Success story: Keeli O'Cain

O'Cain, before and after

Weight loss method: First Place 4 Health

Keeli O’Cain was looking for a “skinny quick fix” when she started the First Place 4 Health program at her church.

But after a few meetings, “I realized that there is much more to this life style change than losing weight,” she said. The most significant thing O’Cain learned from the program, she said, was “surrendering first place in my life to Christ.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, I did not and still don’t do anything perfect but I have learned the God isn’t looking for perfection,” she said. “Each day that I do my best to keep all nine commitments of First Place and live my life for his glory, he richly blesses me.”

First Place encourages weight loss, by helping members prioritize their lives. It helps members strengthen their faith while they work on their fitness and healthy eating goals. The program is offered at several locations in the metro area, including Crossgates Baptist Church.

O’Cain started the program at about the same time her youngest child started kindergarten.

“I was devastated,” she said. “For years I had a baby to take care of and now my last baby was going to school.”

Her husband pointed her to a passage in Jeremiah: “Call unto me and I will answer and show you great and mighty things that you do not know.”

“When I stopped letting the devil talk me out of everything that God was telling me, things starting happening,” she said. “By the time my First Place session ended I had agreed to teach a new Friday morning class.”

She said she feels called to be part of First Place, and now she treats her body like “the temple of God.” And she’s passing that message on to others: “I have encountered women who can relate personally to my situation and seeing them moving forward is an inspiration.”

“Oh, I almost forgot to mention the weight loss,” she said. “That has been amazing but it is truly the icing on my cake. The relationship I have with the Lord now is the most important thing that I have gained.”

To share your weight loss success story, e-mail sandi.beason@jackson.gannett.com.