Hello! I'm new to this site... very fun! I'm a life long dieter with about 100 lbs to lose. I have tried them all! really... all of them!

For Christmas my husband bought me a book called, "Rise Above" by Gwen Shamblin. This is a God/Christ centered weight loss "program." I have been amazed at what she teaches.... very liberating stuff here.

Do any of you know about this? Have you tried it? What did you think?

Darcy

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"When the Son of Man sets you free, you will be free indeed!" - (John 8:36)

Hi Darcy,
I'm new here too!
Yes, I did Weigh Down Workshop 2 years ago after the birth of my son. It was held at my church once a week. It teaches you to cut your food portions in half or a little more, and eat only when you are experiencing true hunger. (allowing the tummy to growl.) You can still eat normal foods....just less portions. I lost 20 pounds in that 3 1/2 month class. It does work by speaking to your heart, and gives you an awareness of real hunger...not head hunger.
I do recommend it!
Best Wishes,
Sarah

I am joining a Weigh-Down Workshop in a couple weeks. I have read both of the books. I hope I will be able to succeed on the program.

I have only recently begun attending church on a regular basis. I know I have so much to learn about the Bible, and I am working hard to achieve that goal.

I only hope that I am able to do this program with God's guidance, even though I have not known him as long and as well as others. I sometimes feel undeserving since I have neglected the church for so long. It isn't that I didn't believe, I just never went!

Nice to hear from the two of you. I'm really excited about this....

I was a member of Weigh Down a few years ago, but I was also on Phen Fen at the time and I was NOT ready to give that up. Phen Fen worked great, but - of course, I have gained back all the weight I lost - not to mention the health risks.

As I said, I was not ready to give up my food or my love of food at that time. NOW.. things have changed in my heart! I finally trust that God will do this for me and that He will provide for me. I don't have to binge or sneak.... seek comfort from the food (food has NEVER loved me back... why did I ever think I could get comfort there?) God is my comfort.... God will not let me starve. Such an easy concept and yet the hardest to believe and trust.

I would encourage anyone to try the Weigh Down plan (www.wdworkshop.com). What do you have to lose - except the pain of being addicted to eating?

(You don't even have to believe in God/Jesus before you begin to have this work....try it!)

Darcy

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"When the Son of Man sets you free, you will be free indeed!" - (John 8:36)

Tammy,

You know where this lie is coming from, don't you? None of us are "deserving," however, God, in his amazing love wants us with him no matter what we have done in our lives. I know, easy to say and difficult to believe sometimes, but there you go - God is a mystery. I have also been away for quite some time, shoving God in the corner. He WANTS us back - He fights for our loves... amazing, eh?

Remember, we can do all things through God who strengthens us. I finally believe this and I know where my strength comes from. (weee haaaa!)

Have fun in the class - I wish I had one near me, but my husband and I are living in Sweden currently (I'm from Oregon and he is from England.) I'll say a prayer for you.

Darcy


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"When the Son of Man sets you free, you will be free indeed!" - (John 8:36)

Hi! I am so excited! The Weigh-Down Workshop I am joining starts on Tuesday (Jan. 23). I can hardly wait to get started!!! I had an e-mail from the co-ordinator of our group, and she is so positive about the program. I'm hoping that I'll know someone in the class. I get nervous with bunches of strangers. Silly?

Tammy,

I'm so jealous!!!! I can't seem to find a meeting in english here.

You are going to do great! All that support and your leader sounds great to have already contacted you.

Keep me posted on how it goes... it will be an encouragement for me too!

Darcy

Tonight was my first meeting. I think I'm in over my head! Everyone was very nice. There are 15 in the group. Everyone knows so much about the Bible and God. I really feel stupid! I know I'm learning, but I was a little uncomfortable during some of the discussion after the video. I'll be fine though. I already knew 3 ladies in the group, so that helped.

From now on, our meetings are on Monday nights. I didn't get home until almost 10:00, meeting started at 7:00. I may have to leave earlier than others because I usually try to be in bed by 10 if I can. Old age!

Hang in there... you'll get it.

I am ordering the At Home Videos and tapes. I should get them in 4 - 6 weeks... can't wait!!!!

Do you get the e-mails from the www.wdworkshop.com site? They are really helpful and goes from week to week giving you homework from Gwen.

Hey... If you want keep me posted on your weight loss and I'll do the same to you. We could be "desert buddies!"

Darcy

Darcy, yes I do get the e-mails from Gwen. They really give you alot to think about don't they!

I will not give up. I would love to stay in contact with each other about the workshop. I'm excited that you will be doing the at home program. Our school secretary may do it. With her hectic schedule, she can't attend meetings. Her kids are involved in so many activities.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you!
Tammy

Tammy - hey there! I just wanted to encourage you...don't feel like you are in over your head. You are right where God wants you! As you see more videos, and start going through your workbook, you'll find that the scripture discussed is pretty clear! Plus, you can see by your class, that just "knowing" more about the Bible doesn't necessarily make you follow it any better!! You are all in that class for the same reason, to learn to trust in His strength in this area.

Tammy - I know it's harder to do this on your own than with a class. Something about the accountability. That's where this board can come in handy! I have also been through the classes, but got away from the principles and regained. This time, I am making it a lifechange...one of obedience. I expect my children to obey me in all things....why should my heavenly Father expect any less of me??

Hope you don't mind me coming along for the ride! If you want, you could go to the "Support" section, and start a Weigh Down thread there. I know there are a couple of us on the Christian Encouragers thread using WD principles, and at least one who has gotten the At Home videos too.

Nice to "meet" you both!

Patricia

Tammy,

I have sent you a private message here on the site.

Gods peace

Hi everyone - just a note of concern and one of praise

concern: It worries me that Gwen tells you that you can eat anything. That it isn't more health centered. Because large or small, we still all need to be healty! Right?! That part right there gave me pause and she took quite a few scriptures out of context and that is a concern also.
Then last week our pastor came to us with some information that he had about Gwen and asked us to pull the program from our church and look for something new. He is a very wise and wonderful pastor and we really trust him, so we pulled the program.
Just something to look into!

Have you looked at Prism - wonderful bible based program - very healthy and very effective. Lost 70 lbs. 27 the first 6 weeks -

Praise:
How wonderful to find all you Christians on here - that's what will make the real difference for all of us.

Unless the Lord builds the house, it's builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1

Blessings,
Peachbaby

Hi all!

This is the first that I've heard anything negative about the program.

WW also says that you can eat anything as long as you count their points, so I guess I really don't see any difference in the program.

What have you heard about Gwen? You can send me a private message if you'd like.

I don't know enough about the scriptures to know what is in context or out!!

My aunt's church is currently doing the Prism program. I didn't know about that until after I had joined WD.

Tammy -
Here is the info that I have on Weigh Down -
There is a good article about it in Christianity Today - September 4, 2000

Here is a paragraph taken from this article:
Noted Christian nutritionist Pam Smith has offed perhaps the most balanced assessment of Weigh Down's benefits and costs. "People have really grown so much stronger sprititually in Weigh Down, with the power of the small group and the power of the knowledge that God is God and food is food, but the program is scary from a medical perspective," Smith says, "People come away from it with no understanding of what they need for health. Who wouldn't want to hear that you can eat biscuits and gravy and it doesn't matter because somehow it's going to work? But there is no self-control; rather, people are saddled with the anarchy of whatever, whenever, however."
When you go through Weigh Down and then gain your weight back and you've been schooled on the notion that if you're really connecting with God, then you'll be thin, it can leave you feeling like your letting God down. Like we need anymore guilt!

So that's part of the article. Also Gwen states that she doesn't believe in the trinity - Jesus is a God, but He's not God! So most churches quite supporting her program, so she started her own church of which she is the pastor. Kinda werid stuff.

For my self on a spiritual basis - I couldn't go along with her scriptual support of her program. She uses scriputres, like "Don't
worry what you will eat or drink." or "What goes into the mouth does not defile the body, but what comes out of it." or Paul saying, "All things are lawful for me.....
But these scriptures are dealing with spiritual matters, not food. Even if it was all about food, the food in Jesus' day was perfectly healthy and good for you. If we only ate the things, Peter, James and John ate, we would be healty and skinny - Do you see where I am comming from? I pray that everyone who does Weigh Down is very successful and I don't think it's going to hurt anyone.
But I really encourage you to look at some other healty ways to eat.
Blessings,
Peachbaby