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The Weigh Down Diet
You can now join the thousands who have discovered a liberating new weight control plan and are turning to God to take away the desire to overeat. The Weigh Down Workshop, a remarkable program which already has thousands of support groups across the country and has gained national attention in media from "A Current Affair" to Woman's Day , is now available as a book. What makes this ground-breaking approach to weight loss so unique is that participants can eat any kind of food-including fats and sweets--and be able to stop in the middle of a candy bar when their stomachs are full.
People who have known no end to fullness and who have no control over their late-night binges have learned through the Weigh Down Method that God can remove the seemingly irresistible pull of the pantry and drive-thru restaurants. With this approach, participants can reduce the volume of food they want to one-third of what it used to be and yet still eat with fulfilled satisfaction. Yet this is not a diet like others you've seen. Dieting only increases chewing whereas with the Weigh Down approach, you will chew less food, but more importantly, with God's help-want less food. Quite simply, this approach equals weight loss. Weigh Down gives back hope; hope to dieters who will learn that they are not a failure. Stop torturing yourself. God did not put chocolate or lasagna on earth to torture us--but rather for our enjoyment! Hallelujah!
People who have known no end to fullness and who have no control over their late-night binges have learned through the Weigh Down Method that God can remove the seemingly irresistible pull of the pantry and drive-thru restaurants. With this approach, participants can reduce the volume of food they want to one-third of what it used to be and yet still eat with fulfilled satisfaction. Yet this is not a diet like others you've seen. Dieting only increases chewing whereas with the Weigh Down approach, you will chew less food, but more importantly, with God's help-want less food. Quite simply, this approach equals weight loss. Weigh Down gives back hope; hope to dieters who will learn that they are not a failure. Stop torturing yourself. God did not put chocolate or lasagna on earth to torture us--but rather for our enjoyment! Hallelujah!
336 pages, Hardcover
First published February 17, 1997
142 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 11, 2008
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This book introduced me to the "Hunger-Fullness" method for weight loss, so I'll always be grateful for that... it's the only thing / program that's ever worked for me!
But, the theology in this book is "off". Gwen was okay here, but seems to have "gone off the deep-end" after writing this one. I don't recommend you read this book unless you're willing to pray your way through it, asking God for discernment so you won't be mislead.
Also see: http://tinyurl.com/an37n
This book introduced me to the "Hunger-Fullness" method for weight loss, so I'll always be grateful for that... it's the only thing / program that's ever worked for me!
But, the theology in this book is "off". Gwen was okay here, but seems to have "gone off the deep-end" after writing this one. I don't recommend you read this book unless you're willing to pray your way through it, asking God for discernment so you won't be mislead.
Also see: http://tinyurl.com/an37n
October 27, 2021
I read this as part of a project I’m working on on eating disorders and faith. If you don’t have to read it, don’t.
December 29, 2011
Reread December, 2011.
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I just reread this for zillionth time.
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First off I want to say that I am not a big one on self-help books. I'm more of a prayer and scriptures type of person for solving my problems. However, this is one of those books that I do refer too.
This book has made some lasting changes in my life. I was introduced to this book six and a half years ago and I immediately lost 40 pounds and I've never once gained it back. Mind you I had had that 40 pounds of weight on me ever since high school, and I never thought I would loose it. This totally changed how I think about food and life.
This book was also really important in the lives of several of my friends. The friends that were unable to "do this" I think had much deeper issues than I ever thought about having and they had A LOT more weight to loose.
The doctrine in this is off. I just took the basic concepts and biblical stories and studied them from the King James Bible and sought by own discernment. The concepts are for the most part correct as far as I'm concerned.
This book has to be a 5 for me because it literally changed my life. Read at your own risk! : )
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I just reread this for zillionth time.
*************
First off I want to say that I am not a big one on self-help books. I'm more of a prayer and scriptures type of person for solving my problems. However, this is one of those books that I do refer too.
This book has made some lasting changes in my life. I was introduced to this book six and a half years ago and I immediately lost 40 pounds and I've never once gained it back. Mind you I had had that 40 pounds of weight on me ever since high school, and I never thought I would loose it. This totally changed how I think about food and life.
This book was also really important in the lives of several of my friends. The friends that were unable to "do this" I think had much deeper issues than I ever thought about having and they had A LOT more weight to loose.
The doctrine in this is off. I just took the basic concepts and biblical stories and studied them from the King James Bible and sought by own discernment. The concepts are for the most part correct as far as I'm concerned.
This book has to be a 5 for me because it literally changed my life. Read at your own risk! : )
January 21, 2012
Pretty much.. losing weight is easy as long as you obey God, which is your kinda full feeling and not indulge in the Devil.. which is having some more. If you over eat.. you are eccentually Sinning because you are not stopping when God is telling you to stop. So, that pretty much means.. to me.. that this book is telling you that if you are fat, you are a sinner.. and I am sorry, but that is a bunch of bullshit. I am sure that others have not taken this book as I have, but hey, I was bored at work and it was sitting on the top shelf covered in dust... that should have been my first clue..
October 31, 2011
1. I remember my mom talking about this when I was in high school. I thought that the idea of eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full made sense. But we joked about how that's next to impossible to accomplish. I don't know if she attended a workshop or not, but I do think that it is possible, when seeing it as an obedience to God issue.
2. After college a friend had told me that Ms. Shamblin was a heretic (don't remember if he used quite so harsh a word, but it's possible) something about her belief in the Trinity. It scared me away from the book for a while, but I recently decided that I wanted to read the book for myself. I cannot say whether my friend is correct or not. I think her view on food idolatry is correct. I think she is somewhat immature in how she uses some scripture, but I don't think it would lead a Christian astray, one just needs to approach the book being mindful of how she does use certain scriptures.
3. While I agree that if you are eating only when physically hungry and stopping when satisfied, you'll be eating so little that there's not as much sense in worrying about whether or not what you're eating has preservatives, I do think that we should still be mindful of what we put in our bodies. Don't be slaves to the health food industry, but if you crave a cookie, but instead choose grapes, I think overall, that's wise.
4. Same with exercise. She pushes that it's not important to exercise and that people do it out of a desire to stay thin and it becomes another idol. While that may be true, I do think that having a reasonable exercise routine is good for the overall health of your body.
If you struggle with food idolatry, I would recommend this book along with Made to Crave and Reshaping It All. (I think Reshaping It All has the most balanced approach to food and exercise and Made to Crave is the best Biblical approach to thinking about this issue.) God has definitely brought me through a spiritual awakening through these books.
2. After college a friend had told me that Ms. Shamblin was a heretic (don't remember if he used quite so harsh a word, but it's possible) something about her belief in the Trinity. It scared me away from the book for a while, but I recently decided that I wanted to read the book for myself. I cannot say whether my friend is correct or not. I think her view on food idolatry is correct. I think she is somewhat immature in how she uses some scripture, but I don't think it would lead a Christian astray, one just needs to approach the book being mindful of how she does use certain scriptures.
3. While I agree that if you are eating only when physically hungry and stopping when satisfied, you'll be eating so little that there's not as much sense in worrying about whether or not what you're eating has preservatives, I do think that we should still be mindful of what we put in our bodies. Don't be slaves to the health food industry, but if you crave a cookie, but instead choose grapes, I think overall, that's wise.
4. Same with exercise. She pushes that it's not important to exercise and that people do it out of a desire to stay thin and it becomes another idol. While that may be true, I do think that having a reasonable exercise routine is good for the overall health of your body.
If you struggle with food idolatry, I would recommend this book along with Made to Crave and Reshaping It All. (I think Reshaping It All has the most balanced approach to food and exercise and Made to Crave is the best Biblical approach to thinking about this issue.) God has definitely brought me through a spiritual awakening through these books.
October 7, 2022
WARNING! False doctrine!
This woman is preaching (and that alone is a bad omen!) the good news of anorexia. More alarming however is how she insists eating less is obedience to God. Her false doctrine is deadly. She intentionally takes Matthew 19:29 out of context, but adds in eating, as in, you must leave behind eating to prove you love God.
Worse than this, however, is how she recommends refusing an overweight child food. Instead, she says to wrap it up, put it away, and distract them… and then later, show the child the food they weren’t permitted to have! Here’s a much better idea! Provide all your children with food! A teenager may eat as much as their (same sex) parent, so that a 14, 15 year old boy will need as much as his father. Even a one year old baby needs 1,000-1,200 calories each day! Perhaps if your child really is overweight, you might better give them green salads and vegetables and fruit more often, and leave the potato chips and candy for odd treats, like cake for birthdays, or chips for a cook-out, but don’t taunt them with food you won’t let them eat! How mean can you be?!
This woman has rightly been ostracized from Christianity for good reason. She is a Jezebel. Don’t buy this book!
This woman is preaching (and that alone is a bad omen!) the good news of anorexia. More alarming however is how she insists eating less is obedience to God. Her false doctrine is deadly. She intentionally takes Matthew 19:29 out of context, but adds in eating, as in, you must leave behind eating to prove you love God.
Worse than this, however, is how she recommends refusing an overweight child food. Instead, she says to wrap it up, put it away, and distract them… and then later, show the child the food they weren’t permitted to have! Here’s a much better idea! Provide all your children with food! A teenager may eat as much as their (same sex) parent, so that a 14, 15 year old boy will need as much as his father. Even a one year old baby needs 1,000-1,200 calories each day! Perhaps if your child really is overweight, you might better give them green salads and vegetables and fruit more often, and leave the potato chips and candy for odd treats, like cake for birthdays, or chips for a cook-out, but don’t taunt them with food you won’t let them eat! How mean can you be?!
This woman has rightly been ostracized from Christianity for good reason. She is a Jezebel. Don’t buy this book!
October 12, 2013
I read this book and WOW does it work! I'm 21 and had recently put on the "freshman 15" in college. My parents found this book and suggested me to try this program. Not only have I lost the weight but I found a relationship with God to get me away from the greed!
Such an easy concept too, I'm a health major and restoring the body back to its normal homeostasis makes so much more sense than the harsh treatments of the body.
I've tries A LOT of other stuff. This is the only thing that has worked for me. The key to permanent weight loss!!
Such an easy concept too, I'm a health major and restoring the body back to its normal homeostasis makes so much more sense than the harsh treatments of the body.
I've tries A LOT of other stuff. This is the only thing that has worked for me. The key to permanent weight loss!!
July 25, 2011
Even if you think Gwen Shamblin is a nut job, she has a point about food: our bodies tell us when we require food and when we don't. Overweight people have lost the ability to tune in to those signals. I did a Weigh Down Workshop years ago and it worked. This backslider needs to gets rededicated.
January 30, 2009
Technically, I shouldn't review it as I haven't actually finished the book. However, 50 lbs lighter, I have to say that I really liked what I read and was able to easily incorporate the ideas into my life!
EDIT: Yeah, I pretty much missed a lot of the idea for this program. Physically it is all about reducing portion sizes and listening for body hunger. A lot of us deal with comfort eating for reward, love, etc. This program reminds us that God loves us and will always provide exactly enough for us, even nutritionally. Then we get past the superficial layer into the deeper ideas. Where choosing to not overeat is giving our will or the natural man over to God's will. It really got me thinking. I have enjoyed the introspection brought on by this book. I don't always agree exactly with the doctrine, but the essence of it is true for me. I am striving for a closer relationship with God and giving my will up to do his will. I believe this will help me keep the weight off and not worry about "losing control" and having it come back. Eventually I will no longer have the desire to eat more than I need. Hooray!
EDIT: Yeah, I pretty much missed a lot of the idea for this program. Physically it is all about reducing portion sizes and listening for body hunger. A lot of us deal with comfort eating for reward, love, etc. This program reminds us that God loves us and will always provide exactly enough for us, even nutritionally. Then we get past the superficial layer into the deeper ideas. Where choosing to not overeat is giving our will or the natural man over to God's will. It really got me thinking. I have enjoyed the introspection brought on by this book. I don't always agree exactly with the doctrine, but the essence of it is true for me. I am striving for a closer relationship with God and giving my will up to do his will. I believe this will help me keep the weight off and not worry about "losing control" and having it come back. Eventually I will no longer have the desire to eat more than I need. Hooray!
November 20, 2008
There is one tidbit that I took away from this book that has stuck with me for years. When you are faced with those big servings at restaurants, eat the tastiest-looking bits of food first. Then you won't feel tempted to keep eating when you get full because all that will be left on your plate are the less appealing bits. That is all I really got out of this book.
March 26, 2024
I LOVE this book! I first read it in 1998 and have read it many times since. After being overweight and feeling like a failure from all my past dieting experiences, I finally was set free! I have lost 70 pounds and kept it off since 1998! My whole life as been positively changed!
February 3, 2014
Throw out all man-made food rules and transfer a passion for food or any earthly desire that gets in the way, to a passion for God. Pretty simple, but profound.
April 25, 2010
Gwen Shamblin's diet plan is pretty simple: Eat only when you're physiologically hungry and stop when you reach a "polite" full feeling (whatever that is??). She believes that overeating is a sin of "sensual indulgence" (gluttony) and a form of idolatry that can only be overcome by transferring your love and obedience from food to God. Unfortunately, she needed 300+ pages and several million exclamation points to convey those ideas. I found the book numbingly repetitive.
I guess I agree with the basics, but I had a really hard time with some of her ideas about nutrition. (God made your body to filter out harmful chemicals, therefore you don't have to worry about what you put into your mouth. I disagree. He made a perfect body, but I'm responsible for taking care of it by choosing healthy foods.) I also found some of her scriptural examples to be ... fuzzy? Anyhow, I did take a few good points away from my reading, but I probably wouldn't recommend the book to anyone.
I guess I agree with the basics, but I had a really hard time with some of her ideas about nutrition. (God made your body to filter out harmful chemicals, therefore you don't have to worry about what you put into your mouth. I disagree. He made a perfect body, but I'm responsible for taking care of it by choosing healthy foods.) I also found some of her scriptural examples to be ... fuzzy? Anyhow, I did take a few good points away from my reading, but I probably wouldn't recommend the book to anyone.
October 5, 2021
Bought book and before it arrived I decided to do a little research on the author. She is all about praying so that’s what’re I done. While praying all I could think is COCAIN, COCAIN, COCAIN. So I took that as god telling me to do a little bump and try the magnificent plant god out here for all of us to enjoy. I was skeptical and prayed again an hour later with same result. So I Went out and bought an a ounce and I really started to hear god clearly! By the time the book arrived I had already lost 23 pounds!! Still haven’t read it but it’s all about prayers and god actually talking back! and just a little or big bump here and there.
March 25, 2008
The premise behind this book seems sound: turn to the Lord to help you eat only when you're hungry. "Head Hunger" and eating when you're not hungry lead to being overweight.
Note: Ms. Shamblin speaks about depression a lot in this book, but doesn't really know much about it. She also repeated herself a lot in the book, and I found myself skimming for morsels of wisdom instead of reading the entire book.
Note: Ms. Shamblin speaks about depression a lot in this book, but doesn't really know much about it. She also repeated herself a lot in the book, and I found myself skimming for morsels of wisdom instead of reading the entire book.
May 13, 2009
The Weigh Down Diet by Gwen Shamblin (copyright 1997) packs a pretty powerful punch. Although, Ms. Shamblin has a master's degree in nutrition and is a certified dietician I do not know that I fully agree with her discouraging the taking of vitamins. I personally do not believe that most human beings get their daily allowance of nutrition from just eating whatever food that is craved in a twenty-four hour period.
At the same time, I am very agreeable to Ms. Shamblin's approach to weight-loss in cutting back on food portions while addressing both mental and spiritual needs to solve the overeating dilemma.
Now then, all that's left is for me to put those three in motion all at the same time and perhaps I too, will have my "before and after" picture taken along with my very own success story! (And of course, pop my favorite vitamins!)
At the same time, I am very agreeable to Ms. Shamblin's approach to weight-loss in cutting back on food portions while addressing both mental and spiritual needs to solve the overeating dilemma.
Now then, all that's left is for me to put those three in motion all at the same time and perhaps I too, will have my "before and after" picture taken along with my very own success story! (And of course, pop my favorite vitamins!)
September 21, 2009
I read this book with some trepidation--my memory of the Weigh Down seminar (12 or 13 years ago?) was not terribly complimentary. Scripture taken out of context and all. So, I was pleasantly surprised by the book (and when you read the book, you aren't subjected to Shamblin's Southern accent). 4 Stars because I think most Americans need to be reminded that gluttony is still gluttony--even if we put a different label on it. Shamblin reminds readers over and over that our dependence on food, overwhelming focus on it, overuse of it, and other food-related issues are often sinful at their core. Does it work? Well, I've lost 7 pounds this summer and counting.... :)
June 26, 2012
I use a combination of this program and Intuitive Eating. Using these two methods. I've lost 30 pounds in 2 years. It's a slow process, yet very sustainable for me (and healthy).
I don't agree with everything she says. And I can't get behind her complete spiritual approach (although I do believe God can help you come to peace with food), but the basic ideas of eating just when you're hungry seem intuitive, but were actually eye-opening for me. .
I don't agree with everything she says. And I can't get behind her complete spiritual approach (although I do believe God can help you come to peace with food), but the basic ideas of eating just when you're hungry seem intuitive, but were actually eye-opening for me. .
July 26, 2009
Lifechanger..read it probably 10 times...listen to all the tapes too!
January 23, 2012
Life changing if you let it be, not just for weight loss but for everything you give your heart and mind to for comfort that is not God.
August 24, 2022
Basically, if you lose weight, that mean God loves you. If you don’t, you’re a sinner destined for hell 😹
December 8, 2022
I've yo-yo'd this practice for about 24 years since I read the book the first time. Any of my struggles have been of my making and not practicing what she teaches. When I have followed her program, as I'm doing now, I'm not deprived of anything and feel so much better.
If you Google her or watch the HBO special on her, you’ll see some crazy things about her. Some may be true and some may not. No doubt the hair is weird and her denial of the Trinity is unorthodox. However, none of that negates her teaching in this book. You’ll find people saying she says don’t exercise, thinks God only loves thin people, she wants you to starve yourself, etc. None of those are true. I've found those making those claims are taking her statements out of context.
If you Google her or watch the HBO special on her, you’ll see some crazy things about her. Some may be true and some may not. No doubt the hair is weird and her denial of the Trinity is unorthodox. However, none of that negates her teaching in this book. You’ll find people saying she says don’t exercise, thinks God only loves thin people, she wants you to starve yourself, etc. None of those are true. I've found those making those claims are taking her statements out of context.
July 22, 2017
To me, this book is life changing. The simple formula of eating when hungry, stopping when full, and figuring out when those two things are happening. I love the reminders of God's goodness. The food will be there. Tomorrow. The next time I go to that restaurant. The next time I am hungry and am wishing for sweets. I don't have to have it all now. Later, it will be a gift as well.
I don't agree with all of Gwen's theology. But I know Jesus died for me. I know he loves me. I know obedience brings life. I can work with that.
I don't agree with all of Gwen's theology. But I know Jesus died for me. I know he loves me. I know obedience brings life. I can work with that.
July 13, 2019
Part 1 is absolutely fantastic!!! It brought A LOT of clarity and freedom for me on some specific food issues. Part 2 I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. It’s filled with theological errors and false teachings. Maybe cut that part out of your book. Either way, definitely read with discernment!
July 6, 2021
So I lost 15 lbs in a month! The weight loss info is spot on; however, the second half of this book is way off topic and has little to do with weight loss. I will continue to apply the useful info in my future weight loss journey.
September 3, 2021
God,s design
I believe God made our bodies to get hungry when we need food and not for any other reason. I think eating this way is less restrictive and pleases God. I hope to replace food desire with desire for God,s word. I don't want to be a slave to food or the scales.
I believe God made our bodies to get hungry when we need food and not for any other reason. I think eating this way is less restrictive and pleases God. I hope to replace food desire with desire for God,s word. I don't want to be a slave to food or the scales.
February 5, 2023
I saw the author on a talk show telling how this method helped her lose weight. I read the book & yes I did pray. It seemed like I got MORE HUNGRY & gained weight. Go figure that one out! She seemed like an honest person though.
November 30, 2019
I read this book several years ago and followed her instructions. I lost 17 pounds, but most of them have found me again. I need to re-read this book!
December 31, 2023
List 76 lbs with this approach...I ate past full a lot.
April 21, 2025
She’s got extreme thoughts but I loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews