Rating: 
Summary: The truth
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Exodus from Legalized Rules
Review: 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.)
Rating:
Summary: Opposite World
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: eureka!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Weigh down...way off
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The bad outweighs the good both spiritually and physically
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Great insights, but not the last word.
Review: 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*.
Rating:
Summary: Good-but use common sense
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The exception to prove the rule
Review: There IS, after all, a diet that works. The Weigh Down Diet cannot be done halfway, but who would want to? This diet helped rid me of my disordered eating, and replaced it with living my life and enjoying my favorite foods. And to top it all off, my once intellectual relationship with God has become a personal, covenant relationship. Because of this book, I'm even relating to my husband and children better! This is worth a hundred times its price, or more. It will change your life. It changed mine.
Rating:
Summary: It does work!
Review: 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!
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