First Place: Lose Weight and Keep It Off Forever [Hardcover]

Carole Lewis (Author), Terry Whalin (Author)

Book Description

Series: First Place | Publication Date: July 6, 2001

Describing herself as "fat and almost forty," Carole Lewis joined the initial First Place group at First Baptist Church of Houston in 1981. There she learned to give Christ first place in her life. First Place has since become one of the most successful weight reduction programs in the nation, spreading to all 50 states and more than 12,000 churches. Participants have lost 50, 100, even 250 pounds! But First Place is about more than losing weight; it's about gaining a life-changing relationship with Almighty God. Readers will learn how this carefully constructed plan for winning the fitness battle will help them to discipline themselves spiritually as well as physically, strengthening both body and soul. Includes many personal testimonies, the nine commitments exercise basics, food exhanges and sample recipes.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Christian diet industry expands along with American waistlines, spawning new products and programs each year. In First Place: The Original Bible-Based Weight Loss Plan, Carole Lewis discusses the importance of giving Christ "first place" in life and of balancing daily Scripture study and prayer with healthy eating and exercise. It may not be rocket science, but half a million American Christians have found that the program works. Now that a book promises to take the program beyond its small-group church audiences and into a larger market, that number will likely increase.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Misc. Supplies edition.

About the Author

CAROLE LEWIS is the national director of First Place 4 Health, the Christ-centered health and weight-loss program. A warm, transparent and humorous communicator, Carole is a popular speaker at workshops, seminars and conferences around the country. She is also the author of several popular books, including Stop It!; A Thankful Heart; and Give God a Year, Change Your Life Forever. Carole and her husband, Johnny, have three adult children (one deceased), eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Regal; Revised edition (July 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830728635
• ISBN-13: 978-0830728633
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #790,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

117 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Program, March 28, 2002

By 

S. Birch (Corona, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: First Place Member Kit: The Bible's Way to Weight Loss (Misc. Supplies)

First Place is an absolutely awesome program, offering a balanced and spiritual approach to health and weight loss.

In the kit you will find a Member's Guide, which contains the essential information about the program, food and exercise plan, etc. There are also four motivating cassette tapes, 13 weekly commitment records, a neat little spiral bound Bible verse memorization book, and a journal in which to write your prayers.

The essence of this Christ-centered program is captured in nine basic commitments. These commitments include daily prayer, Bible study (using one of the First Place Bible Studies, such as "Life Under Control" or "Giving Christ First Place"), the memorization of one Bible verse/week, and daily Scripture reading--so it would be best to plan on setting aside some quiet time each day. Other commitments include a well-balanced food plan (similar to the diabetic or old Weight Watchers exchange program), regular exercise, and keeping a Commitment Record of your progress in all of these areas.

What makes the program work, though, is not the well-planned and reasonably priced materials. It's the fact that setting aside quiet time in this too-busy world to be alone with God will improve your life immeasurably. As you draw closer to Him, you will find that you develop and practice both self-discipline and gentleness with yourself.

First Place has a web site that offers the opportunity for support through various bulletin boards. I can attest to the fact that there are wonderful people on these boards, willing to support and encourage your efforts, and even to pray for you. ... There also is an online ministry available, for those who would like to practice the program, but who do not have a local group available. I belong to that, and have found it very helfpul. The web address for that is: rhbfirstplace.org

It has been less than 2 months since I first became acquainted with this program. I'm so impressed with the program that I'm planning on starting a local group shortly. My life has changed so much for the better in a very short time. A modest weight loss is just one of many blessings that have come my way.

May God bless your journey towards health and wholeness!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Program itself is excellent, but material include some non-essentials., September 10, 2005

By 

E. Barron "alphabetjungle" (Wyomissing) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New First Place Member's Kit with Book(s) and CD (Audio) (Paperback)

Why are you losing weight? To get ready for a reunion? To slim down for a family portrait? If you are looking for quick, short-term loss, this program is not for you. However, if you want to make a lifestyle change that will nurture you physically, mentally, and spiritually to be fit for a lifetime of honoring God, this is your program.

First Place eating guidelines are sound and moderate and satifying, but they are only part of the picture. This lifestyle change program also builds the habits of regular exercise, Bible study, prayer and Bible reading. The First Place program looks also looks at some of the ways we misuse food, using it to "meet" needs intended to be addressed by God.

This program is intended to be used in a group setting along with a weekly Bible study. First Place groups are meeting all over the country and provide accountability and encouragement. Generally they are free or very low cost, except for the initial cost of getting your materials, and the periodic purchase of additional Bible studies. To find a group in your area, go to www.firstplace.org.

I highly recommend this program. I have experienced success with it in the past and am enjoying it now. However I believe the Member's Guide (included in this kit) and the Bible study books (sold separately and also available here at Amazon.com) are the only essentials to do the program. For that reason, I wish the members guide was sold separately (it's not--I've looked everywhere), instead of as a part of a fancy kit. The other items are nice, but not essential ( For example, I can write a verse on an index card--I don't need a pre-printed pack! I can use a notebook for a prayer journal--I don't need a fancy hardback one.)

The First Place program is not magic; but if you buy this kit and make the commitment to follow and apply the principles in it, your life will be changed.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Place, first choice, August 10, 2005

By 

Xiao Feng Zhang (MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New First Place Member's Kit with Book(s) and CD (Audio) (Paperback)

First Place is a great weight-loss program full of healthy, insightful techniques and tips. While weight-loss is the primary objective, it offers a more balanced approach by focusing on the long-term health and well-being of the individual instead of purely short-term weight-loss.

Its food plan is basically adapted from FDA food pyramid recommendation in terms of categories consumption and serving sizes. However, it provides a few extra, more unconventional ideas regarding the food items that many people tend to ignore, namely meat and water. Most weight-loss plans advise on cutting down fats, sweets and stick to lean meat for protein. First Place goes one step further and advises the "meatless meal" and suggests the use of legumes for protein. According to University of Michigan Health System, legumes are "Low in fat, excellent source of protein, good source of fiber". First Place's meat plan is in line with University of Michigan Health System's recommendation of an "optional 1 - 3 servings" of lean meat per week.

Water "is an essential nutrient and makes up > 60% of adult body weight", also according to University of Michigan Health System. Many people are ignorant about that fact and do not consider water as a good aid to weight-loss. First Place emphasizes the importance of water and recommends drinking 8 glasses of water per day. Water fills up the stomach without any calories so one would be less likely to hunger for food all the time.

In short, the information one gets from First Place is worth more than purchase price of $60, giving the long-term health benefits one can enjoy. If someone with weight problem puts health as the first choice in life, then he should come to First Place.