Customer Reviews

Rise Above: God Can Set You Free from Your Weight Problems Forever

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Gwen Shamblin's newest book is even better than the expectations for her 2nd Book. It is a refreshing look at the principles from her first book and then some. It is hard hitting and unapologetic for blowing away some of the current diet fads in today's world.

Because Gwen through her newest book proclaims that Weigh Down is NOT a diet but a whole new way of losing weight and keeping it permanently off without the drudgery of any kind of dieting.

Rise Above picks up where the basic message of Weight Down in her first book left off. As Gwen says in her 2nd book: "Strugglers need more motivation and heartchanging information to help them climb out of this miry pit. We all need someone and something to live for that is bigger than ourselves. We need Jesus Christ. No worldly pursuit--food, alcohol, tobacco, antidepresants, money, the praise of man, sexual lust, or whatever--will satisfy the longing heart. It is not the fault of the food, the alcohol, the money, or the tobacco. It is the effort to use them to fulfill a need that only God can satisfy that is the problem.

For anyone who has been in Weigh Down things will be familiar and yet new in this 2nd book. Familiar statements like America Has a Crush on Food; the Exodus Symbolism; the Struggler, Backstroking the Red Sea will be known by any Weigh Down participant but Gwen goes yet a step farther to explain these things. Any Weigh Down participant will find this book a refreshing additional to things already learned.

For anyone not familiar with Weigh Down, the adventure and new learning will be worth the investment of time and money. Old ideas about dieting will be blown away and new concepts of eating the way God designed will be a welcomed treat!

I personally know that the principles of Weigh Down work. Since 1998 I have lost 113 lbs on my Weigh Down journey. In fact, part of my testimony and before and after pictures are found on page 77 of Rise Above. For me, reading Rise Above has renewed and reinvigorated my quest to the Promised Land!

Having read Gwen's first book, I was eager to see what she had to say as a follow up. This book goes deeper than the first, giving the reader an even better sense of what it takes to be devoted to God. I think it is probably better to read the Weigh Down Diet first, but even if you have not, she includes a synopsis in the appendix, which should be read first. This book is changing my life, and I use it as a reference, as I do her first book. Rise Above is a wonderful book, and worth reading more than once. If you are close to the Father, it will bring you closer, if you are struggling to become close, it will give you the guidance you need. Read this book; you will be blessed.

First, I want to say that Gwen and Weigh Down Workshop have changed my life! I'd given up on losing weight, but I've lost 37 pounds eating foods like chocolate chip cookie dough and Haagen Daas ice cream.

I found the book very interesting and inspirational, but it won't be new material for anybody who's gone through the workshop. Much of it is taken verbatim from the video tapes. That doesn't mean it's not meaningful and helpful, but if you're looking for a fresh approach, you may not find it here. An exception is the interesting chapter "Cloud and Fire," which tells the story of life in the desert after the Exodus and relates it to the personal struggles we face as we work to give up our strongholds.

Even so, this book was well worth the money and I thank God for Gwen Shamblin every day! My husband and I have probably added years of life (and quality) to our lives because of her.

This is a wonderful book for anyone wanting to be rid of the sin overeating. Gwen shows the path to God and how giving your heart over to Jesus, how he will melt the fat, when you are obedient to the Lord. The book is filled with bible verses and truth of what God has for us. Learn about His great Love for us and be on your way to a new you inside and out. This is a must for anyone hurting from being overweight! If you have tried everything else, why not give this book a try and let God take care of the rest.

This book is a continuation and also a repeat of The Weigh Down Diet. Those who have gone through the Weigh Down program at a local church will not find much new here. However, either this book or The Weigh Down Diet is a great place to start if you aren't familiar with Gwen's message or approach.

As for the program and her books altoghether, I think Gwen does a fantastic job of helping people to stop obsessing about food and weight, and focus on God instead. I personally took my first Weigh Down class four years ago, lost 28 pounds within a year, and have kept them off. For that, I cannot thank Gwen enough. As for the way she interprets the Bible and understands God, I do not agree with everything that she says. I ignore what I don't agree with (yes, that's right, I ignore it) because I agree with her basic message which is "Focus on God, not the food!"

As for Gwen's nutritional advice (eat whatever your body tells you it wants), I agree...to a point. I did lose 28 pounds and have kept them off, but I believe that there is a lot of sound nutritional advice to be had if you research and find out what you need. For example, I have had sever acne and exzema for about 15 years. After trying even the most powerful prescription medicines, I found that the only thing that could cure these symptoms was to supplement my diet with essential fatty acids (EFAs). (See the book "Smart Fats" for more on EFAs.) The standard American diet is very poor in EFAs, so following Gwen's advice to not supplement my diet, I would probably still have acne and exzema to this day.

If you're overweight and obsessing about food, read this book, or read "The Weigh Down Diet", or ... contact their headquarters to find a class in your area.

I purchased this book believing that it would be different from what I had already read and heard from Weigh Down Workshop. The book was good, for someone who has never been through the program. However, if you are a Weigh Downer looking for a fresh or boosting perspective, this may not be what you are searching for because the writing seems to be taken word-for-word from the seminar videos. (I know, I've seen them three times)

Don't get me wrong. The message is still great! This is the BEST way to lose weight and keep it off.

Thank you Gwen for following where God leads. I have read this book twice, and lent it to others. It explains how to get to the root of the problem. Helped to get me motivated to stay on my journey to the promise land. This is not a gt it quick, diet. Gwen shows us that it is not worldly diets or the fads that are the problem, it is our hearts and minds. It is what we worship, (the food), that is the problem. This is truly a gift from God, for us to use to get out of the slavery of over eating.

This book is very well written. I purchased it as soon as it hit the shelf and have not been able to put it down! It's so meaningful to the Christian in their walk with God.

"Rise Above" takes the spiritual information from Gwen's first book "The Weigh Down Diet" to a deeper level. The book touches on the "Weigh Down Diet" method of eating in the appendix and with an occasional reference in the book. If you are interested in learning about the eating program, "The Weigh Down Diet" book will have more information on the plan. This book covers the growth of the Weigh Down program, the stories of people who have lost weight with Weigh Down, and includes lessons to help you enrich your faith and focus on spirit not food. I liked reading alot of the information that Gwen shares but one aspect of this book bothers me. According to Gwen "God is so good-looking, so athletic, so powerful and so charming that upon first sight, we would all immediately bow down and adore Him." I think it is a shame that Gwen places this value on looks. And why would we value God because of the way he looks or his athletic ability? Can't we get past lookism and focus on pure loving spirit? Though I appreciate the closeness Gwen feels with the Spirit I often felt uncomfortable (as I did when I read the Weigh Down Diet book) with the way she attributes negative qualities to God, like jealousy etc. Though I feel God is with you always even when shopping as Gwen says, she writes of him as if he were her boyfriend. Other aspects of the book were very rewarding. Reading the stories of those who were successful in their efforts to lose weight is inspiring. The spiritual lessons Gwen shares were thought provoking. Gwen makes a strong case for being able to walk away from drugs, food or other bad habits by focusing on God. Her book is convincing and compelling. It is a wonderful read if you go beyond the "God is so good looking" text and find the true soul in her words.

What an awesome book! This book gets deeper into the "heart" and helps you find the one true God. I have read many reviews and I agree with most. There are, however, a few that totally miss the mark. It does not matter what you eat, high fat, high calorie, etc. as long as it is done in moderation. I know from personal experience that it works. I have lost over 60 lbs. and my wife has lost 130 lbs. and has been through two pregnancies, each time losing back down to her pre-pregnancy weight within a couple of months of giving birth. She and I have both kept the weight off for over 2 years. We are constantly eating what the world would call "junk food." God knows exactly what your body needs. We no longer count calories or fat grams or anything else for that matter. We have tried everything and nothing works like God works!

This book is not for the timid. If you truly want to improve your relationship with God and lose weight in the process, buy the book!

If you want to see results, look at page 120 for the before and after pictures of me and my wife. This book will change your life if you let it!