Weigh Down Diet

GWEN SHAMBLIN

1 Proceed with caution when reading this book!!!
I began reading this book several years ago, but quit due to a nagging in me that something just wasn't right about it. Recently, I decided to give it another shot, and my husband - a Baptist minister - became my voice of reason, saying to throw the book away because she's a nut (due to her saying that people don't need their medicine for certain ailments, just prayer)Well, I decided to look into it, and lo and behold if she isn't listed as a cult... I read some articles from former members of her cult which said that she encourages people to leave their churches, friends and family to come to Remnant Fellowship out of Nashville, TN. She lures people through her seminars around the country. I'm not saying the book is all bad - the principal of eating only when hungry is a good one, just remember she is not a prophetess - as she claims - and has no background in spiritual matters.

2 Changed my life......
I had been a big guy for as long as I can remember. I remember the childhood jeers, the

painful (physically and mentally) gym classes. All of the ridicule, the pain of childhood can

all be attributed to my being severely overweight my whole life. My peak weight had to have

been somewhere in the 500's, just by judging by the pictures. I tried Weight Watchers, pills and

even a few "home made" diets. I could never successfully lose weight, at least not consistently.

The fact was that I loved food too much. I ran to it when I was sad, depressed, angry, whenever,

just to get that comfort, that feeling. Whenever, I got into my early twenties, and into college,

the food wasn't enough. I discovered the world of drugs. Soon enough, I not only ran to the

food for my comfort, but now, to the drugs. I lived for them, they were my everything. It was

never enough, I had to do more and more to be at "peace." After September 11th, 2001, when

I thought that this was it, it's time to get a new life. Funny how I thought that these things that

gave me comfort, only left me worse off than when I started. Now, I had been raised in church

my whole life, but at the age of eighteen, I left, after all, there was so much of the world out there

to explore, so much to experience, right? During all of this time, I met a lovely young lady, now

my beautiful wife, Maggie. She had been abused as a child, and we had a similar "running to

food to get comfort" story. Maggie topped out at 440 pounds, however, I didn't ever know her

at this weight. She had already started seeking for something else, for some help. Like myself,

Maggie tried Weight Watchers, Atkins's, amongst others. None of it was a permanent solution.

Someone had introduced her to the Weigh Down Workshop during this time of seeking, and

Maggie ordered their Weigh Down at Home kit. These were simply videos telling her that our

lives were not meant to run to food, but to God. They told her how to find when she was truly

hungry. It seemed so simple, but so revolutionary to eat when you're hungry, and then stop when

you are satisfied. Wow! Through watching these tapes at home, Maggie lost 180 pounds.

Shortly after this weight loss, Maggie moved down to Tennessee, to be closer to me. We began

dating, no longer long distance and soon found ourselves back up in weight again. Maggie

had gained back 50 pounds over the next year. Soon enough, August 31, 2002, we got married

and began our lives together as husband and wife. Maggie was soon miserable because of her

weight and just knew that something had to be done. Then she realized, she was in Tennessee,

this was where the Weigh Down Workshop was founded. So, she called the 800 number, and

began a class called Weigh Down Advanced in November of 2002. Maggie began coming home

telling me things about God that I had never heard, but sure enough it was there in His Word, and

the weight WAS coming off. So, I followed suit. I began my weight loss journey in January of

2003. Over the next year and a half, through the teachings of the Bible and through the

Weigh Down Workshop, I lost all of my weight, 255 pounds to be exact. Maggie continues to

lose, she has now lost 284 pounds, and is still going. This program has changed our lives in so

many ways. Not only do we have new bodies, which is really just the tip of the iceberg, but we

have new outlooks on life. We have been many trials throughout our relatively short marriage.

In October of 2003, we lost our baby daughter while my wife was seven months pregnant. We

later found that this was attributed to a genetic blood clotting disorder that my wife had gotten

passed down. The old us would have ran to the food, ran away from each other, simply put,

we would have just ran away from the pain. This was not the case however, we simply ran to

God. The teachings of the Weigh Down Workshop have changed many lives that we personally

know. We know that if it weren't for the kindness of the people at Weigh Down, for the amazing

seminars and books, that our lives wouldn't be. We would be hopeless like we were before. I

know that many out there are looking for answers, and please let me tell you, it's out there.

My wife and I have been given new leases on life and we praise God every day for them. So,

if you are struggling, even if weight isn't your problem, please consider The Weigh Down

Workshop. Many have entered Weigh Down with all kinds of addictions, issues and problems

and have come out of these classes with the answers. Together, Maggie and I have been ridden

of close to 530 pounds, and counting, eating whatever we wanted, but within the bounds of

hunger and fullness. I challenge anyone out there to visit the website www.wdworkshop.com

to see the changed lives, to see the answers, to find out how to live a better life. Praise God!!!

3 FROM SIZE 28 TO SIZE 8/10
THE WEIGH DOWN DIET BOOK HELPED ME LOSE WEIGHT AND I AM NOW A SIZE 8/10!!!!! AT MY LARGEST I WAS A SIZE 26/28 AND I AM ONLY 5 FEET TALL! I also did the Weigh Down classes--which really help and keep you inspired and supported. Weigh Down is also having an event this summer, Desert Oasis, so check out the website at wdworkshop. com

4 Has helped me keep the weight off.
This book, as well as other books Ms. Gwen Shamblin has written, has helped me keep the weight off for the first time in my life. I have always tried other diets and was able to lose weight only to put it back on within a month's time. Its been a year now and the weight is still off. I am happier now and love to read my bible and love to just think about God instead of food. Its wonderful not to have to plan what I'm going to eat, or count points, or fat grams, or calories. It is true freedom if I stick to this very simple method of waiting, praying and then eating.

5 This book changed my life!!
Before reading this book and putting it into practice, my life was a rotten, miserable lie. I was selfish, mean, lonely, afraid of everything, dependent on prescription drugs and antidepressants, gaining weight, and claiming to have a relationship with God. Through Weigh Down, God has opened my eyes to the fact that this life doesn't have to and should absolutely not revolve around ME! Long story short, my life is completely the opposite of what it was before. I am happier than ever, I love others more than ever, I'm never lonely even though I often am physically alone, I'm not afraid, I am off all pills and have never functioned better, I've lost all my excess weight, and most importantly I have gained a true relationship with God Almighty that I wouldn't trade for anything, nevermind extra food! This book is an amazing gift from God.

6 The TRUTH will set you free!!!
This book has changed my life!!! I have been overweight and struggled with my weight my entire life. Other than food I chased after anything that would fill me up, but only God can fill up your heart!! He has made sure of that, so that nothing down on this earth can satisfy completely!! If Freedom is what you want, then the truths in this book will point you upward to a God who will set you FREE!! I hope that you take the time to research for yourself, don't take the worlds opinion, has dieting ever worked permanently?? Why are you still looking for the answer then??? READ IT!!!

7 Don't believe the detractors - Jesus was accused too.
I have checked out Weigh Down, Remnant Fellowship and Gwen Shamblin. Gwen will not accept praise for herself or followers who want to be "Gwen groupies"--she unfailingly points people upwards to God. These are sincere people who are making their whole lives about pleasing God instead of serving themselves. If that's not what you want, you will not be interested in Weigh Down. If it is, you couldn't find better materials anywhere except in the Bible. The way to know for sure if Weigh Down and Remnant represent true Christianity is twofold: 1) read your Bible all the way through, read Gwen's books too, and see if Weigh Down is saying exactly the same thing; and 2) follow what the Weigh Down Diet book says wholeheartedly and see if your life changes 180 degrees for the better. I did and I would never go back to life before Weigh Down. Not only did I lose 85 pounds, but I lost the greed that had always brought the pounds back when I had lost weight before this. This weight is staying off because my heart is a new one, as promised to followers of Jesus Christ when they let go of living as their old selves. If you say you are a Christian but think you can't let go of sin, good news--you really can have a new, abundant life. Check this book out.

8 Twisted Scripture
Gwen has some good principles in her book, but she consistently takes scripture out of context. I remember laughing out loud at some of her mix-ups. You WILL lose weight if you follow her method (only eat when your stomach growls), but I think there are much much better ways than waiting until your body tells you-- "Hey, I'm starving!" She claims the headaches will eventually go away, but my body must be the exception to the rule because the headaches never went away.

I would seriously consider researching (just type Gwen Shamblin and cult into google.com) her before buying this book and contributing to her self-made, self-proclaimed church/movement.

9 Let God fill you instead of food!
The main point of Ms Shamblin's book is to trust in how God created your body; He made it perfect! My family has been reading this book and attending the classes and it is working not just with weight loss but in so many other aspects of our lives. The author clearly states that our bodies were made to want many different types of foods. Yes, I may desire Mickey D's for lunch, but I only need half the burger and a few of the fries, not the whole thing. Then for dinner I may just want a nice crunchy salad. Sure, I love to take a nice walk in the gorgeous sunshine, but I'm not a slave to exercise anymore! The thing that makes us mess up is when we start to ignore how we were made, and try to fill the need for God with food, cigarrettes, alcohol, etc.

I have never heard anything from the Weigh Down Workshop books, classes, etc that was not coming from a place of honesty and love. I believe that the reason so many "Christians" have a problem with this series is that they want to say they're good Christians because they attend church, or sing in the choir or give a little money to charity, but they want to continue to poison their bodies with cigarrettes, or greed for too much food, or over-drinking. If you are a true seeker of God, I'd recommend this book and that you take it's principles to heart and not let things like greed or pride get in your way. I know I am much happier since I did.

10 Where is God's grace?
I have done some research on Gwen Shamblin, she is a cult leader and it frightens me that she is using her weight loss books to teach others her very limited and legalistic view of God.

11 Funding and Recruitment Base For Remnant Fellowship
For the person looking for a spiritually based weight loss guide... it works. Gwen replaces food with God. The message is so strong that almost all WeighDown people know that overweight people are sinners.
Weigh Down Workshops are recruitment pools for Gwen's church, Remnant. Using your lost weight as her proof of how she can change your life, she will ask you to leave your church for hers. She is a self-proclaimed prophetess that demands total obedience. I lost my wife to this cult. The prgression is: WDW, WD Advanced (recruitment hook), then Remnant. ALL of the WD Advanced / Remnant people here in my area MOVED TO TENNESSEE!

12 A Mixed Blessing
I don't quite know how to rate this book. On the one hand, the principles Gwen sets out in this book do work. When I started this program back in July I weighed 239 (the heaviest I've ever been) As of today, with the Lord's help, I weigh 212. I've always known I could never stick with a restrictive diet. But this is one I can stick to. It's so easy and no one has to know. You can eat this way in public or anywhere else. No one will know unless you tell them. I feel this book is biblically sound.

That said, I do have serious reservations about recommending this book because of Gwen's new church. I have done some research and do believe it is a cult. While I would recommend this book to others, I cannot recommend anything Gwen has written since "The Weigh Down Diet" Which is a real shame. If it weren't for her teaching of false doctrine, I think Gwen would have some great insights to share with anyone who has ever struggled with their weight. But under the circumstances, I think it best to avoid the teachings of Gwen Shamblin (apart from this book) at all costs.

13 Been to the meetings and now know why they don't work!
I consider myself a caring and giving Christian woman: I volunteer and mentor in my community and struggle with saying No to more opportunities to do so. I have attended many Weigh Down Meetings here in Alabama (the Exodus from Egypt series) and after trying and failing after several attempts to lose weight (apparently despite every non-food related good deed I do- I am still irredeemable because of overeating) I finally tried to figure out why this program wasn't working.

For one thing, I found myself immobilized by guilt. I must be the worst person in the world, unable to choose food instead of my God. Unfortunately for me and all those like me who poured so much of herself into this program for years, this is the wrong cure for this particular hurt. Feeling more badly about myself for overeating, is all that I've ever achieved with this program. It has made me question whether I am a good person in the eyes of God because of food! (I can't help but think this isn't what God would want. And I know many many wonderful God-fearing women who've dropped out of Weigh Down and left feeling more despondent about themselves)

Please I urge everyone to not buy this book and instead buy "It's not about Food" by Carol Emery Normandi and Laurelee Roark - the founders of Beyond Hunger. Gwen has "borrowed" much of the same principles from this program (Eating whatever you want as long as you're hungry; Recognizing that food is being used to fill emotional holes) but with some very important differences. For one thing, you learn that you are entitled to the very emotions that lead you to overeat in the first place, rather than "giving them to God" and not being allowed to have them again. (I recall accounts of Jesus also having emotions here on earth) You are lead on a gentle, spiritual, and caring path to recovery from binging/overeating, rather than being stuck with guilt and self-disgust about having this soul-deep struggle in the first place.

14 Why aren't Christian's healthier????
Must be all the pot lucks? We need to keep our inheritance and keep good care of our temples. this book will help. I also like Jordan Rubin's "Maker's Diet" and Pastor Henry Wright's "A More Excellent way", which talks also about the spiritual casues for weight gain.

15 Cults are as Cults do
If you could take the diet principles away from Gwen Shamblin and the Remnant church, then you might have something worth supporting. Unfortunately - she has become the idol of the church - and the church lives a cultish existence. Best not to get involved.

16 It Works!
The title of my review is true! I am a former Weigh Down coordinater and a number of years back lost all my weight on this program! I loved Gwen's teachings and they brought me so much closer to God. Now a few years later I find she has left her church and started her own(The Remnant)It clearly states on her website that if you are not obediant to God you will not be saved.There is no Grace in her message.We are saved by grace not by works lest any man should boast.I am saddened by this change because this program had the capacity to help lots of people but due to her blatant twisting of the Word of God I must and with profound sadness no longer support her book, teachings or program. The better alternative is Judy Halliday's Thin Within. If you are still interested in Weigh Down I suggest a search on the Web where you can read for yourself Gwen's beliefs and the statements on her site.See www.remnantfellowship.org and read for yourself the statement of faith. God Bless you all in your walk with Him!

17 WARNING
Before you buy this book, join the Weigh Down Workshop, or in any other way financially support Gwen Shamlin's enterprise, I urge you to become aware that she is the leader of a cult called Remnant Fellowship. You can read an excellent article on the midwestoutreach.org website. Just search for Gwen Shamblin. Thank you and God bless!

18 I've tried every diet and always come back to this one
I started this diet in 1997 and went to the classes in addition to reading the book. I lost 5 lbs that time,but every time I would try other diets such as pills, shakes, etc I always came back to Gwen's teachings. Most recently I have lost 15 lbs from eatting when hungry and stopping when full and reading Gwen's book about praying to God for my needs when I want to overeat or eat when not hungry. I've had a weight problem all my life and I'll be 35 this year. I've been on anti depressants off and on thru out my life and those contributed to my weight gain. I couldn't lose the weight until I was off of Paxil. Most recently I tried Slimfast once again and I was so hungry and miserable I finally decided that there is no quick fix and go back to the teachings of Weigh Down because it does work. It's really up to you. It can work quicker if you are faithful to your own hunger cues. Like Gwen had said on one of her tapes, you may not win every battle, but you have to fight it.

19 Gwen saved my life by bringing me to Christ!
I have been so troubled by the negative reviews some readers have given this book. As a professional dieter, the message in Gwen's book was a breath of fresh air. It's simple. Eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full. Gwen's point is, that if you're addicted to food, it's really not that simple. She shows us how to turn to God in those moments when food is calling our name, and we know we're not hungry. Her teachings are biblically sound. She never references scripture without giving the exact reference, so you can see for yourself where she gets her teachings from. I was saved before I read this book, but I wasn't attending church. Not only am I attending church, but I love to go, and spend time with the Lord each and every day. I didn't know it was possible to have this kind of peace in a person's life. I have been saved from my depression, anxiety, and 25+ pounds of sin (and still counting). If you're going to make a negative comment about the book, at least read it first!

20 All I know is, it works!
It is clear to me that Gwen Shamblin is a Christian and loves God. I'm not going to get bogged down in trying to decide if she believes something that others think she shouldn't. That, to me, is between her and God.

All I know is, when I eat the way the book suggests, I lose weight. All my adult life I wondered what is was I had lost touch with - because I knew as a child I ate what and when I liked, and I was thin. When I read this book, I understood! I realized when I was a child, I ate if I was hungry. If I wasn't hungry, there was nothing that was going to make me eat! I remembered once being told to finish my meal so I could have dessert and I remember saying "I only have enough room for dessert" - and it was true! I remember being in the hospital when I was 12 and the nurse coming in to get my breakfast tray, and I had only eaten a couple of bites. She started questioning me about whether I was trying to lose weight, etc. etc. - clearly she thought I might be anorexic. And that was SO FAR from the truth. The truth is, I just wasn't hungry - so I didn't eat much!

Anyway, I have tried lots of diets, but this is the one that works. Wait until you are truly hungry and then eat only until you are satisfied. And when you are hungry, you can eat again. That has a tremendous psychological effect on me - I'm not telling myself I can't eat, I can't have this and that, I can only have a certain amount, I'm just going to have to be hungry. Instead, I know I can eat when I'm hungry and I can eat whatever I want to eat, I just need to stop when I am satisfied. What a difference being able to eat half of what is on my plate and push it away and NOT FEEL DEPRIVED.

All you have to do is learn to listen to your body again. I did that in childhood, and now I have learned to do it again.
It really works!

I agree with what someone said in previous review: Don't judge - that's God's job!

21 Bravo!
I gave this book 4 stars because it has helped me so much. I always thought I was a failure for not being able to stick to a regimen of grapefruit halves, boiled chickens, and dry salad. Through this book, I have come to realize there is a better way -- a successful way. For those who knock this approach to weightloss... well, the evidence speaks for itself. One to five percent of regular dieters stay on their diets and keep the weight off. Up to 78% of those who attempt this approach are sucessful. It's life changing...this book is. The only reason I didn't give this book 5 full stars is because I save that review for the Bible =) But if there ever was a dieter's companion bible., this book would be it!

22 Look deeper into the author's views.. She started a cult!
Normally I don't write reviews but if it means that I can warn even one person about this book, then I served my purpose. As a new Christian believer, I am learning to turn to God and fill that void in my heart that I used to fill with food. I had no idea that there were even any bible based weight loss programs. I was doing it on my own through prayer and thats it! Then as I am browsing the bookstore for some inspirational Christian prayer books I saw Gwen's book. At first glance, Weigh Down seemed like the answer to my prayers! I bought the book, and started reading the first couple of pages and I thought WOW, this is great! However, being anaytical in nature, I decided to do an internet search on "weigh down" and the "weigh down workshop", and to my surprise, there were many articles of warning, not about her diet.. but about the CULT she started called Remnant Fellowship. Anyhow, the whole thing just made me uncomfortable. Being a baby Christian, there are enough bad influences out there, I don't to be subtly indoctrinated with her cultish pseudo-Christian views. I prayed a lot, and asked the Lord to guide me in the right direction. Anyhow, I am returning the book immediately, and I'm going to look into other Christian based weight loss programs that are BIBLICALLY SOUND. Otherwise if its not biblically sound, its is really no better than any other diet program out there, you know? I am going to check out the book Thin Within by Judy Halliday...

23 AMAZING, WONDERFUL, INSIGHTFUL, AND HELPFUL!
This program has done wonders for my weight and my health! I have lost 30 pounds so far through the Weigh Down Diet and plan to work the program until I reach my desired weight. Gwen's ideas are inspired and so Christ-centered. This program is worth it's weight in gold!

24 This works!
This book is excellent and definitely works. I've already lost 22lbs in 2 months. My mom read this book went from a size 16 to a size 6. This was years ago, but she kept it off. She then coordinated several Weigh Down Worshops at church. I'm in the process of begining a class myself. This "diet" really does work, if you're willing and ready to commit to it. You don't have to exercise to lose weight, and you can eat the foods you like. No more diet foods.
Yes, Gwen gets a bit long winded at times, and maybe some of her nutritional advice isn't entirely accurate. I'm no dietician either. You have to read this, as with everything, with a critical, intelligent mind. She's human like all of us, but her advice does yield significant, longterm results. God give gave you an intelligent mind with which to critcally analyze and process the information. Use your head and a lot of prayer to decide what is right for you. It's not gospel, so don't take it as that. Even Gwen always tells you to talk to God and follow his lead, not hers. That's why there's few strict rules.
I highly recommend you read this book. The "non-diet" is easy to follow and it will change your life. It's worth the $....
For the record, I just graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology and was raised in the Catholic Church. While the book is written from more of a Protestant point of view, it is approachable by anyone, reguardless of your background.

25 Good faith, bad science
This is exactly the kind of book that gives Christians a bad reputation. While the message of focusing on God instead of food is a positive one, this book is filled with mis-information about nutrition and health. I find it alarming that the author is a registered dietitian...she should have her license revoked! Here are just a few examples of her recommendations that fly in the face of sound nutrition. First, her "sample menu" for a day near the end of the book includes highly processed foods that are loaded with fat, salt, and junk. Secondly, she recommends aspartame and defends its safety record, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. (Just read Dr. Andrew Weil's or Ann Louise Gittleman's books for the TRUTH about artificial sweeteners.) Thirdly, she insists that taking multivitamin supplements is unnecessary, in spite of the fact that her diet consists primarily of devitalized foods. Throughout the book, she presents unscientific opinions as "facts" to support her arguments. If you must read this book, focus on the spiritual advice and ignore the nutritional misinformation. You can get solid nutritional advice elsewhere. An excellent beginner's guide to nutrition can be found in the book "8 Minutes in the Morning" by Jorge Cruise.

26 The principles are valid, the theology is not.
I would recommend "Thin Within" instead. It is more grace-based than Mrs. Shamblin's book, though the principles are similar.

27 God alone is GOOD
I have found that this is the only diet that had worked for me. When I tried in my own power and strength to lose the weight it would only come back on more. The major thing that God really helped me with is self esteem and self image. I thought being thin or fit was the only way to be truly happy. When my relationship with my Heavenly Father increased the weight decreased. I told God "I want less of me and more of you. I committ NEVER to over eat again in my life! Thank you Lord for helping me to lose this weight." Needless to say, that was in July of 2002 and now in October of 2002 I have lost 25 lbs. I exercise about 2 or 3 times a week, but the most significant thing that changed my weight was the amount of food I intake. I eat 1/3 to 1/2 less food, and don't even worry about what I will eat or when I will eat. God made our bodies to let us know when we are hungry. I enjoy exercising and lifting weights, it helps me to put my flesh under and to allows the Spirit of God to talk to me because it shuts my flesh up. I highly recommend this program, but eat the hay and spit out the sticks. Gwen got a great revelation of these things, but seemed to go beyond her gift and calling with her doctrine. I say to those who don't like this program or are "scared" by it, to take what she says with a grain of salt. Not everything she says is totally right on, but the general idea and revelation of her relationship with Jesus is what will keep her going. When we realize that God alone is our source then it will only work that way.

28 I did research also.....
When I took a week vacation from work, I decided to spend a great deal of that week doing research online about The Weigh Down Diet as well. I do not think anything I found was "Scary", although I did see that alot (and I stress.. A LOT) of people had alot to say about it. Yes, I think the founder of WD has gone a bit off track from her original message, but no, I have found nothing to be intrinsicly alarming, although I do recommend you use your own God given common sense. I think the founder "found" herself being put upon a platform by followers of her diet, and I think as a human being put in a God-like status, it is a big burden to carry on her shoulders. I think this may be one reason for her intense views in the last couple of years. At any rate, I think the first book "The Weigh Down Diet" is an awesome book that gets to the root of many problems. I also like the Weigh Down at Home series. Just remember, nothing is black and white... use the mind God gave you and the free will He gave you to be your Utmost for His Highest... and please, do not judge!

29 One Word...RESEARCH Gwen & Her Church
I became involved in weigh down 4 years ago at my church. And, at the time I thought the program was great. I lost 44 pounds, my husband lost 35 and we both grew closer to the Lord. The whole time though things didn't seem right...like scriptures were being taken out of context...like I had to do all these works for the Lord to love me etc etc etc. Then, Gwen's views on the trinity became public and I backed off from the program. Unfortunately, I picked the book up again not too long ago and things still weren't sitting right with me. I decided to do some research on the web and let me tell you it was SCARY! Praise God the Lord opened my eyes to this woman's warped views and beliefs. If you are considering becoming involved in this program I want to encourage you to research it in great detail. You can even go to the weigh down website and click on the link to The Remnant Fellowship Church Gwen and her husband started and read some pretty scary stuff there. Procede with caution!

30 The truth
This book, and the Weigh Down program has saved my life as well as my relationship with my boyfriend and with God, especially. It is really just GOD working through Gwen in Weigh Down that saves. This book is about mere Christianity. If your church isn't teaching you to lose weight, then it is not the true church. The true church, God's remnant, teaches us to fear God and look to Him only to fill all our needs. If you are considering getting this book, don't hesitate. Do what God says and you won't be sorry, I promise! If anyone tells you differently about Weigh Down, don't listen. Anyone who claims they cannot do this program or that Weigh Down is wrong is in essence saying that they can't be a Christian and that they are unwilling to submit and love God, and they are calling God a liar. When you put God in the center of your life, everything, comes together; people stop drinking, smoking, overspending, overeating, etc. Because you are surrendering to God and letting Him take care of you! I HIGHLY recommend this book!

31 Exodus from Legalized Rules
For those that knock the Weigh Down approach to eating because Gwen does not put foods into the catagories of "good" and "bad" based on nutritional value, and because she does not strongly recommend regimented exercise... let me tell you that you are missing the point (bigtime). This whole premise is about walking a closer walk with God and consulting Him (the creator of your body) on EVERY issue (not just the body and food, although that is a good place to start for food/body focused people.) Let go and let GOD guide you in how you should eat, WHAT you should eat, and when. Take him along with you when you move your body (I.e. exercise) instead of doing it because a plan says you have to. It is about developing that inner guide instead of depending on an outside force (diet rules, exercise plans, food plans , etc) to do it for you. The diet industry and food regulations are an immature way to handle it. Be an adult and think for yourself (and I promise you, if you ask God for assistance, He is right there, ready...willing... and able to help you out every step of the way.)

32 Opposite World
I not only read the book, I have been in the classes. It is the first and only Program I have been on where I have not by now gained all of my weight back +. I first started the Program in 1996 and I lost 34 pounds. My overall health was never detrimental, but I needed some help in my digestion and cholesterol levels. The Weigh Down Diet helped my body in areas that I didn't know I was sick in. I will never be the same. Anyone who says it is unhealthy and unscriptural, simply "have not tried it". It is just too freeing for some. I am free indeed.

33 eureka!
The simple truth in this book helped me to finally give up dieting and eat like a normal person. To my surprise I even lost some weight (and I was not overweight to begin with - from size 6 or 8 to a small 4) and more importantly, I have a lot more time to focus on more important things in life than calories and fat grams!

34 Weigh down...way off
I found this author to be unbiblical, despite quoting Scripture throughout her book. She also prescribes an eating plan that is unhealthy and dangerous. One simly cannot eat the same foods over and over again and expect to be healthy. Any one with common sense knows that we cannot eat all the brownies we want (stopping "just before full") and not have it adversely affect one's health. This book is not sound biblically nor nutriuosly.

35 The bad outweighs the good both spiritually and physically
I read the book and have taken the course at my church (after hearing a disclaimer that Gwen is now doctrinally unsound but that the FIRST series and book is ok).

First the good:
1) Ms. Shamblin stresses how food is used as a placebo to stifle emotions.
2) She explains that we use food to meet a need that can be addressed primarily by turning to God for support and prayer.
I though this was excellent.

BUT...
Then the bad:
1) She misuses Scripture to back up her opinion. For example, she quotes Scripture about "false prophets" as evidence that DIETICIANS have fed us untruths about food! She also uses the exodus out of Egypt as the theme that God will take us out of the desert of overeating.
2) Ms. Shamblin does not believe in exercise as part of weight loss and *makes fun* of those who take vitamins.
3) She strongly condemns those who take antidepressants saying that they are suppressing God given guilt; that there is no such thing as a "chemical imbalance". As proof, she talks about how birds get up and sing every morning. They don't "pull down their shades" and refuse to "get out of bed." (Whatever you believe about antidepressants, this is a ridiculous argument.)
4) There is a very strong undercurrent of "works" not "grace" running through the teachings. If you overeat just "one bite", you have sinned and need forgiveness. Ms. Shamblin teaches that those who are overweight have sinned against God and are not pleasing to God because they have disobeyed. Some of the most loving, devoted Christians I know are overweight. What of them?

Lastly, I'm not the only one who had trouble with the book. Of the 12 people that signed up for this class (using the book), only 6 stayed on. Four felt so condemned (either about antidepressants or inability to lose weight, that they left deeply discouraged. Two others were concerned enough about her use of Scripture and her teachings to drop out.

In summary, I think Ms. Shamblin does offer some good advice about learning to stop when you are full. But if you are looking for a Christian weigh loss program with sensible advice and sound teaching, you might look to Thin Within.

I cannot recommend this program or book.

36 Great insights, but not the last word.
There are two really great things about this book. First, it helps those trying to lose weight to realize that eating behaviors influence calorie intake (and therefore weight) as much as what is actually eaten. Mrs. Shamblin encourages three basic changes for the overweight eater to make:

1. Eat only when physically hungry
2. Eat slowly, savoring both food and company.
3. Stop when full, not gorged.

If you can follow that advice, you can't help but to reduce your calorie intake significantly!

The second great thing about the book is that it promotes more prayer and a better relationship with God as the best way to stick with the healthier eating program. That's a fresh perspective for a weight loss book! On the other hand, Mrs. Shamblin has a religious outlook that is partly Evangelical Protestant and partly her own. This outlook is definitely reflected in her spiritual and scriptural perspectives, and those of us who don't share her beliefs might want to turn to other sources for that "closer walk" with God. Further, the author's desire to support *all* her ideas using Scripture leads to weak or even odd biblical interpretations in a few parts (e.g. page 81). Yet overall, the religious aspect of this book is a plus.

A very big weakness of the Weigh Down system is that the rules above are seen as "God's Way" of losing weight, so that other methods (cutting fat, less sugar, more fiber) are wrong or even ungodly! Even exercise is not strongly encouraged. On the contrary, the best diet plan is the individualized integration of many good habits. No one thing should be done in an extreme manner; nutrition, good eating behaviors and exercise should all be used according to the person's needs and temperment. It is particularly important to "err on the side of caution" with respect to complete nutrition; many respected authorities see nutritional lack as being a big problem in this country.

So read this book, then read several more to get a well-rounded perspective, so that you can follow that on-and-only, unique program that is best for *you*.

37 Good-but use common sense
I've lost about 30 lbs on this program. I think it has some very good advice, but think you also have to use a lot of common sense. And really listen to what your body says. I could eat at McDonald's every meal, just until full, and probably continue to lose weight. But will my body tell me that it likes that, and feels healthy? Probably not. So I think you have to consider what you eat, and try to get a variety. Just not obsess on it like some programs make you do. And don't starve yourself, eat until you are full, and eat when you are hungry.

38 It does work!
If you are serious about losing weight for good, get this book. Although I do not agree with Gwen's current views on the Trinity, I do know that this program works. This book introduces you to the program and if you can not attend a class, is all you need. The program makes sense, is simple, and works. In the program, if you truly listen to what your body is calling for and eat when you are hungry and stop when satisfied, you will not overeat and overstress your body, will be eating a wide variety of food, and free yourself from weight and diets forever. In addition, you will become closer to God than you thought possible.

I started Weigh Down and lost 20lbs. I stopped because of the concerns about Gwen's theology and instead over the past year and a half began vegetarian, low-fat, and whole food diets. As a result, I gained 20lbs, my cholesterol which had been normal while on Weigh Down rose to 255, and I now have to wear a monitor which measures my fluctuating heart rate. Well, no more! I know what works and it is Weigh Down. I'm going back! Get the book, read it with an open mind and do it. You will never regret the purchase or the many "jewels" you will receive as a result of the program!

39 Finally a Diet that WORKS!
This is an excellent book! It has totally changed my whole way of thinking about food. I had tried so many different diets, I was tired of restricting myself and following meal plans. After my aunt lost 25 pounds on the Weigh Down Diet I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did!! I lost 35 pounds and have kept it off for over a year. I have a low thyroid that I am on medication for and that did not have any effect on my ability to lose weight with this diet.

This did not feel like a diet, being able to eat anything you want. By following Gwen's adivse and only eating when your stomach tells you you're hungry and stopping when you are pleasantly full, it seemed so simple. The first few weeks were the hardest, but this book changes the way you think and feel about food. After about a month it seemed so natural not to eat unless I was truly stomach hungry and I didn't mind if I left portions on my plate. Before long I passed up desserts and my favorite night time snack....ice cream. However, if I was still hungry I did not feel guilty having a little dessert. Not only did this book improve my health it also helped me get closer to God!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about losing weight. It will change you life and free you from the constant battle to lose weight! This wasn't just a diet for me, it was a lifestyle change!

40 you can lose weight
my review is going to be short and sweet. you WILL lose weight on this "diet"!It is not a diet but a totally new way of thinking. i lost over 60 pounds and have kept it off for over 3 years. please just give this book a try!

41 Stop dieting as we know it!
It's such a simple plan, and yet so revolutionary for our time: "Eat when you're hungry. Don't eat when you're not." Ms. Shamblin presents a well-crafted book to help readers get back to the way our bodies were made to be: slim, healthy and happy. She gives us a very interesting and eye-opening section detailing the way in which our bodies need and use food. She encourages us to seek fullness from God rather than from food. This book helps the reader put food back in its place as a neccessity of life, not a love affair or hobby. Very eye-opening! If you're sick of denying yourself happiness by using different diets, you must read this book, and get your whole self--body and soul--back on track.

42 Simple truths that make a big difference
If you are considering losing weight, I hope you will give this a try. The basic ideas in the book are simple and truly effective. Over several months, this book helped me relearn my eating habits and changed my whole life for the better. I lost forty pounds, and have kept it off for a year now with absolutely no regain. Best of all, food is no longer a source of worry in my life. I am not nearly as bubbly a Christian as Shamblin and many of the Weigh Down participants, and I have heard various criticisms regarding Weigh Down (some of which are just silly), but none of that changed the effectiveness of the simple, true message in this book. My family eats a much more nutritious and varied diet now, cooking is much more fun, we are more aware of God, and we feel much better physically. This little book made a big difference to our whole family.

43 Losing control can be a good thing!!
If you feel like your weight, your eating habits, your relationship with food, and even your life as a whole are out of control, think about this--are these things even yours to control? Give them all to God--they are his anyway. Weigh Down took me from a size 14 to a 4, but more importantly, it showed me a God who is so in love with me that He will move mountains to gain my love in return. It is an amazing book! I read some other reviews citing concerns about accepting junk food and the lack of emphasis on exercise, and I felt moved to share my experiences. When I accepted that the food wasn't bad and worked on changing my responses to food, I found that I could eat chips and dip(no low fat for me!) and satisfy a craving without eating the entire bag out of boredom! Fat is okay! Calories are okay! Sugar is okay! You may go on a chocolate splurge initially because the guilt is gone--However, as you become more in tune with your body and your God-given hunger and fullness signals, you will also become more aware of your body's need and craving for healthy foods. In my second or third week I remember feeling hunger and looking in the refrigerator. I went straight past the french onion dip and the leftover fettucini alfredo and zeroed in on a tomato. I had never seen anything more appetizing in my life! God will take care of you. He will make your body crave healthy foods and a balanced diet. He will make your body crave exercise so that it can feel strong and capable. He will provide! You have got to let go and let God. I think that in this book and in her sequel "Rise Above", Gwen Shamblin has the courage to step on some toes and question almost every ingrained attitude and belief about food that our society has fed us over the years (no pun intended). I reccommend this book to anyone who feels out of control. Give the control to God, and watch his miracles take place in your life and in your wonderful body. Thanks.

44 Shamblin distorts the Bible to blame and demonize fat people
Gwen Shamblin starts off with a good idea -- God can give you strength and comfort when dealing with weight problems, as with other problems. But then, she adds in a lot of things that don't make sense. For example, she claims that everything that exists was made by God, therefore all foods were made by God, therefore you should enjoy any food you want, as long as you only eat a little. Using her reasoning, heroin and cocaine were made by God, so it's OK to enjoy heroin and cocaine "in moderation"!!

Shamblin also promotes the idea that obesity indicates a lack of closeness to God, which is offensive. I have two pet cats who are thin -- are they more religious and spiritual than I am? Are my two other cats, who are fat, less spiritual and religious than my two thin cats? In laboratory studies, rats become enormously fat when a part of the brain (the ventromedial hypothalmus) is removed. So, does cutting out the ventromedial hypothalmus sever the rat's connection to God? I was fat even when I was an infant, and throughout childhood. Did this indicate that I was using food "to fill a spiritual emptiness in my life," even before I was weaned? Obviously, obesity can result from all sorts of things that have nothing to do with a lack of spirituality.

Shamblin is quite serious when she says that that fat people aren't close to God: "God does not go down to the pigpen," she said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (October 30, 2000.) She believes fat people can not be saved and are not children of God (same interview.) I guess Shamblin feels that murderers can be forgiven, but fat people are just pure evil. Maybe Shamblin should take a closer look at the Bible -- where does it say that being fat is a sin? I don't remember "Thou shall be thin" as one of the 10 Commandments. Shamblin should read Proverbs 28:25 "He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat."

45 Trust
The Weigh Down Diet is not just about food, structure, diets, or punishing yourself as a means of making yourself fit the status quo of the public eye. The Weigh Down Diet is about giving it all up to God. It's quite a challenge, but once you start you realize just how easy being thin and healthy can be. Foods you never used to glance at suddenly seem so appetizing! The best part is Gwen Shamblin is an expert. She knows the human body, she knows nutrition, and she knows GOD. I recommend this book to anyone in need of some spiritual and physical healing.

46 Oy Vey!
One theological point I take issue with in this book is that God's Word concerning clean and unclean foods represents "tedious eating rules" to paraphrase Gwen. Do Christians really believe that Jesus would eat pork and other unclean foods, which are detestable to Torah-observant Jews, if He were here today? I don't think so. If you study the full context of all of the "all foods are clean" verses in the New Testament, you will find that the various Jewish writers are in fact not declaring pork and other such foods to be clean and suitable for human consumption. Skip this book, and try "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living," by Dr. Rex Russell.

47 Right Idea
I have read and tried many diets only to gain more weight like everyone else. But now I know that 'eating when hungry', 'eat what you want only until you're full' works best and that by doing so, your body lets go of the blockage and stressful energy that dieting mentality gives your body in the form of 'extra weight'. I have always thought that being obsessed with when, how, what we're told we're supposed to eat has only put tension, taken away my self-control and my natural ability to lose weight. Having said that, this book's ideas are just what we need but even being a Christian myself, it's the case of 'using God's name in vain'- it's a little much to say that God wouldn't have put junk foods in the world if it wasn't meant for us enjoy. Well, does the same apply to drugs? This book could have just given us simple outline much like the book by Deepak Chopra- 'Perfect Weight'. I think it's the one that makes the most sense, is simple and together with a book by Stanley Burroughs, 'The Master Cleanser' (used partially in the day so as to avoid a whole lengthy fast) works tremendously well to get a hold of your true appetite. I understand Gwen's good intentions but it really is too exaggerated by carrying a good idea too far.

48 This book can help the hopeless!
I did not have an easy life. I was abused as a child and I allowed myself to blow up to 230lbs at 5'7". I had just gotten out of a life threatening relationship with someone when god put this book in my path. I was truly broken spiritually, mentally, and physically. I was at the lowest part of my life and I could not bear to look at myself nude in the mirror. The Weigh Down Diet book is the book that truly made me realize how much God loves me. I am now 23yrs old and have been holding a steady weight of 138 for 3 yrs. now. Gwen Shamblin's book teaches you how to let go and let God be everything for you. The rules of this book go against everything that we have been taught in school. We are not supposed to count calories, fat grams, sugar grams, etc. These focuses just leave you feeling paranoid everytime you put something in your mouth. Please read this book, you will not regret it.

49 I must read for all who have struggled to lose weight!!
If you have struggled with a weight problem as long as you can remember ( like me ) this is the book for you. I finally feel free of food, and I am losing weight!! I have never felt, so much freedom in all of my life. This is the first time that I have been on a diet that as soon I started, I knew this was the last diet that I would ever need.

50 A good basic concept of eating, but...
I enjoyed The Weigh Down Diet because it addressed the issues that people have with eating for the wrong reasons. However, after speaking with my doctor about this plan, he alerted me to a couple of major problems.

First, Gwen doesn't emphasize exercise as part of the WD Plan. My doctor pointed out that exercise is vitally important to overall health and wellness, not to mention the benefits to your cardiovascular system. Also, if you leave out exercise, then if you ever eat too much, you have the chance of gaining back the weight you lost initially.

Also, as another reviewer mentioned, Gwen basically says you can eat anything and lose weight, as long as you don't eat too much. The theory may be right, but in practice it doesn't add up. Your body needs a variety of vitamins and other nutrients to function properly, and subsisting on barbeque and brownies doesn't give you the balance you need in a diet.

Finally, I am concerned with the people who may get discouraged because they feel like God isn't allowing them to lose weight. I say that because Gwen leads you to believe that if you pray, study your Bible, and follow her principles, you will lose weight. Sometimes that doesn't work, and so there are those who will feel that God has given up on them, and that worries me.

I have found that, although I didn't lose as much weight initially, the First Place plan worked better for me, because it gives you guidelines for healthy eating, motivation to exercise, and accountability within your small group.

Gwen's concept of not eating unless you're truly hungry is sound, but the nutritional and fitness advice leaves much to be desired.

51 OUTSIDERS view of the Weigh-down diet
This book arrived to someone who had given up on ever making another diet work. Well overweight and discouraged. it was like a light in the night, it just made plain common sense and tied in with so much I read in the Bible but had never heard taught. Gwen gets to the heart of the matter! She challenges you to consider the myths around dieting and discover for yourself what is really keeping you FAT! It worked for husband and wife and our children too. In summary she says, eat as often as you are hungry and only eat as long as you are hungry. Listen to your body's feedback which is a God-given gift. She has some revolutionary points of view on all sorts of things - refreshing a and likely to make you think and thin. Get it!

52 Let the Lord guide you in His Word & be diet-free forever!
Having struggled with bulimia for 20 of my 37 years, it was'nt until the Lord led me to this book and began showing me in His Word that He wants me to love Him with all of my heart and mind and soul and strength and my neighbors as myself. The Lord has used His Word and His child, Gwen Shamblin to heal the hurts and deliver many from a food-focused, excercise-obsessed, lo-fat calorie-counting,always-feeling-deprived,tried-every-diet-in exsistence,yo-yo-weight,unhappy,frustrated,struggling-to-live-the-Christian-life people. Just like the Bible, the message of The Weigh Down Diet is simple: Love God First. The Lord has enabled Gwen to shed His light of truth on why obesity and eating disorders are on the rise in America today: We are a food-focused weight-obssessed society, and until more people understand that loving God more than anyone and anything is the only way to be who He created us to be,the trend will continue. The Lord continues to use Gwen to spread His message of love across the world. Gwen is able to use humor, her own experience and the Word of God to share with all who are interested that God created us with a perfect system and a hunger and fullness mechanism which works perfectly when we listen to our bodies and not our hearts. Gwen points out the importance of eating only when we are TRULY hungry and stopping when we are POLITELY satisfied. Americans have become desensitized to true hunger and instead eat for all the wrong reasons. The difference between this and any other "diet" out there is Gwen learned from the Lord what to do with head hunger or emotional eating: Go to God. And in this book she gives extensive insights about how to do that. In my experience, there are other "programs" out there teaching the concept of "eat when you're hungry and stop when you're full", but the part that's missing is what to do with the desire to eat when you're not physiologicaly hungry. Taking that head hunger to God and asking Him to take it away is the only long-lasting cure.

53 False Teacher
Beware...... Gwen Shamblin is a false teacher of the first degree. She denies the deity of Christ and the Trinity. This book teaches not freedom but bondage to her system and works. Be very careful friends.

54 it can work.
if you are at a place where you are feeling lost and out of control, then this is the book for you. I have read it and for the first time in my life, I have lost weight (10 lbs. so far) without being on a diet. I eat whatever I want (ice cream, cheese, etc.) and don't worry at all about it. I actually crave and eat healthy things now and have more energy, which makes me actually want to exercise. I don't stuff myself with all the synthetic, body-corroding 'Fat-free' junk anymore and eat more natural and simple foods. By focusing all my energy on my relationship with the Lord, I have quit fighting myself and all my urges and desires. I am overjoyed that by simply giving in, He has given me the one thing I have craved for so long - being thin! My weight loss has been continuous and steady, but it took about 3-4 weeks before anything happened. Don't be discouraged and keep praying - you will feel like the weight of the world has come off your shoulders before you ever lose a pound. It's all about faith.

55 Two Years And Counting!: A Weigh Down Testimony
...I was a person who tried many different diets and diet products and exercise programs...I heard about the "Weigh Down Diet" from friends. I dismissed it as yet another diet fad. Then about a year later I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile. She had lost a lot of weight. In very casual conversation, she told me about the Weigh Down Diet and how it affected her life. This is someone I highly respect and look up to. Soon, I ordered a copy of "The Weigh Down Diet" for myself...

I began putting the ideas of WD into practice the very evening I received the book. And I have never gone back!

I am happy to report I lost all the extra weight and have been maintaining my weight now for over TWO YEARS! This is the first time I can ever say I have done this.

Not only that, contrary to what many people might believe, I am extremely healthy. In fact, I'm rarely sick. And since reading the book, I've been learning to seek God more and more for help in other areas of my life. Even now, when I am tempted to eat when I am not truly hungry, I call on Him to help me and He's not failed me yet! As a result, I have a healthier body (one I'm also happier with) and an even closer walk with Him.

What could be better? :-)

56 THE Answer to Dieting
This is the answer to endless dieting Its message is so clear and compelling. Gwen has truly found the answer to endless dieting and damaging overeating. She has been able to communicate to those of us obsessed with food the way to set us free. The principles apply to all other areas of life also. I read the reviews of people who had read Gwen's book. The main thing that impressed me was the number of people who reported their lives being changed by Weigh Down, not just that they had lost weight. After I read both of Gwen's books, I became convinced that she had the true answer. It has been a great blessing. I am easily maintaining my weight, enjoying food and learning more about devotion to God.

57 This is the answer to endless dieting
I have purchased this book for all my family members. Its message is so clear and compelling. Gwen has truly found the answer to endless dieting and damaging overeating. She has been able to communicate to those of us obsessed with food the way to set us free. The principles apply to all other areas of life also. I was overweight as a child, and lost weight during puberty. But I have always felt heavy and have needed to diet or try to control what I eat all my life to maintain a normal

weight. I was successful. I weigh 120 lbs at 5'5" tall and I am 50 years old. Recently I had noticed that I was really preoccupied with what I could and could not eat. I didn't want to lose weight, but merely maintain my current weight. I had read every diet book written (except Gwen's) and know every calorie in every food. I have shelves of cookbooks. I had the most success on a vegetarian diet, but I still was overly preoccupied with what I would eat. Prohibitions and dependence on rules and calorie counts caused me to binge out from time to time. I went to the Internet. I found the Weigh Down Workshop. I read the testimonials of people who had taken the workshop, and the reviews of people who had read Gwen's book and recorded their comments at Amazon.com. The main thing that impressed me was the number of people who reported their lives being changed by Weigh Down, not just that they had lost weight. After I read both of Gwen's books, I became convinced

that she had the true answer. A local Weigh Down Workshop was starting in 2 weeks, and I called to join. It has been a great blessing. I am easily maintaining my weight, enjoying food and learning more about devotion to God.I never thought to ask God to help me with my eating. It just never occurred to me. I feel so free now. Gwen is so scriptural that I know she is speaking the truth. I devour her books, videos and tapes. I plan to coordinate my own class in the fall. Thank God for Gwen, and what she is able to so clearly impart. I no longer even desire to overeat, and I believe that I will be able to help others in this area. I am so zealous about this program that I need to hold myself back sometimes. But I have opportunities in my work and in my church to pass this on to others, and I pray that God will continue to lead me in this endeavor.

Nancy E. Given

58 This is the answer to endless dieting
I have purchased this book for all my family members. Its message is so clear and compelling. Gwen has truly found the answer to endless dieting and damaging overeating. She has been able to communicate to those of us obsessed with food the way to set us free. The principles apply to all other areas of life also. I was overweight as a child, and lost weight during puberty. But I have always felt heavy and have needed to diet or try to control what I eat all my life to maintain a normal

Nancy E. Given

59 I think the author's heart is in the right place but........
Hi I've read the Weigh Down book, and attended 2 of the weigh down workshop series at a local church. I think the author's heart is in the right place, but the heavy emphasis on guilt when you overeat in both the book, and in the workshops were not helpful to me in maintaining a weight loss. Maybe my view of God as more forgiving or understanding of our human weaknesses than Ms Shamblin's God got in the way. I do think that non Christians would feel uncomfortable with the sometimes heavy handed attitude of "THE CHRISTIAN WAY IS THE ONLY WAY". In summary, the approach of eating what you want when you are really hungry, and stopping when you are satisified IS a good one, but I don't believe the possible underlying intolerance is helpful.

60 16 years old & lost 20 lbs safely!
I am a 16 yr old girl and I used to be overweight with low self esteem, and I was killing myself walking 2mi a day but it just wasn't helping! I have fibromyalgia and everyone who realizes what that is knows that you just don't feel good enough to be at the gym struggling with your weight. But then I started this weigh down diet and discovered that I can eat whatever I want and that all of those rules people taught me like "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" or "Eat all your vegetables first" really weren't as healthy as people thought. While my cousin battled with her anorexia I lost 20 pounds over 6 months and I've kept if off for about a year now. I went from pushing a size 13 at one point to my current size 3/4! Losing the weight has really helped me with my self esteem AND my illness because I was able to lose the weight even though I became weak and couldn't do the workout thing anymore. I was concerned about the focus not being on all the vitamins and the "carbs" and blah blah, but the author's whole point was that anything is healthier than being overweight because your body really has a hard time. But I know it wasn't the book alone because it was praying to God for his help that has given me the success!

61 Spritually rewarding
My wife and I both found this book to very spirtually rewarding and highly recommend this book to anyone who has an type of problem that they have not been able to defeat using conventional man made devices.

Truly, food is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to physical dependencies and God can help overcome them no matter what they are

62 Thought provoking book!
Gwen offers a lot of thought provoking ideas in her book the "Weigh Down Diet". Instead of turning to food, Gwen suggests we turn to God. I really feel Gwen has a lot of spiritual richness to share. I am not surprised that many are finding success with the program. "Eat when you are full. Stop when you are hungry" thats Gwens motto and a sound one. I give her book high marks for reminding us of what is important. I do however, have reservations regarding this book. Thin and fit are not always the same thing. You can be slender and not fit. Gwens suggests that you eat whatever you want. I agree you can in moderation but I also feel one should recognize that some foods lack nutrients. Though these foods should be enjoyed I do feel that an effort should be made to eat nutritious, life giving foods. But Gwen does not seem to feel this is important. How much you eat is more important than what you eat, she says. While that may be true for overall weight loss, it is not true for health. Her sample diet lacks in basic nutrients. There was hardly any calcium for example. And as Gwen does not believe in supplementing with vitamins etc. I feel the plan could cause problems in the long run. In addition Gwen supports the use of aspartame which some studies have shown can cause health problems. Gwen does not appear to support exercise either. Exercise if you want, she says, but its not going to help you lose much weight. Gwen seems to forget that exercise helps keep you fit! She mentions that our Grandparents did not set foot in a gym. And that may be true, but many of them led active lifestyles. Today many of us live a sedentary life. Exercise does not have to be formal (ie done in a gym) but activity should be worked into the day to stay fit. Exercise is also wonderful for good mental health. The spiritual aspect of the program is the core of the book. I feel Gwen writes with her heart but I feel that each individual needs to develop their own personal relationship with God. It will not be the same type of relationship for everyone. Gwen has very strong feelings about what God thinks and what God wants you to do. Her ideas of God demonstrating negative emotions, such as jealousy etc. conflict with the idea that others have that God is an all loving, accepting force who supports you no matter what. At times I was uncomfortable with Gwens thoughts. Some of what she said just didnt feel right to me. But Gwen does not seem to allow for individuals to have their own feelings about God. This is what God thinks and what God wants according to Gwen and there is no other way. Personally I prefer to view God as a total loving spirit that will support me regardless of if I eat too many cookies or not. Overall though I feel Gwens book shares some interesting thoughts and her idea that too much emphasis is on food not on the spirit is wonderful. I would recommend reading it for some of the insights she shares. But I would also take heed that good nutrition and exercise are very important.

63 The Weigh Down Diet
All I can say is I wish I could talk to Gwen and let her know my true feelings about this book. I've been an obese person all my life and I have tried every diet in the world and failed. I had a hard time putting the book down because it inspired me so much. She ties in scripture with every day life. She shows you how you can not do ANYTHING without turning to the Lord. She showed me what I was doing wrong all these years using mans rules instead of turning to God the one that has carried me through life. I would recomend this book to anyone who has a problem and needs the Lords help. I have told alot of people about the book. She shows you how much you can do when you lean on "Him". I am far from what I should weigh but I know with this book and my God I will make it. Thank you Gwen and Amen.

64 I am back after reading the book and keeping the weight down
I wrote earlier about my first impressions of the book. I amplease to say that I have lost 12 lbs and back in a size 8 dresses and jeans. I feel great and I look like I am a teenager in the face again. Everyone sees the difference and I have more energy than ever.

For those who are criticizing the book, please take heart that there are others who are pleased with the results to each his own.. Thank you.

65 Weigh Down is an awesome book
I have read this book as well as the follow up book, "Rise Above", and they are both wonderful. The practical advise she gives, as well as the Spiritual advise, are right on. There has not been a better "diet" book ever written. These books are full of good, SOUND, scriptual teaching that will change your life forever. I know, I have lost over 60 lbs. and my wife 130 lbs. and have kept it off for over two years following the principles set forth by God through Gwen. Not only are we healthier(lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, my wife is no longer hypoglaucemic, etc., etc.), but we also have a healthier marriage because you can apply the principles to all areas of life.

This book is a must read!

66 Grandparents could relate
I bought this book a couple of years ago and thought it made complete sense. I smirked at some of the other reviews because these people have been completely "brainwashed" by man-made rules! In one of Gwen's tapes, she mentions looking closely at the way our grandparents ate. I did this and the whole Weigh Down program really hit home. I lost a grandmother to pancreatic cancer 5 years ago - she was 89 years old and had never eaten a low-fat food in her life! I lost a grandfather a year ago to heart failure - he was 91 years old and had never set foot in a gym. Two of my grandparents are still living and both of them are in their 90's. You know what? They eat small amounts of food when they are hungry and don't exercise much at all. When they were younger, they went to church every Sunday and tried to live the way God intended. Sound like what Gwen is trying to get across to us in her book? I think so. My grandparents and great-grandparents all lived to a ripe old age and it wasn't because they watched what they ate, counted fat grams, calories or went to the gym everyday. They ate when they were hungry, stopped when they were full and looked to God for guidence. This is what Gwen's books are basically telling us to do. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to lose weight or just wanting spiritual fullfillment.

Oh, yeah, I am currently attending the workshop at my church and have lost 21 pounds since Feb.

67 CLOSENESS
I HAVE FINISHED READING THIS BOOK, AND I HAVE BEEN TRUELY BLESSED BY IT. THE LORD USED THIS BOOK TO SET ME FREE FROM OVER EATING. I DID NOT RELIZE THAT I WAS USING FOOD AS MY COMFORT ZONE. WE NEED TO FINE COMFORT IN THE LORD NOT FOOD. HE GAVE US FOOD TO ENJOY BUT NOT TO BOW DOWN TO IT. GOD TOOK ME ON A JOURNEY THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON EVER SINCE. I HAVE SEEN THE JEWELS EVERY DAY THAT HE BRINGS TO ME. I HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGHT FIREY TRIALS TO SEE IF I WOULD BOW DOWN AND BINGE. THE LORD BROUGHT ME SAFELY THROUGH HARD TIMES. WHEN IN OTHER TIMES I WOULD HAVE TURNED TO FOOD. THIS BOOK IS NOT ABOUT DIETING OR LOSING WEIGHT, IT IS ABOUT FINDING REST IN THE LORD, AND TURNING OVER TO HIM THE KEYS TO OUR BROKEN HEART. THIS IS ABOUT A PERSON'S HEART AND WHERE IT STANDS BEFORE GOD, AND FOOD. IN READING THIS BOOK KEEP AN OPEN HEART AND ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION AREAS OF STRUGGLE AND SIN. IF YOU DO THIS, AND GET YOUR MIND OFF LOSING WEIGHT YOU WILL SEE ALL THE JEWELS THAT THE LORD HAS CARVED OUT FOR YOU IN THIS LIFE. THE REWARDS ARE SO MUCH MORE FULL FILLING THAN RUNNING TO THE FRIDGE. I NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME HEAR MY STOMACH GROWLING, AND I CAN ENJOY WHAT EVER I LIKE TO EAT WITHOUT THE GUILT. THE LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY THE DESIRE TO OVER EAT AND THE SHAME IS ALL GONE. THE PLACE IN MY HEART THAT WAS EMPTY IS NOW FILLED WITH HIS LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. I AM TRUSTING THE LORD TO BRING TO PASS THE DESIRE WEIGHT LOSS THAT HE HAS DESIGNED FOR MY BODY. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL THOSE THAT NEED TO BE SET FREE AND TO THOSE THAT WANT MORE OF THE LORD IN THEIR LIVES.

68 Unanswered questions....
Ask any reliable medical person what works for weight loss and it is simple. Don't eat more calories than you can burn off each day. And realize that a certain segment of society will have a set point for weight and no matter how hard they try they will never get to the insurance co weight charts in the doctors office. Then there is the person who is very physically active and has muscle and not fat mass and can weight more. I think those who succeed with this diet are great. But I also think it isn't a diet we need but a lifestyle change as many other reviewers have mentioned. And prayer be you Jew or Gentile works. But we live in a lonely society and many people eat out of stress and loneliness and until that is worked on they won't lose weight. Now a question. Have they done an unbiased study of those on this program, who have lost weight and what percentage have kept the weight off, 1, 2 5 etc years? That will be the key. I was also a bit sad that the book was for christians only. Or so it seemed to me.

E A Grant

69 Starting Weigh Down soon
I've been reading these reviews from negative and positive alike. I would like to say that the people that are for this diet, more power to you. If it works for you, fantastic! For those of you that the diet didn't work for, that's too bad. I hope you find a new one. I've only read 1/2 of the book that was reviewed, but there are certain things that I agree w/ Ms. Shamblin on. For example, I would rather eat a sausage w/ saurkraut packed w/ at least 15 grams of fat and only finish 1/2 of it, than swallow a fat free hot dog and go back for more and more because I'm not getting what I want, which is the fat. If you think that Ms. Shamblin is twisting her words, then what do you call the manufacturers that tell you to eat all the fat-free, salt-free, and sugar free food you want? You all can call this a diet or not, but don't make a review unless you look at the full scope, and that is, when it comes to food, ANYONE who is trying to sell things that have to do w/ dieting or food have a control over most of the population of this country.

70 A New Christian Cult and 0 Stars
Re-read both the Editorial Reviews Amazon.com "God's power--not 'will power." "relationship with God," then read the reviews from customer reviews, and tell me how many times do you read Jesus? This is a Christian fad book with it's own cult following. Having seen the author on Larry King (CNN) all I can say is if this woman is a registered dietician she isn't a good one and indeed if you take her advise in my opinion it could hurt you. Add to this Biblical passages taken out of context with no theological understanding of their meaning and you can see she's also lacking in theological facts. And her "sin" theory is nothing short of wrong and cruel!

I also had to laugh when one considers that most thin people (the pretty people) are also non-christian. And how many have eating disorders opposite of obesity? How many like the French drink wine with meals and stay thin? How many walk more and simply eat low fat and fewer meals? How many simply use common sense? The facts are. If you eat whole healthy foods in moderation, drink more water, cut the junk food out eat low fat and move your body more you will lose weight. Yes you may lose 1-20 lbs on this or any other diet but stats show you probably won't keep it off and that most 10-20 lbs is water. To lose and keep weight off is simply a lifestyle change.

Lifestyle not a simple fad answer but long term. She also seems to forget that there are those who are thin simply because they burn food off faster.

I have family members who can eat for three and not gain a pound and others who like myself in order to lose weight have to walk more, eat low fat, stay away from meat and dairy and watch calories.

The author is no different from the late night Infommercials where people are selling excersise machines and fat burner pills. It does not have to cost you money to lose weight. Simply spend your food dollars on fresh fruits and vegetables and no junk food. Sit down and eat with others, and only eat meals and eat your last meal 5-6 hours before going to bed. And sleep enough at night to be fully rested. Walk more. This is a cheap work out and everything I have read says that walking burns fat and is good for the heart and doesn't cost you any money to do. OK well maybe the expense of comfy walking shoes. Now I believe that G~d can help me lose weight or do anything positive but thru self discipline.

If WEIGHT DOWN is her answer to gluttony heaven forbid what her book on money management will do.

What is it her New Testament says about people in sheeps clothes?

71 very good
I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF READING THIS BOOK, I FIND IT VERY SPIRITUAL AND UPLIFTING. I CAN SEE HOW GOD HAS USED GWEN TO BRING ABOUT INFORMATION ON DIETING, I HAVE MY SELF DIETED SO MANY WAYS AND AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I HAVE STILL BEEN UNSECUSSFUL AT DIETS. I AM READING THIS BOOK AND LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT. I DO PLAN AND PRAY THAT I WILL ACHEIVE MY GOAL TO BE WHAT THE LORD WANTS FOR MY SIZE. I AM CURRENTLY OVERWEIGHT OF 60 POUNDS OVER. I WAS WONDERING HOW LONG BEFORE I SEE THE DECREASE IN SIZE. I AM EATING WHEN I WANT AND WHAT I WANT AND THAT HAS BEEN FUN, BUT I AM STILL GAINING WEIGHT. PLEASE SEND ME AN E-MAIL AS TO HOW LONG IS EXPECTED BEFORE I START LOSING THE WEIGHT? I AM ON PAGE 116 AND I HAVE CHECKED THIS BOOK OUT FROM THE LIBRARY........THANK YOU TAMI

72 Use discernment.
While it is wonderful that the author talks about a common and socially acceptable sin -- gluttony -- I do have some cautions about this book. First, be cautious whenever anyone writes as if their ideas are "God's" ideas. For instance, the author purports that eating one bite beyond full is a sin and requires an immediate prayer for forgiveness. Does the Bible support that idea? Yes, the Bible states that gluttony is a sin...but does the definition of gluttony include "one bite beyond full"? The book also loads guilt and feelings of condemnation on its readers, while the Bible clearly states that Christians are forgiven of sins because of Jesus and we are not condemned (Romans 8:1). I suggest that you ask God to help you incorporate all the truths that are in this book but leave behind anything not from Him.

73 Use common sense
I have read all the reviews out here and congratulate those who have been successful. I also understand the criticism that '1 star' people have shared. Personally , I think that this type of 'intuition', 'listen to your body' type of diets are the best and natural means of losing weight but noone should ever get religious and praise God for their weight loss. At least not go over board. Just plain and simple, listen and trust teh body that God gave you.

74 Leaving behind my shackles . . .
I was always mystefied by super-skinny people who ate full-fathot dogs, full-fat cheesecake, and full-fat Lasagna and didn'texercise except for lifting their fork. How did they keep such a nice figure while eating like that?

I figured that I was just unlucky, a victim of "bad genetics", "bad habits", or "bad foods". I have tried every diet that has been around: low-carb, low-sugar, low-fat, raw foods, you name it, I've been there! I wasn't too much overweight (just about 10 pounds) but I obsessed about food day and night.

One day, while browsing in a Christian book store, I saw Gwen's book. I opened the front cover and read, "I can eat a candy bar and stop in the middle if my stomach is not calling for it." With that simple phrase, I bought the book.

Although I am struggling, I believe that this is the way to lose weight . . . permanently. With God's help, I will be able to stop in the middle of my beloved 3 Musketeers . . . and throw away the rest.

75 Not particularly religious but it's working for me, too
I was pretty wary when my brother asked me to sign up for the workshop with him and buy the book, as I'm not particularly religious, and I don't feel the personal relationship with God that Gwen does. However, once beginning the program, I was drawn in by the common sense approaches. So many reviewers below seem to take aspects of the program out of context. Of course exercise is not wrong. But exercising obsessively in a attempt to control overeating is. The program is NOT telling you to stop exercising.

Similarly, I read complaints that reviewers felt guilty when they overate because they felt they were disobeying God's will in addition to their own. Perhaps this issue is dealt with in more depth in the tapes, but one of the wonderful aspects of this program is how it focuses us AWAY from guilt. As Gwen emphasizes, we all make mistakes. She doesn't want us to feel guilty! She just wants us to try to refocus, quickly, so that the overeating gradually becomes the exception, not the rule.

Sure it's hard to get in the habit of eating less. This is not a quick-fix, lose 10 pounds in two weeks program. That's why it's better. I hesitate to even call it a "diet", since I'm simply eating less. I've lost 9 pounds in about 4 1/2 weeks. That may not seem like a lot to you, but the only other time in my life that I've lost more than 12 pounds on a diet was when I was on Redux, and we all know how that story turned out. And of course I gained it all back once I stopped taking the diet pills.

I fully expect that it will take the full twelve weeks to make the lifestyle change of eating less a habit. And that's fine with Gwen (and, I assume, with God!). Gwen focuses on incremental progress in eating habits rather than numbers on a scale. I think that can only be good. I recommend the book and the program.

76 A Life Changing Book
I read this book when I received it in the mail by accident 2 years ago. I did loose and keep off 27 pounds and lower my cholesterol and increase my energy. But, more importantly, I learned to depend on God more. I learned that He cares about even the smallest details and decisions in my life. Society today has told us to "go ahead and eat all you want, it's lowfat", forgetting that too much is not a good thing. Forgetting about calories and the body's ability to "ask" for what it needs. This book teaches that you can cut fat and calories drastically by decreasing the amount of food eaten. I allowed myself to eat what I wanted when I was hungry. You would be suprised how quickly your taste for sweets and fatty foods subsides when you are not deprived of these foods when you want them. My weight is down, my cholesterol is down, and my spirits are up thanks to Gwen,but more so thanks to God. He created us and had it all planned out in the beginning. There were no fat free foods in the garden of eden.

77 The Weigh Down Diet
This book has changed my life for the better--permanently! The author's views are unique, yet biblically and spiritually sound, carrying the power to revolutionize one's relationship with God. She gives very practical, simple, commonsense advice about how to have victory over the many ways to suffer from the bondage to food through overeating.

78 A life changing book
I was between 90 and 100 pounds overweight. Needless to say, I have tried every gimmick, every diet pill, diet powder food, diet powder drink, fasting, low carb diets, rice diets, liquid diets, fruit diets, low calorie, no calorie diets there are! PRAISE THE LORD that I finally tried this book! Which is NOT a diet. It is a book about learning to LIVE in a thin body as GOD intended for us to do from the beginning of creation. I am feeling wonderful and down 24 pounds. I have been a christian since 1984, and I have never known the LORD as I have experienced Him since picking up this book. This book has opened my eyes to the relationship the Lord ment for all of us to have with Him. After many years as a christian, it is a relationship that I did not even know could possibly exist. And in the process, I am finding a thinner me.

79 Gwen brings honesty and knowledge to teach others how eat.
I was introduced to the book by my son's teacher. I noticed that she was much smaller than the first time I met her. In her hand was the Weigh Down Diet book. She began to tell me the weight she was and the trials she had been through before she got the book. I was amazed at her testimony and the testimony of others that I met. I could see the difference in their weight and how they felt about themselves. I myself am 20 pounds overweight. I purchsed the book and I have not been able to put the book down. Gwen brings honesty and nutritional knowledge to teach us how we eat. God was her tool to keep her using this particular practice to keep her weight down. The spiritual passages are helpful and useful. I do not believe that she is pushing God down the throat of her users. On the other hand, she gives you the information and allows you to decide what is important to you. If I do not reach my goal to lose the excess 20 pounds, I will definitely not blame Gwen. All anyone can do is provide you with the information. It is up to you to listem to your own body and allow yourself to learn from each mistake. This "diet" is practically free - compared to other plans that make you buy food other than what you cook for your family. "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink"

I noticed so much with in the first 24 hours how much I overate. How much I ate because I was bored, needed to taste that piece of cake, emotional depression, and stress related depression. The way that Gwen presented the informaiton was so close to home...I laughed, I cried, and I shared the information with friends. I never knew a diet book to be so fun to read. It was like reading a wonderful novel - I was eager to get to the end and find out more.

When I lose my first 10 pounds, I will write back to show my progress. Thanks, Gwen, in advance.

80 Good message, but we do need water, exercise, calcium, etc.
I think that Gwen has great ideas on slowing down. Not being so in love with the food. Eating what your body wants so that you will not binge. Turning our hearts to God rather than food. All of this is great. BUT, I know that my body needs exercise daily along with water and calcium. I believe that Gwens heart is in the right place but her nutritional values for water, vegtables, calcium, etc. is questionable. I realize that yes the body takes what you give it and makes what you need but after a long extended period of eating JUNK food your body wears down and no longer functions properly. Yes, this does happen with the extreme obese but it also happens with the skinny french fries junky. My uncle died of heart failure at 45 years old and he was only 20 pounds overweight. The reason: too much fast food clogged his arteries and it can happen to anyone who eats to much junk and does not exercise and take care of the body God gave us.

Yes GOd does want our hearts but he wants us to use our heads when we eat. I do not think that God really created the Frito I think it was trees with fruit and vegtables was the goods of the land. I may be wrong but she might be also.

Please pray about this diet. Also note that she has only been 15 pounds overweight in her heavy years at least that is my understanding from Weigh DOwn at Home.

81 The End Begins
Before, I read this book, I was coming to the realization that God must have created our bodies with the ability for it to tell us what it needs for survival. After all, His Word tells us, if He takes care of the birds and the animals, how much more will he do for us? The only overweight birds and animals, that I have seen, were in captivity, being cared for by human beings. This book gives me confirmation that I need to be obedient to "His" will for my eating habits. I need to learn to discern between "Physical hunger for physical food" and "spiritual hunger for spiritual food(the Word of God)" . Today I weigh 429 lbs. THE END of my struggle BEGINS today. With Jesus Christ in my heart I have the power of the Holy Spirit to win this battle. This book is a tool, God has given me, to use for motivation and encouragement, along the way. I will tell, everyone I know, about this book because everyone, with or without a weight problem, needs to be in the center of God's perfect will. God bless everyone who struggles with being overweight. I trully beleive if we follow the principles, laid out for us, in this book, we will be successful. A SISTER IN JESUS CHRIST ETERNALLY!

82 The End Begins
Before, I read this book, I was coming to the realization God must have created our bodies with the ability to tell us what it needs for survival. After all, His Word tells us, if He takes care of the birds and the animals, how much more will he do for us? The only overweight birds and animals, that I have seen, were in captivity, being cared for by human beings. This book gives me confirmation that I need to be obedient to "His" will for my eating habits. I need to learn to discern between "Physical hunger for physical food" and "spiritual hunger for spiritual food(the Word of God)" . Today I weigh 429 lbs. THE END of my struggle BEGINS today. With Jesus Christ in my heart I have the power, of the Holy Spirit, to win this battle. This book is a tool, God has given me, to use for motivation and encouragement, along the way. I will tell, everyone I know, about this book because everyone, with or without a weight problem, needs to be in the center of God's perfect will. God bless everyone who struggles with being overweight. I trully beleive if we follow the principles, laid out for us, in this book, we will be successful. A SISTER IN JESUS CHRIST ETERNALLY!

83 FREE AT LAST
I have spent thousands of dollars on weight loss gimmiks. I am so happy that Gwen wrote this book and only wish I had figured it out long ago. The program IS healthy if you make the right choices. Since I went on it I choose to eat "healthy" most of the time but I don't feel guilty when I desire something fattening THAT is the freedom I have lost weight and will continue to do so with Gods help. Thank-you so much Gwen you have helped to SET ME FREE.

84 Be Careful! It will catch up with you!
I lost 20 pounds fast on this diet. I think I even wrote a review here recommending the book. The problem is once I stopped going to workshops and reading the books (workshops are at least $50 a piece) the weight poured back on. Only now I don't watch what I'm eating.

It's dangerous to tell folks they can pour on the salt, not worry about the fat, and ignore exercise. Just don't eat. It's fasting - not dieting! And when you stop, and you're used to the salt and the fat and the lack of exercise, you'll gain more, more quickly, and then have to deal with the guilt that you're being disobedient to God by eating!

Let's leave God out of the diet discussion, and bring him into our hearts. I think the author's heart is in the right place, but her suggestions border on compulsion.

85 My Friend lost 50 pounds on this diet
I haven't read the book yet, I'm ordering today. One of my best friends lost 50 pounds on this diet and has kept it off!

86 Not a diet its God's way AND it WORKS. Praise Jesus.
I would like first to say Thank you Gwen for giving of your self to the Lord. This is the only "diet book" I have read that is not looking for money or looking for gain for them selves but has given the Bible and given the glory to God.I am a mother of Two and with my first child I had a desise called tocimia that helped a long with my help in ganing 99 bls. I never lost the waight with her and I then had a nother child 6 years later fearing I would gane more wate,I only ganed 45 the secound withch I keep 15 of that.A year and a half after my secound baby I was walking down a side walk and I crossed a set of windows were I could see my self walking I started to cry I could feel my bottom moving and see it. I drove home that day crying out to God for help. A week later a freind of mine from church and I went to the libary for book time for are kids and I was ready to rent all these "diet" books out well she said "You want to lose wate?" I said Yes! She said "I have just the book for you and I Promise you, you wont read the rest of them." She was write I read the first 2 chapters and went out and bought my own. I don't by book's mind you. I have lost 55lbs with 40 to go I went from a 24 pants size to a 14 in 5 months I want to be a 10 Im above my goal.But better then all that I have had a quite time with my Jesus every day some time 3 or 4 time's a day and That is so blessed. I have bought another of Gwens books for my old boss God told me to, I new she would read a diet book befor she would read the Bible and this book gives the gospil so clearly Im Praying that it will not only change her outwordly as it as for me but her heart For Jesus. I have 2 other freinds that have read this book also after seeing what it has done for me. God is so good. He Know's what we need if we will just go to him for it hell give it. I recomind this book to any one, not just those over wate. I could tell you other ways I have aplied this to my life but not enough room. I wish I had enough money to bye 50 more of her books casue I would I know so many people how could be blessed by it. I need to tell you one more thing It says in the book to be brunt if you are filling like your alone ask him to show him self. I could not sleep one night so I went to him in Prayer was Praying for about an Hour I asked him if he would show him self cause I was filling alown Not to sucure I new he was but some time we humans need the PROF I asked if he would show me an Owl. Well the very next night I could not sleep again so I got up it was about 2:00 in the morning and I was playing on the web looking for clip art for my church Awana. I was just playing all the sudden I come to this page and there on that page was not 1 but two Owl's Staring me strate in the face. I was so Moved I can not even begin to ecsplan the filling that came over me. God was with me that is all I need to Know. Thank you Jesus. I have read Gwens book now 3 times and I have that print out of the Owls in my book to remind me of times like those when Im filling alwon in this waight thing. I Go to the Lord for dayly food instead of the frigerater. Thank you Gwen for giving to the Lord. I am a living example of what GOD can do if we just GIVE IT TO HIM Because it not a "DIET" it's GOD's way and nothing else will work.

87 This book has changed my life!
For the past six years I had been continually putting on weight, at about ten Lbs. a year. I was to the point of total depression. I had tried everything from counting fat to running five miles a day. Nothing seemed to help. After reading this book I felt like I had hope, like I never had before. I started applying the principles that Gwen talks about, and I started losing weight immediately. After five months I lost 50 Lbs. I then got pregnant, and I gained a lot of weight in that pregnancy. But it has been 5 months since the birth and have lost all my weight again, by letting God fill my heart. He had most of my heart before weigh down, but now he has 100%. This book is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I feel healthier and stronger and more energetic than I ever have before. For those people who worry about the nutritional and health aspects of this book, just ask my doctor who said that I am in much better shape and much more healthy now than when I was lugging all those pounds around on me. When I told my Doctor how I lost the weight, he said it sounded very nutritionally sound. Thanks Gwen for following Gods inspirational call to you to write this book and begin the weigh Down Diet.

88 True freedom
Regular diets don't work, at least not in the long run. Many of us know this from personal experience.

The WeighDown Diet does work. It's simple, it's freeing, it's life-changing.

Some people disagree with Gwen Shamblin's principles and ideas. This is no surprise, since she is so out of the mainstream. However, Weigh Down really does work, and I have never heard of anyone's health suffering from following Weigh Down guidelines.

I am convinced that Weigh Down is about to take this country by storm. Soon everyone will know someone who lost and kept off a lot of weight in this program.

89 freedom from diet foods
I can't say enough good things about this approach to a healthier you. I have been there done that, diet wise. My last attempt before WDW was buying a treadmill and walking like a mad woman every morning. I walked for 16 weeks faithfully and didn't lose a single pound. I've always had this problem, my body just doesn't seem to shed the weight. I had finally given up and decided that I had to be satisfied with my size 16 jeans. A friend of mine told me about WD and to appease her I went (just to support her, I had given up). After viewing the first tape I was in tears. She said you don't have to drink 8 glasses of water a day if your body wasn't thirsty, you didn't have to exercise like a nut, didn't have to eat all that tasteless food that fills up your pantry and you never touch. All you had to do was not be greedy. Eat what you want.....but only if you're hungry and stop when you reach full. I went home read the scriptures and decided to try for just one week. To my surprise I lost 4lbs in the first week. I was shocked......my body gave up some fat....praise the Lord. At the end of the 12 week session I was down to a size 11/12 and they were loose. I am now in my second session and I lost 3lbs in my first week. Thank you Lord and thank you Gwen for being such a good messenger.

90 I've read it twice, been to WD workshop...
This is a frightening approach to weight loss. While as a Christian I believe God is personally there for me, I doubt he means for me to totally abdicate common sense to the rumblings of my stomach and cravings. It is dangerous to advocate, as the author does in tapes from her workshop, that what one eats doesn't matter. (She tells the story of a man who ate little in the way of fruits and vegetables and he's fine now, she says. What's fine about such an unbalanced died.) It's dangerous to say it really doesn't matter if one exercises or not. God didn't give millions of nutritionists, doctors and exercise professionals the brains to analyze information just to have one woman tell us we're reading the Bible inaccurately. Skip the diet plan and go straight to Scripture. The answers in there, not in Weight Down, another evangelical approach to personalized religion masking more 'Christian' self-absorption.

91 The only way to go!!
What could make more sense than eating the way God intended usto eat? Our bodies have the perfect indicators, if only we listen andfollow what we hear. Eat when you are hungry, stop when you are satisfied. Eat what your body is calling for. No more counting calories, carbohydrate grams, fat grams, anything. This book makes the most sense of any diet book (I'm sure I've read them all...) and is the simplest to follow.

92 This is a wonderful book.
I love this book. After reading this book I joined the Weigh Down Workshop. I can not think of one bad thing to say about it....and usually I find a diet and I can pick it apart and find a reason not to do it but I have no excuse now...I am now flying above....

93 EXCELLENT
Finally a diet that works! I've dropped 2 dress sizes and have kept it off for over a year!!! I am thinner now then when I worked out five days a week to get fit for my 10 year reunion. This works better than exercise. Now I just exercise for my health. Try it - it works!

94 Worth Re-reading!!!
After reading this book 2 times, I believe that this book is worth re-reading again. Gwen Shamblin tells the truth whether or not it goes against the popular weight loss programs. I have been on this diet now for 3 months, and feel great. I haven't made it to the Promise Land yet, but I have lost 26 lbs. As I turn my will over to God, I will loss all weight. By the way, I'm reading this book for the third time, to get these concepts deep into my head. This book shows us that we need God in every area of life!

95 Factual based program.
The information in this book set me free from being overweight. I went from a size 14 to a size 7 in 4 months. I found the information included to be factually based on the Bible. There is nothing misleading or underhanded. The scripture references are straight from God's word. I was looking for a renewal of my heart and found this book. The weight loss was just an added bonus. I have shared my success story with anyone who asks, and many people do ask. Everyone wants freedom from fat and bondage to whatever has hold of them. Things that take away our joy in life. I am thrilled that at least 30 of my friends have purchased this book and have found their way to freedom and weight loss and some freedom from other things that held them captive. I highly recomend this book. If you are truly seeking change, you will find it. If you are seeking God, you must be prepared to accept Him and His grace. The choice tho, is entirely yours.

96 Misleading information
Scriptures sited in this book are taken completely out of context particularily those dealing with "good" and "bad" foods. Encourages people to eat an unhealthy diet based on those scriptures. I would not recommend this program.

97 Finally! True freedom from a 40 year battle
I was in a diet/eat/hate myself cycle for years. I found this program, and now food is no big deal. I don't even think about it until I am hungry. I eat whatever my body calls for (and it likes a wide variety of foods) and stop when satisfied. This has been a huge change for me. I do not attempt to solve my problems with food, nor do I use it to celebrate. I have finally found true joy and a positive direction for my life. This book and the Weigh Down program were God's tools to change my life. I was a happy person before who was constantly fighting the battle of weight...now I am ecstatic because I have been released from that bondage. You really can have your cake and eat it too, AND stay thin doing it. The program may be hard to grasp at first (it all seems so foreign for a life-long dieter), but the secret is to not give up.

98 CHANGING FROM THE INSIDE OUT
WE HAVE TO BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS. WE HAVE TO CHANGE ON THE INSIDE IN ORDER FOR THE OUTSIDE TO FOLLOW SUIT. THIS IS WHAT THIS BOOK IS TALKING ABOUT. I'VE JUST READ THE BOOK BUT HAVEN'T WENT THROUGH A WORKSHOP YET. IT'S TALKING ABOUT BEING FREE, FREE TO CHOOSE WHAT WE EAT. EVERYTHING IS ALLOWABLE FOR US TO EAT BUT NOT ALL THINGS ARE GOOD CHOICES. BUT WE SHOULDN'T FEEL GUILTY IF WE EAT SOMETHING GOOEY AND RICH INSTEAD OF VEGGIES. IF YOU THINK IT'S WRONG TO EAT JUNK FOOD, THEN YOU SHOULDN'T. BUT THIS BOOK IS ABOUT BEING FREE; FREE FROM WHAT YOU AND OTHERS SAYS YOU SHOULD EAT AND EVEN HOW MUCH YOU SHOULD EAT. IT'S BETWEEN YOU AND GOD AS TO WHAT IS RIGHT. THIS BOOK WILL PUT YOU ON THE PATH TO FREEDOM, NOT TO OVERINDULGE BUT TO CHOOSE WITH THE GOD-GIVEN ABILITY YOU ALREADY POSSESS. IF YOU HAVE WANT TO CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE OUT, THIS BOOK WILL GET YOU STARTED.

99 The most excellent weight loss program ever! I've LOST WEIGH
This program is the only thing that has ever worked for me! Gwen's annointed and an inspiration...I love this program! It has set me free from being overweight!

100 Excellent idea, concerned about parts of message
This book is a definite breakthrough in "dieting". My only problem is the religious language being possibly too fundamental. There is mention of homosexuality being an "indulgence" so to speak. I do have a problem with that being grouped into the "sin" category, based on the more recent readings and correct interpretations of biblical writings. Center on the deadly sin of gluttony and leave the sexual orientation out, and I think you will appeal to many more Christians.