Gwen Shamblin put the "cult" in Diet Culture as you'll hear today in clips (used under Fair Use law for educational and critique purposes) from the 2023 Lifetime Movie, "Starving for Salvation: The Gwen Shamblin Story." Gwen was starving for salvation, trying to fill a void and an emptiness through weight loss, and eventually through power, money, and control. In today's episode (part 2 of 2) we listen to clips from the movie that show her rapid descent into heresy, denying Jesus, her rejection of grace, and her displays of wrong theology around what makes a woman acceptable or unacceptable in the church. These powerful, hurtful, and unbiblical concepts may still be lingering in churches today (the Weigh Down book sold more than 1.7 million copies and her program is still alive today and at one point was in 14,000 churches.) Heather's call to you today is to be clear on what the Bible says. Be clear about what the Bible really says about our bodies, weight loss (by the way -- it doesn't touch this subject), and food.  

Ready to get on the path to body image freedom? Learn more about Compared to Who? at https://www.improvebodyimage.com and find access to online courses, Heather's books and other podcast episodes like this. 

Need more help on you freedom journey? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching

Gwen Shamblin put the "cult" in Diet Culture as you'll hear today in clips (used under Fair Use law for educational and critique purposes) from the 2023 Lifetime Movie, "Starving for Salvation: The Gwen Shamblin Story." Gwen was starving for salvation, trying to fill a void and an emptiness through weight loss, and eventually through power, money, and control. In today's episode (part 2 of 2) we listen to clips from the movie that show her rapid descent into heresy, denying Jesus, her rejection of grace, and her displays of wrong theology around what makes a woman acceptable or unacceptable in the church. These powerful, hurtful, and unbiblical concepts may still be lingering in churches today (the Weigh Down book sold more than 1.7 million copies and her program is still alive today and at one point was in 14,000 churches.) Heather's call to you today is to be clear on what the Bible says. Be clear about what the Bible really says about our bodies, weight loss (by the way -- it doesn't touch this subject), and food.  
Ready to get on the path to body image freedom? Learn more about Compared to Who? at <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com </a>and find access to online courses, Heather's books and other podcast episodes like this. 
Need more help on you freedom journey? Consider becoming part of the Body Image Freedom Framework - learn more here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching">https://www.improvebodyimage.com/christian-body-image-course-coaching</a>

**The Go-to Podcast for Christian women who want to improve their body image and stop comparing themselves to others!**
Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? 
Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? 
Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better?
Bonus: Have you ever prayed for God to zap you skinny? ;) (Your secret is safe here.)

If you answered yes to any of the above, then Compared to Who? A Biblical Approach to Body Image Issues is the show for you!

Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like feeling out of control with food, body shame, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, dieting, body dysmorphia, body hatred, and more from a practical, grace-filled, biblical, and gospel-centered perspective.

I'm Heather Creekmore, author of several books (including a forthcoming body image workbook), speaker, and Christian body image coach. Our approach to body image issues is relatable, authentic, and truth-driven. We hope every episode is filled with grace and hope for your personal struggle. I spent decades battling the scale and the mirror. But, now I help women get free from body image issues so they can stop comparing and start living. Listen to laugh about all the common ways we struggle and find encouragement for our journey.

Find out more about Heather Creekmore and the ministry of Compared to Who? or to get Christian body image coaching, visit: https://www.comparedtowho.me

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

**The Go-to Podcast for Christian women who want to improve their body image and stop comparing themselves to others!**
<ul>
<li>Are you a Christian woman who is tired of the same old answers to your body image and comparison struggles? </li>
<li>Have you "tried everything," yet still feel like your body isn't enough or should be better? </li>
<li>Do you know that "God looks at the heart" or "You're fearfully and wonderfully made" yet STILL feel like maybe God should have made your body better?</li>
<li>Bonus: Have you ever prayed for God to zap you skinny? ;) (Your secret is safe here.)</li>
</ul>
If you answered yes to any of the above, then Compared to Who? A Biblical Approach to Body Image Issues is the show for you!
Twice a week, we tackle tough topics like feeling out of control with food, body shame, disordered eating, weight loss, aging, dieting, body dysmorphia, body hatred, and more from a practical, grace-filled, biblical, and gospel-centered perspective.
I'm Heather Creekmore, author of several books (including a forthcoming body image workbook), speaker, and Christian body image coach. Our approach to body image issues is relatable, authentic, and truth-driven. We hope every episode is filled with grace and hope for your personal struggle. I spent decades battling the scale and the mirror. But, now I help women get free from body image issues so they can stop comparing and start living. Listen to laugh about all the common ways we struggle and find encouragement for our journey.
Find out more about Heather Creekmore and the ministry of Compared to Who? or to get Christian body image coaching, visit: <a href="https://www.comparedtowho.me">https://www.comparedtowho.me</a> 
Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit the group here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024">https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024</a>

Compared to Who? Body Image for Christian Women

Gwen Shamblin's Impact on Diet Culture in the Church

Heather Creekmore and special guest Erin Todd delve into an expression we've heard a lot in Christian circles: "Turn to Jesus Not Food."  We've all been there. It's late, you've had a hard day. And what you really want it brownies, or cookies, or the ice cream. Maybe you bake or maybe you drive to the store. You give in. You eat the thing that you had hoped you wouldn't. It's like the craving took over. And, now you feel guilt, shame, and worse: You wonder if you've sinned by turning to food not Jesus. You believe you should have just prayed the craving away or handled the emotional need in a way that did not include food.

Today Heather and Erin unpack this expression. They talk about whether or not our physical food cravings are sinful. They discuss how eating can and does help a stressed or tired body calm down, but how this doesn't have to be the only tool in the tool belt. Erin and Heather also talk about the importance of really listening to our bodies so that we can nourish them appropriately. We don't always have to "give in" to the cravings, but neither do we have to over-spiritualize them.

Heather and Erin reference these episodes today:

Gwen Shamblin and Starving for Salvation: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin

Gluttony Part 1: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-gluttony-really-what-the-bible-really-says

Exploring Every Bible Verse on Gluttony: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part

Connect with Compared to Who: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Journey here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Connect with Erin or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast Here: https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com/

Heather Creekmore and special guest Erin Todd delve into an expression we've heard a lot in Christian circles: "Turn to Jesus Not Food."  We've all been there. It's late, you've had a hard day. And what you really want it brownies, or cookies, or the ice cream. Maybe you bake or maybe you drive to the store. You give in. You eat the thing that you had hoped you wouldn't. It's like the craving took over. And, now you feel guilt, shame, and worse: You wonder if you've sinned by turning to food not Jesus. You believe you should have just prayed the craving away or handled the emotional need in a way that did not include food.
Today Heather and Erin unpack this expression. They talk about whether or not our physical food cravings are sinful. They discuss how eating can and does help a stressed or tired body calm down, but how this doesn't have to be the only tool in the tool belt. Erin and Heather also talk about the importance of really listening to our bodies so that we can nourish them appropriately. We don't always have to "give in" to the cravings, but neither do we have to over-spiritualize them.
Heather and Erin reference these episodes today:
<a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin">Gwen Shamblin and Starving for Salvation: https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/starving-for-salvation-diet-culture-gwen-shamblin</a>
Gluttony Part 1: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-gluttony-really-what-the-bible-really-says">https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/what-is-gluttony-really-what-the-bible-really-says</a>
Exploring Every Bible Verse on Gluttony: <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part">https://omny.fm/shows/compared-to-who/more-thoughts-on-gluttony-what-the-bible-says-part</a>
Connect with Compared to Who: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
Join the 40-Day Body Image Workbook Journey here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge">https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge</a>
Connect with Erin or listen to the Intuitive Eating for Christian Women Podcast Here: <a href="https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com/">https://intuitiveeatingforchristianwomen.com/</a>

Re-evaluating "Turn to Jesus, Not Food": Have We Created a False Dichotomy?

Today Heather chats with Amy Connell about the ways we as moms who were fully entrenched in diet culture can start to change the conversations in our home around food and body. Amy and Heather were both fitness instructors and focused on “health education” trying to, out of love, do what was best for their kids around food and exercise. But, as they discuss today, some of what they did was likely unhelpful. As the research shows, some of the rules they enforced and the ways they modeled a restrictive relationship with food or over-emphasized exercise may have sent the wrong message to their kids. 

Amy and Heather talk about how our children and teens are on the journey with us out of diet culture, whether they know it or not. They talk about how tricky it can be to have our children watch our pendulum swing from restricting all the foods or maybe always being on a diet to giving up dieting and trying to eat more intuitively.

They also discuss how our kids—both boys and girls--are being influenced by social media and YouTube influencers around what they should eat and how they should look or exercise. They talk about how to manage this challenge when you are trying to teach your children and teens a different way.

Similarly, Amy and Heather talk about helping our children see the agenda that the culture has for them--and how diet culture plays into this agenda that wants them to be so focused on food, exercise, body, and appearance that they can miss out on what God has for them and find themselves in anxiety, depression, eating disorders or worse.

You'll be encouraged by today's podcast, share it with a friend or leave a review!

Ready to sign up for the 40-day body image workbook reading journey? We start May 21st! Learn more or sign up here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Purchase Amy's new book, Your CORE Strength on most online stores including Amazon and Bookshop if you prefer to support independent bookstores. All formats, including paperback, ebook and audiobook are available.


You may also grab the Parents Guide - a Cliffs notes version for you to learn the main concepts as well as receive other helpful resources like recommended Instagram accounts, books and podcasts, and ways to support your daughter.


Want some more Christ-centered, diet-culture-free encouragement for your daughter? Invite her to listen to Amy's podcast for Christian teen girls, Lessons to My Teenage Self (also on YouTube if they aren't regular podcast listeners.)
Connect with Amy:@gracedhealth (for women over 40)@lessons.pod (for teens)
GracedHealth.com

Today Heather chats with Amy Connell about the ways we as moms who were fully entrenched in diet culture can start to change the conversations in our home around food and body. Amy and Heather were both fitness instructors and focused on “health education” trying to, out of love, do what was best for their kids around food and exercise. But, as they discuss today, some of what they did was likely unhelpful. As the research shows, some of the rules they enforced and the ways they modeled a restrictive relationship with food or over-emphasized exercise may have sent the wrong message to their kids. 
Amy and Heather talk about how our children and teens are on the journey with us out of diet culture, whether they know it or not. They talk about how tricky it can be to have our children watch our pendulum swing from restricting all the foods or maybe always being on a diet to giving up dieting and trying to eat more intuitively.
They also discuss how our kids—both boys and girls--are being influenced by social media and YouTube influencers around what they should eat and how they should look or exercise. They talk about how to manage this challenge when you are trying to teach your children and teens a different way.
Similarly, Amy and Heather talk about helping our children see the agenda that the culture has for them--and how diet culture plays into this agenda that wants them to be so focused on food, exercise, body, and appearance that they can miss out on what God has for them and find themselves in anxiety, depression, eating disorders or worse.
You'll be encouraged by today's podcast, share it with a friend or leave a review!
Ready to sign up for the 40-day body image workbook reading journey? We start May 21st! Learn more or sign up here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge">https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge</a>
Purchase Amy's new book, Your CORE Strength on most online stores including <a href="https://amzn.to/3xudBt1">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/102856/9781737707646">Bookshop</a> if you prefer to support independent bookstores. All formats, including paperback, ebook and audiobook are available.
 You may also grab the <a href="https://www.gracedhealth.com/parents-guide/">Parents Guide</a> - a Cliffs notes version for you to learn the main concepts as well as receive other helpful resources like recommended Instagram accounts, books and podcasts, and ways to support your daughter.
 Want some more Christ-centered, diet-culture-free encouragement for your daughter? Invite her to listen to Amy's podcast for Christian teen girls, Lessons to My Teenage Self (also on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLithM8wPjNsncmwS6t0Xm8Xc72Tpp-upu">YouTube</a> if they aren't regular podcast listeners.) Connect with Amy:@gracedhealth (for women over 40)@lessons.pod (for teens)<a> </a><a href="http://gracedhealth.com/">GracedHealth.com</a>

Changing How You Talk About Food & Body With Your Children

Are you trying to do everything right to be “healthier” but feeling overwhelmed with all the rules? Have you been sucked into watching a "master class," influencer videos, or subscribing to the program of an influencer who offers the “right” ways to eat, act, and move so that we can beat all our diseases or live a long life? Today Heather questions the food rules, whether or not they are helpful, too severe or disordered, and whether or not they are healthy for us spiritually and mentally (do they invoke humility or pride?). Is food the most important thing to our health or, if we look at history, are we putting too much emphasis on our food rules and the connection they have to optimal health? What about the ways we personally believe or hold to our own health and food rules? Are we willing to try anything and do anything to get what the idol of health gives us? Do we believe that we’ve “lost our lives” and do we try everything because we are desperate to “get our lives back”?

In this information age, it's easy to believe that the end of all of our suffering is available if only we just work hard enough to find it. This can put us on a wild scavenger hunt to find the end to our sufferings. But, if it doesn't work, or even if it does, how does this affect our mental and spiritual health?

Heather closes the show with five suggestions to help anyone be more discerning about health programs and their offerings, and what we click on.

Learn more about Heather and Compared to Who? by visiting: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Join the 40 Day Reading Challenge here: https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge

Are you trying to do everything right to be “healthier” but feeling overwhelmed with all the rules? Have you been sucked into watching a "master class," influencer videos, or subscribing to the program of an influencer who offers the “right” ways to eat, act, and move so that we can beat all our diseases or live a long life? Today Heather questions the food rules, whether or not they are helpful, too severe or disordered, and whether or not they are healthy for us spiritually and mentally (do they invoke humility or pride?). Is food the most important thing to our health or, if we look at history, are we putting too much emphasis on our food rules and the connection they have to optimal health? What about the ways we personally believe or hold to our own health and food rules? Are we willing to try anything and do anything to get what the idol of health gives us? Do we believe that we’ve “lost our lives” and do we try everything because we are desperate to “get our lives back”?
In this information age, it's easy to believe that the end of all of our suffering is available if only we just work hard enough to find it. This can put us on a wild scavenger hunt to find the end to our sufferings. But, if it doesn't work, or even if it does, how does this affect our mental and spiritual health?
Heather closes the show with five suggestions to help anyone be more discerning about health programs and their offerings, and what we click on.
Learn more about Heather and Compared to Who? by visiting: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
Join the 40 Day Reading Challenge here: <a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge">https://www.improvebodyimage.com/40-day-challenge</a>

Gwen Shamblin's Impact on Diet Culture in the Church

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