Encouraging Someone To Join First Place

[ocnative]

I read about the First Place program in the LA Times a couple of weeks ago - what a great concept!

I am looking for some guidance on encouraging loved ones to join the program. I know that this program is spot on perfect for them, however, I have been hitting brick walls in trying to get them to read the article and to look into the program. I already know there is a First Place group in their area. Any ideas on getting them to check it out?


Any thoughts?

Thanks so much!

[Pat/TX]

Dear ocnative!!!

I fully understand your concern for your unresponsive loved ones. It's always hard to try to encourage someone to consider First Place and have them refuse. However, I've found that in most cases a person has to want to find help himself and no matter how much we want to "want" it for them, we can't. I would keep that article handy so you can pull it out at a moment's notice, but I wouldn't keep brining it up to them other than possibly to say occasionally, "I hear that the First Place group near you is really experiencing good results." You might contact that group yourself and get some "ammunition"....like how much their group lost in the last session or the last year. You might get the names and telephone numbers of the leaders so you would have them handy for your loved ones when they are ready....and meanwhile...just storm heaven with prayers that the Holy Spirit would speak to them and prepare their hearts and give them the desire to find God's way to weight loss. Continue praying this prayer until they are ready themselves to lose weight. Then you'll be ready with names and numbers to help them get started.

I know it's hard...but if you push them into joining because it's what YOU want for them, it won't work for them at all. The desire has to be theirs for them to really buy into the program and make it work for them. I'll be praying for you and for your loved ones that this will come to pass for them and God will get all the praise!

Pat/TX