Gwen Shamblin on Tyra tonight...

[HunnyPots]

Anybody see this? I had heard of the whole Weigh Down thing but I never knew she had her own church based on it! I gotta say, this was the most bizarre weight loss program I've ever seen. And the whole time she kept saying how it wasn't about weight loss; it was all about God. But at the same time demonstrated these techniques on how to eat each bite of food, how many times you have to chew, picking out your "favorite" french fries or m&m's or whatever and only eating those, etc. It just all seemed very obsessive and controlling to me. What did you think?

 

[punkin712]

I actually saw this episode last week and immediately emailed a friend of mine because I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

First of all, Gwen is a complete lunatic. She has a combover to rival The Donald and that whole bit about how she gets up every morning and asks God what she should wear was just crazy.

Secondly, her "program" really just boils down to something called Volumetrics. Basically, the idea is that you can lose weight by eating foods with more volume because you'll feel fuller faster. For example, pretzels would be a low volume food, but soup would be a high volume food. Gwen said to take a sip of diet soda after each bite so you're really just adding volume to everything you eat.

And, isn't it obvious that taking smaller bites and eating more slowly are keys to weight loss? It gives your body a chance to feel full before you have overeaten.

Personally, I was disgusted by everything about her. I don't care if she uses her training as a dietician to help people lose weight, but turning it into a religion/cult is sickening.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

SHe is truly wickey-in-the-wacky-woo, in my opinion. How odd of Tyra to have her as a guest.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Well, two of her former church members were just convicted of murdering their eight year old son based on the teachings of her "church" so that may be why she's on Tyra.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Well, two of her former church members were just convicted of murdering their eight year old son based on the teachings of her "church" so that may be why she's on Tyra.

Oh my word!!!!!!!! That is awful! Do you have any links on that?

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

I went through the WeighDown Workshop about 12 years ago. It was offered at our church and was a wonderful Bible study based weight loss program. I lost 50 lbs in 12 weeks using the principles there. The whole basis is to eat when hungry/ stop when full. Plus, prayer and Bible study was emphasized. I was an emotional eater, so when I wanted to eat, I stopped & said a prayer or read the Bible first. Often that would distract me or give me strength to say "no" to eating when I wasn't hungry.

HOWEVER, I will agree that her religious beliefs are completely wacko. When it came to surface a few years ago that she doesn't believe in the Trinity; that she started her own church based her own beliefs, etc..., mainstream denominations we quick to distance themselves from her. Rightly so, I think. I totally do not agree with the direction she has gone. It's really sad, too, because the program had potential.

Personally, I've continued to use the principals I learned in WeighDown Workshop. I've also added in the past year, regular exercise for the first time in years! Working with a personal trainer has made me much healthier & stronger.

 

[HunnyPots]

OK - good to know I am not alone in my assessment of her - wowza!
Yeah, I agree that the whole 'eat when hungry, stop when full' is a big DUH! It was just the idea of making a two inch french fry into four bites after sorting them out and only eating 'the nicest looking ones' was about as OCD as anything I've ever seen.
So, she said God tells her what to wear everyday? I must have missed that part. Why then, doesn't she ask him for help with that hair?!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

OK - good to know I am not alone in my assessment of her - wowza!
Yeah, I agree that the whole 'eat when hungry, stop when full' is a big DUH! It was just the idea of making a two inch french fry into four bites after sorting them out and only eating 'the nicest looking ones' was about as OCD as anything I've ever seen.
So, she said God tells her what to wear everyday? I must have missed that part. Why then, doesn't she ask him for help with that hair?!

 

[nannerbadnanner]

Oh my word!!!!!!!! That is awful! Do you have any links on that?

Her church in Franklin, TN is call The Remnant Fellowship. They apparently teach some strange discipline methods. The couple were part of her church, but the murder took place in Atlanta, and they were tried and convicted there. It was on the news alot here (Nashville) in the past few months.

There are several articles on www.newschannel5.com. Just search "Remnant Fellowship" and it should pull them all up.

 

[Buckalew11]

I went through the WeighDown Workshop about 12 years ago. It was offered at our church and was a wonderful Bible study based weight loss program. I lost 50 lbs in 12 weeks using the principles there. The whole basis is to eat when hungry/ stop when full. Plus, prayer and Bible study was emphasized. I was an emotional eater, so when I wanted to eat, I stopped & said a prayer or read the Bible first. Often that would distract me or give me strength to say "no" to eating when I wasn't hungry.

HOWEVER, I will agree that her religious beliefs are completely wacko. When it came to surface a few years ago that she doesn't believe in the Trinity; that she started her own church based her own beliefs, etc..., mainstream denominations we quick to distance themselves from her. Rightly so, I think. I totally do not agree with the direction she has gone. It's really sad, too, because the program had potential.

Personally, I've continued to use the principals I learned in WeighDown Workshop. I've also added in the past year, regular exercise for the first time in years! Working with a personal trainer has made me much healthier & stronger.

I also went through Weigh Down before Gwen Shamblin got all wacky. I tivoed this last night and will watch to see just how out there and waxcky she has become! I did see her hair! What is she thinking with that hair?! I also distanced myself when she announced she did not believe in the Trinity. I lost 22 lbs on WD in my 12 weeks. It was the easiest weigh to lose weight ever--the weight just melted off! I kept it off for years. Until I found the DIS, actually.

I'll tell you, the french fry example is more "in your head" than OCD. The thought is that you will save the best ones for last and therefore overeat even if you have reached full because you are "saving" them. I've done that and have talked to many people who agree. If you eat those first, then when you reach full, you will not be as tempted to eat the bad looking ones.

Other than that, she's nuts.

 

[NavySealMom]

please check out this website spiritwatch.org This is the site of a "counter cult" ministry which has been involved in supplying the truth about many groups/cults and Weighdown Workshop and Remnant Fellowship are covered very well. This group of misguided believers has by its "Leadership" and their directives, estranged many of the church members from their family and friends. Weddings, births, funerals, and family events have been often unattended at the encouragement of the church leadership because the other churches are "counterfeit" in their eyes and . I have seen this happen first hand in my own family as I have some relatives who are members of this church. It's close to a Stepford Wives type situation when you look at how many of them look alike, dress alike, have those frozen smiles, and emulate Gwen's clothing and make up style and, scarey enough, that hairstyle at times! If you check out the pics on the Remnant Fellowship site, you will see exactly what I mean. I believe they are sincere people but sadly misguided by this self-proclaimed "prophetess". There are numerous references to Gwen Shamblin on local Nashville news stations and The Tennessean which is the local newspaper. Check into the murder trial of a young Atlantan boy, Josef Smith, whose parents were members of this church and found guilty of murder, abuse, child neglect, etc, earlier this year.