Rating: 
Summary: All I know is, it works!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Bravo!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Look deeper into the author's views.. She started a cult!
Review: 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...
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING, WONDERFUL, INSIGHTFUL, AND HELPFUL!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: This works!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Good faith, bad science
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: The principles are valid, the theology is not.
Review: I would recommend "Thin Within" instead. It is more grace-based than Mrs. Shamblin's book, though the principles are similar.
Rating:
Summary: God alone is GOOD
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: I did research also.....
Review: 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!
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Summary: One Word...RESEARCH Gwen & Her Church
Review: 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!
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