When diet and exercise don't get you the results you want, church weight loss programs offer a spiritual alternative. These programs claim to be different from standard diets because they address the emotional and spiritual components of overeating and stress the importance of relying on God's strength to lose weight.
The Eden Diet
Dr. Rita Hancock wrote the book "The Eden Diet" after successfully addressing her own struggles with weight as a young adult. With an undergraduate degree in nutrition followed by her completion of medical school, Dr. Hancock bases her program on sound science and emphasizes healthy portion sizes, enjoyment of eating and most importantly, eating only when you are hungry, not as an attempt to fill an emotional or spiritual need. "The Eden Diet" provides a merciful approach to weight loss by encouraging self acceptance at any size. The program includes the book, a workbook, CDs, online community support and limited support groups around the United States.
Weigh Down Ministries
Gwen Shamblin, a registered dietitian and author of the book "Weigh Down Diet" created Weigh Down Ministries to help people achieve permanent weight loss and provide a solution to all addictions. Weigh Down claims to be the pioneer of faith-based weight loss and offers free resources on its website to get started. The program emphasizes eating only when you're truly hungry, nourishing the human soul with a relationship with God and relearning how to interpret hunger cues. The complete program involves online classes, the book, workbook, audio CDs and online community support. Weigh Down's website features numerous video testimonials and an online store. Shamblin has made numerous television appearances on major networks in the United States and Great Britain and appeared in People magazine and Good Housekeeping.
Thin Within
Judy Halliday R.N., a registered psychiatric nurse, wrote the book "Thin Within: How to Eat and Live Like a Thin Person," and co-founded Thin Within along with Joy Imboden Overstreet. Both women struggled with overweight before creating Thin Within. The program encourages you to eat only when you're hungry and stop before you're full, taking advantage of God's power to exercise self-control. It includes the book "Thin Within," a workbook, CDs and support groups in most states throughout the country. Although the program may provide spiritual guidance, its leader is neither a registered dietitian nor certified nutritionist. The program also allows practices such as eating only one meal a day--if that is all you're hungry for--and drinking fewer than eight glasses of water per day, both of which could hinder weight loss.
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