The Weigh Down Diet (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Welcome. You are about to embark on a unique program of weight reduction called the Weigh Down Diet..." (more)
Key Phrases: true stomach hunger, head hunger, food behave, Weigh Down Workshopt, Weigh Downt, Promised Land (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"We have been trying to feed our hurting, longing hearts with physical food," writes Gwen Shamblin, registered dietician and founder of the Weigh Down program, which emphasizes "God's power--not 'will power.'" This book offers instruction on how to eat only when physically hungry, how to "nourish the soul with a relationship with God," and how not to confuse different hunger urges. The diet plan teaches you not to overeat by letting you eat exactly what you want, but much less of it.

The key is to understand hunger, recognize fullness, and sense what your body is really calling for. You learn to "rate" food by its appeal, and eat your favorite foods first, stopping when you're getting full (not waiting until you're stuffed). This is not a nutritional guide; in fact, Shamblin's own sample menu is high in fat, cholesterol, sugar, and salt. The Weigh Down Diet is, however, a guide to using your religious beliefs to help you stop overeating and see food in a new light. This book inspires you with scriptural passages, discussions of "God's rules" about eating, and assurances that God's love will help you win your battle with weight.

From Library Journal

Tried every diet fad imaginable without success? Then try God. That's the advice of dietitian Shamblin, who claims that if we shift our focus from food to something more ethereal, the pounds will just melt away.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion; 1st edition (February 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385487622
• ISBN-13: 978-0385487627
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (213 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #89,577 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking book!, May 20, 2000

By	Lee Mellott "www.SkinCareForWrinkles.com (my ... (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 60 pounds and counting., January 26, 1999

By A Customer

From looking at these reviews, there is no middle ground--people either love this book or they hate it!

I look around me every day and see people who preach low-fat diets, fitness fads, miracle foods, and super supplements. At one time I bought into many of those things, but none took the weight off permanently. They did not deal with the problem--my overeating. People are looking for easy answers, quick results, and bottled solutions to their problems; it is as if they view their problems as external to themselves, rather than in their own hearts. The basic message of this book, I feel, is this: In the grand heirarchy of creation, God ranks above you, and you rank above food and just about everything else. Never serve that which is lesser than yourself, even if it's 100% whole wheat.

I've lost 60 pounds in the last nine months, with another 40 pounds to go. My life no longer revolves around food, dieting and/or exercise. (Even though I was and still am overweight, I spent a lot of time, money, and energy trying to lose weight.) I recommend this book to anyone who has tried everything else. This is not a diet. This is an attitude adjustment. Serve the Lord instead of your dinner plate and the pounds will vanish!

59 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great insights, but not the last word., April 3, 2002

By	Joan "joan2742" (Edgewater, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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*.