The Weigh Down Workshop

Gwen Shamblin is a registered dietician and founder of the Weigh Down Workshop and the Remnant Fellowship Church. Her weight-loss methods were established over 15 years ago, she holds workshops in over 30,000 locations, and her books have sold millions of copies. She has been featured on The Today Show, DaySide, The Early Show, and The Tyra Banks Show.

Pretty impressive resume, huh? Well, considering the number of people that have been exposed to her ludicrous methods, it's no wonder that America is fatter than ever.

Weigh Down Workshop is based on the principal that diets are the cause of overeating. No, seriously; that's quoted straight from her website. According to Gwen, when people feel an urge to snack but are not experiencing true hunger, they should read the Bible instead.

So ... read the bible and eat less ... tell me again how that isn't a diet?

According to Gwen, obesity is a sign of disobedience to God. By overeating, you are rejecting God. Fat people cannot be saved. What the hell is the matter with you, choosing food over God? Put that drumstick down! Many of the individuals who tried the Weigh Down Workshop stated that they were immobilized by the guilt they felt. Unable to starve themselves in order to lose weight, they felt that they must be sinners with a first-class ticket to Hades.

In the guilt-riddled mess that your life has become while enjoying the Weigh Down Workshop, you might consider turning to anti-depressants. Don't do it! Gwen states quite clearly that they are suppressing guilt that was given to you by God. Don't believe your doctor. It's not a chemical imbalance. It's not your hormones. It's your immortal soul begging you to put that drumstick down.

Does Gwen advocate exercise to increase metabolism, burn calories, and improve weight loss?

No.

According to Gwen Shamblin, exercise isn't necessary; in fact, it is discouraged. By exercising, you are cheating the system and not being totally obedient by fully relying on God. Your focus should be on faith, not exercise or healthy eating habits. In fact, all things are made by God. Therefore, all foods are acceptable, as long as they are eaten in moderation. Hey, cocaine was made by God, right? Time to score me some blow. No worries, as long as I do it in moderation.

In spite of these principles so obviously grounded in scientific fact and study, Gwen found that many of her Weigh Down Workshop participants were either failing to lose weight or regaining the weight they had lost. That's why, in 1999, she founded the Remnant Fellowship Church.

She began touring the country, giving seminars, and eventually encouraging people to leave their churches, friends, and family to move to Nashville and join her cult -- I mean church. In total, it is estimated that over 650 members have picked up her banner. We found one comment by a user on Amazon.com that stated he had lost his wife to the good Remnant Fellowship Church.

Read these testimonies from former Remnant Fellowship Church members. Some of them are scary as hell.

For more information on the Gwen Shamblin and her Church, check out this website.

Okay, okay. You can eat the drumstick. God will forgive you, I promise.