third roll, the
excitement of the new painting experience begins to wear
off. Your new commitment to paint this room just became a
job and you have three more walls to go; it isn't fun
anymore.You have to make yourself finish the room, and you
wish you had never started the task.
We have all been there and done that! We started a task
with the heart to finish, and when we got into the job, it was
Hints & PinchesHints & Pinches
Scott WilsonFirst Place Food Consultant
Begin The Day With Breakfast
Scott Wilson is a certified executive chef with the American Culinary Federation. If youhave any questions regarding food preparation, you may write him at 7075 Red FoxLane, Cumming, GA 30040.
YY our brain (and central nervous system) run onglucose -- that's the fuel you need to think, walk,talk, and carry on any and all activities. Let's say
that the last time you eat something at night is at 10 or 11PM (not optimal, just an example).The following day, youdon't eat breakfast but wait until about noon or so to eat --you've gone thirteen or fourteen hours with nothing in yoursystem.Your poor brain is surely deprived -- and your bodyhas to work extra hard to break down any storedcarbohydrate or turn fat or protein into a usable form foryour brain to function.That's a lot to ask for when you'retrying to concentrate on reading, or doing any other work.Eating breakfast has been proven (many times) to improveconcentration, problem solving ability, mental performance,memory, and mood.You will certainly be at a disadvantage ifyour co-workers have eaten breakfast and you've gonewithout. On average, they will think faster and clearer, andwill have better recall than you. Everyday work can be toughenough without this extra-added pressure.
Breakfast skippers also have a harder time fittingimportant nutrients into their diet. Many foods eaten atbreakfast contain significant amounts of vitamins C and D,calcium, iron, and fiber.
Some people believe that skipping breakfast may helpthem lose weight. Not so! Skipping meals often leads toovereating later in the day. Becoming hungry often leads to alack of control and distorted satiety signals (meaning it'shard to determine when you're full).This can result in takingin more calories than if one had an appropriate breakfast.Asa matter of fact, it's easier to control one's weight by eatingsmaller meals and snacks more frequently.
What if there's just no time in the morning to eatbreakfast? There are plenty of items you can bring alongwith you to work. Carry a resealable bag of easy-to-eat wholegrain cereal, or bring a yogurt or small box of skim milk,juice or fruit. If you just can't stomach food in the morning,try to have a little something -- such as some juice -- andbring along a mid-morning snack. Other good portable itemsinclude: whole grain crackers, a hard boiled egg, cottagecheese, low-fat granola bars, or even a peanut buttersandwich. Single serving hot cereals, such as oatmeal, arehandy -- all you have to do is add hot water, available at mostcafeterias or delis.
Whatever your choice, eat something.You are breakingthe fast, hence the word BREAKFAST! If you think you're
doing fine with no breakfast, just try changing your tune fora week - I'm sure you'll notice a difference.You willundoubtedly perform better with some fuel in your system,and hopefully become a breakfast believer.
ScotScott Wilsont Wilson
BreakBreakffast Ideasast Ideas
MM ost breakfast items can readily be made the nightbefore to save you time in the morning and thenheated just before you hit the road.
Serves 4
Coat an 8x8x2-inch pan with butter-flavored cooking spray.Combine Egg Beaters®, Half and Half, thawed creamed spinach,and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Pour 1/4-cup of mixture inpan. Place four slices of bread over mixture. Sprinkle top ofbread with crumbled sausage and 1/4-cup cheese, top withremaining slices of bread. Pour remaining egg mixture over breadand top with remaining cheese. Cover and refrigerate overnight.The next morning, bake casserole in 350-degree oven for 20-25minutes or until the center is set. Remove and let sit for 5 minutesbefore slicing. Extra slices may be heated and served as neededfor up to 3 days.
Exchanges: 1 meat, 1 bread, 1/2 vegetable,1/4 milk, 1/2 fat
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
8 slices Iron Kids® no crustbread or bread of yourchoice, crust removed
1 cup Egg Beaters®
1 cup Fat-Free Half and Half
1 10-ounce low-fat frozencreamed spinach, thawed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 pieces Healthy Choice ®Breakfast Sausage Patties,crumbled
1/2 cup shredded 2% CheddarCheese, divided
Serves 20
Combine oats and almonds, and spread mixture evenly in a15 x 10-inch jellyroll pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutesor until toasted, and set aside. Combine honey, cerealnuggets, margarine, and cinnamon in a large bowl.Add oatmixture, and stir well. Spread honey-oat mixture evenly intojellyroll pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until dry.Let cool, break into large pieces and set aside. Combinewhole-grain wheat cereal and dried fruit bits in a large bowl,and stir in honey-oat mixture pieces. Serving size 1/2-cup.
Exchanges: 2 breads, 1/2 fruit, 1 fat
Dried-Fruit Granola
3 cups regular oats,uncooked
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 cup honey
1/2 cup nutlike cerealnuggets
1 tablespoon reduced fatmargarine, melted
1 teaspoon groundcinnamon
2 1/2 cups flaked whole-grain wheat cereal withalmonds
1 cup diced dried fruitbits
HH i there, my name is Andy Calvin and I joined First Place inJuly 2002. I have since lost 33 pounds and plan on
continuing to go further. I have found it a great challenge to put Godcompletely first in my life but I am trying and learning. I have a greatleader and about 14 other members to encourage me.
I just wanted to let you know that I think the First Place programis the best. I also look forward to receiving the e-newsletter each month. My group has lost a total of over 300pounds since July and I hope that in another few months it will be300 more. From my fellow members, and me, GOD BLESS YOUand MERRY CHRISTMAS!
AndAndy Calvin and the Firy Calvin and the First Place Grst Place Group oup Silex Assembly of GodSilex, Missouri
WW e had our Victory celebration last night in Deloraine,Manitoba. We have 10 in our group that lost 22 pounds.
Everyone has said they are coming to the alumni group, so we arehappy for that.
We are starting another group after Christmas and hope to haveten in that group. We are very pleased with what has been done inour lives. Our group had nine ladies and one man. We hope to getmore men involved as time goes on. Have a wonderful Christmasseason.
Jane BlJane BlythythDeloraine, Manitoba
TT he first Wisconsin leader meeting was held at Bethel BaptistChurch in Green Bay, WI on Thursday, December 12th. Six
women attended, representing four churches. In an informal setting,introductions and a time of sharing allowed these leaders theopportunity to lay the groundwork for future meetings. The grouppraised God for the chance to come together to support andencourage one another.
First Place MailbagFirst Place Mailbag
Serves 1
The night before, cook egg and chopped sausage in non-stick skillet with a little butter-flavored cooking spray. Thenext morning, toast muffin, open faced, topped withscrambled egg mixture. Remove and top with tomato, mayo,and mustard if you desire.
Exchanges: 1 meat, 2 breads, 1/2 Fat
Muffin Sandwich
1 whole grain Englishmuffin
1/4 cup Egg Beaters ®
1 piece Healthy Choice ®Breakfast Sausage Patties,crumbled
1 slice tomato (optional)
1 teaspoon reduced fatmayonnaise and/ormustard (optional)
1 small banana
BreakBreakffast Ideasast Ideas
Testimonies, photographs, recipes and letters are allwelcomed for consideration. Address all correspondenceto: First Place | 7401 Katy Freeway | Houston, TX 77024or e-mail to: [email protected].
Pictured from left to right: Char Nowakowski, Laura Holly, Jenn Krogh,Eleanor Van Gent, Bonnie Freriks, Carol Northrup.
