First Place for life?

**rachelj** · 09-09-2008, 10:40 AM

I am starting this. I will officially get my books tomorrow night. Yes, I know - not so frugal but neither would be getting diabetes, right?

I am a little apprehensive about figuring out what I can and can't eat. I feel like if I say I can't have any chocolate EVER that it (I) will totally backfire. KWIM? So I am hoping for a once a week thing.

I hate putting this out "there", but want some other accountability since I visit here so often.

I am 5' 7" and currently weigh 199 and want to weigh about 155 - maybe a little less. I have PCOS - so weight loss could be a little more difficult. The good thing is that dh will be doing this with me - so a lot of accountability there! As well as less temptations b/c of what he is eating.

**lwlynch** · 09-09-2008, 11:15 AM

My only advice to you, is take it baby steps. It didnt take a day to put it on and it wont take a day to take it off. Also be sure that when you fall off the wagon, that you pick yourself right up and get right back on, we are all human. I was diagnosed with diabetes last dec and it has been a real learning experience. But in the reality of it, it is exercise, portions and a little of everything, I try not to deny too much, just moderation. I wish you all the luck in the world.. I am still plodding along..

**justpeachy92** · 09-09-2008, 11:21 AM

I am not familiar with the program you are starting, might have to google it myself. I agree with the concept of not denying yourself stuff, just have it in moderation and when you do have a small treat take the time to eat it slowly and truely enjoy it. I myself have found that taking 10 minutes to savor one hershey kiss is more enjoyable than downing half the bag.

**rachelj** · 09-09-2008, 12:06 PM

It is a Christian weight loss program. It includes Bible study and a plan.

**DJ1972** · 09-09-2008, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by rachelj

It is a Christian weight loss program. It includes Bible study and a plan.

Good luck!
I have heard of this, but haven't looked into it. Where are you ordering yours from?

**rachelj** · 09-09-2008, 12:43 PM

Our church is doing it - so the group leaders are ordering it. I think you could order it thru the website. http://www.firstplace4health.com/wps...Home/Home_Page

**forHISglory** · 09-09-2008, 01:27 PM

My husband and I belonged to First Place for several years. It's a sound program. We both lost weight with it and became more conscious of when we ate, why we ate, with whom we ate, what we ate, the size of portions, etc. The program also goes into the spiritual side of overeating. One of the most useful parts is the charting of your meals.

We no longer go to the meetings, although the program is still going on and is very active in our church. Hubby still follows the program in a modified way. I was finding that I needed to modify my carbs more than the program suggested.

But overall, it was a great program and full of supportive people.

**forHISglory** · 09-09-2008, 01:29 PM

Forgot to say that I was a leader of First Place for a while. Feel free to PM me about anything concerning the program.

**rachelj** · 09-09-2008, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by forHISglory

I was finding that I needed to modify my carbs more than the program suggested.

They just came out with a new version (hence first place for life). It is more carb conscience. I even emailed the org re: my concern over carbs. With my Pcos, I need to watch carb intake. The dietician emailed me back stating that the new book is more "good" carb/"bad" carb based.

I am nervous b/c the small group I am in seems to be anti sugar (and I know that I need to watch sugar intake) but feel if I go that "extreme" I will set myself up for failure. As well as, I don't want to be the "black sheep" of our group for having a weekly splurge. KWIM?

**forHISglory** · 09-09-2008, 02:19 PM

Let me encourage you to try the small group sessions and not be afraid of the sugar factor. Anti-sugar may refer to adding sugars to foods, rather than eating foods in which sugars occur naturally. It's always best to eat naturally occuring sugars in things like fruit, so that the sugars also pull along nutrients. Not sure if that is what you meant or not......

The way that my husband had success on the program (and he has a huge sweet tooth) was to save room for no sugar added frozen yogurt in the evening. By planning this, he knew that he had a sweet treat coming, and he carefully measured his portion. Portion control became a large part of our success.

Give it your best!

**rachelj** · 09-09-2008, 02:29 PM

Well the comment "sugar is the devil" by the new leader surprised me. And the woman next to me saying she went on a 10 month sugar fast and the lady across from me agreeing with both of the other 2 women took me aback.

I know that portion control is my biggest issue. Learning what are appropriate portion sizes will be huge for me.

**rachelj** · 09-11-2008, 01:22 PM

Still didn't get the book last night. Hopefully next Wed. I lost a pound and a half. Was hoping for more but considering I still don't have the book - not too bad.

The into I did get said that I am only to have 5-5.5oz of meat/beans a day. That seems really low. ?

Any thoughts?

**justpeachy92** · 09-11-2008, 01:59 PM

The USDA food pyramid says 5 to 5.5 ounces of meat/beans per day so it sounds like that is on track with what a woman should be eating. If your husband is doing this with you he should have an ounce more protein then you each day.

**rachelj** · 09-11-2008, 02:08 PM

he's allowed 6.5-7oz.

I know my portions are too much. But you cant really find a chicken breast that small. So that would mean only one meal where you would get meat/beans a day. I am trying to picture how that would work for me. I know that I need to be more conscious of my carb intake and with limits on my meat intake - I feel kinda stuck. I may have raise my meat or cheese intake a little - we'll see.

**forHISglory** · 09-11-2008, 11:53 PM

A 3 oz. portion of meat is about the size of a pack of playing cards. That's a nice sized burger, or chicken breast, or small steak. Let's say that you have that for supper, along with your allowed starches and veggies and a fruit.

You might want to use one oz. for breakfast, with some egg or cheese, and another 1 1/2 oz for lunch. If you are not in the habit of eating protein for breakfast, that still leaves you 2 1/2 oz for lunch, which is only slightly lower than your supper portion. When you choose your protein, try to choose the lower fat ones.

If chicken breasts are too large, cut them into half, or cut them down into the correct size. The trimmings can then be used to make chicken salad or a chicken soup for another meal. It takes time to train your mind to accept the true size of a portion.

While I lost weight on First Place and found the study to be solid, I also began to realize that sugars and starches were increasingly upsetting my body rhythms (blood sugar levels). I was not diabetic nor hypoglycemic, but I was very sensitive to any fluctuation in my blood sugar. So I went down on the starches and up on the protein. I still lost weight and could control the highs and lows of the blood sugars. Even though I increased my protein intake, it was not by a lot. I now eat about 8 oz. of lean protein a day. And I eat only 1 starch per day, and make sure that it is high fiber.

Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and your Creator knows what you need. Work with the program, try it, and adjust a bit here and there as needed. Give it time. Finally, remember that your body is a temple, and it is an act of worship to keep yourself in the best condition possible.