Weigh Down Ministries

Weight Loss Clinic in Brentwood, Tennessee

Call (615) 771-12121230 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027

5 (1 reviews)

About Weigh Down Ministries

Weigh Down Ministries in Brentwood takes a completely different approach to weight loss than most clinics. Founded by Gwen Shamblin Lara, the program is built on the belief that overeating is a spiritual issue, not just a physical one. The ministry teaches that food cravings are often a symptom of seeking comfort from food rather than from God, and that redirecting that hunger toward spiritual fulfillment produces lasting change where conventional diet programs consistently fail.

The program has been around since the 1980s and has helped thousands of people lose weight without counting calories, following rigid meal plans, or relying on medication. Their perfect 5-star rating reflects the intensity of community loyalty. It's not for everyone, and it's explicitly faith-based, but for those whose values align, many say it's the only thing that's ever worked for them long-term.

Services Offered

Weigh Down Ministries offers group classes, online courses, books, and one-on-one coaching all built around their faith-based weight loss framework. The core program teaches participants to identify true physical hunger versus emotional eating, and to respond to cravings through prayer and spiritual practice rather than food. Classes meet regularly and combine Scripture study with practical guidance on eating behavior. The Weigh Down Workshop is their signature small-group curriculum that churches and community groups have used for decades. Participants work through workbooks and video content developed by Gwen Shamblin Lara that walks through the biblical basis for the approach and provides concrete techniques for changing eating habits. Beyond the workshop format, Weigh Down operates the Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood, which serves as both a spiritual community and the organizational home of the ministry. Many participants find that the church community deepens their commitment and their results. Online resources are available for those who can't attend in person, including video courses and community forums. Nutrition coaching is available as an add-on for participants who want personalized guidance applying the ministry's principles to their individual patterns.

Weight Loss Centers

Nutritionists

Treatment Options

Weigh Down Workshop

Small-group curriculum combining Scripture study with practical techniques for identifying emotional hunger and replacing food-seeking behavior with spiritual practice.

Multi-week programVaries by group

Online Course Program

Self-paced digital course teaching the foundational Weigh Down principles through video content and workbooks developed by Gwen Shamblin Lara.

Self-paced$20-$60

One-on-One Coaching

Personalized sessions to help participants apply Weigh Down principles to their individual eating patterns and work through specific emotional triggers.

OngoingVaries by coach

Books and Study Materials

Foundational books and workbooks including the original Weigh Down Diet and supporting materials for independent study or group use.

Self-pacedUnder $30

What to Expect

Getting started with Weigh Down typically begins with attending an introductory class or purchasing the foundational course materials. New participants are introduced to the core principles, which include learning to distinguish physical hunger from emotional hunger, understanding the spiritual basis for the program, and beginning to practice waiting for genuine hunger before eating.

From there, participants join a workshop group, either in person at the Brentwood location or online. The workshop runs over several weeks and covers the curriculum in depth. Group meetings provide accountability and community, which many participants say is essential to their progress.

Ongoing support is available through the Remnant Fellowship community and through online forums. Participants who want more intensive support can work with a coach. The program doesn't have a fixed end date. Many people continue engaging with the community indefinitely because they find the spiritual and social connection valuable well beyond the initial weight loss phase.

Why Choose Weigh Down Ministries

Weigh Down has a perfect 5-star rating, which is rare for any business and especially remarkable for a weight loss program. That kind of score reflects deep loyalty from participants who say the program changed not just their weight but their entire relationship with food and their faith.

If you've tried every diet and program out there and still can't make it stick, Weigh Down's premise is worth considering. They argue that willpower-based approaches fail because they don't address the emotional and spiritual dynamics driving overeating. The program doesn't require you to buy special food, track calories, or follow a strict eating plan. It asks you to examine why you eat and to build a different kind of practice around hunger.

The community aspect is strong. Participants often form lasting connections with others in their workshop groups. For people who've felt isolated in their struggle with weight, that sense of belonging can be as important as any technique the program teaches.

Insurance & Pricing

Weigh Down Ministries operates as a ministry rather than a medical clinic, so health insurance doesn't apply to their services. Course materials, books, and workshops are priced affordably compared to commercial weight loss programs. The foundational book and workbook set typically costs under $30, and workshop enrollment fees vary depending on format and facilitator.

Online courses and digital content are available at various price points, and much of the foundational material is accessible at low cost. Donations to the ministry are tax-deductible as charitable contributions. The program's affordability is one of its most commonly cited advantages over medically supervised alternatives.

First-Time Patient Tips

Come to Weigh Down with an open mind and real patience. The program asks you to challenge deeply held beliefs about food, dieting, and your body. That's not a comfortable process for everyone, and shifting thinking that may be decades in the making takes time.

Read the foundational materials before jumping into a workshop group. Understanding the core philosophy before your first session will help you engage more meaningfully and ask better questions. If you're not a practicing Christian or aren't comfortable with faith-based language, this program probably isn't the right fit. The curriculum is deeply scriptural and assumes a Christian worldview.

Be honest with your coach and group about where you struggle. The program works best when participants are willing to be transparent about their emotional eating patterns. Half-hearted participation rarely produces results. Full engagement with all components, including the spiritual ones, is what participants with the best long-term outcomes consistently describe.

Pros & Cons

Advantages

The program targets the emotional and spiritual root causes of overeating, which most diet plans skip entirely.
It's very affordable compared to medically supervised weight loss programs or commercial diet plans.
The community support through workshop groups and Remnant Fellowship provides genuine ongoing accountability.

Things to Consider

The program is explicitly faith-based and Christian, making it a poor fit for anyone outside that worldview.
There's no medical oversight, so it's not appropriate for people with weight-related health conditions that require clinical care.

Service Area

Weigh Down Ministries is based in Brentwood and serves participants locally through in-person classes and community events. Their online program reaches people across the United States and internationally. Local participants come from Brentwood, Nashville, Franklin, Nolensville, and surrounding Williamson County communities. The ministry's connection to Remnant Fellowship Church gives it a physical anchor in Brentwood while its digital presence extends well beyond Middle Tennessee.

Local Insight

Brentwood has a high concentration of active churches and faith-based organizations. Weigh Down fits naturally into that community context and draws participants from congregations across Williamson County and the greater Nashville area. The ministry's physical presence includes the Remnant Fellowship Church campus, which hosts classes and events. The area's demographics, educated suburban families with strong faith ties, align well with Weigh Down's program model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to join Remnant Fellowship Church to participate?

No, you don't have to join the church. The Weigh Down Workshop and online programs are open to anyone. Many participants engage with the curriculum independently without ever becoming church members.

Is this program based on a specific diet plan?

No. Weigh Down doesn't prescribe specific foods or calorie targets. The focus is on eating only when you're physically hungry and stopping when you're satisfied, regardless of what you're eating.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

Results vary widely. Some participants lose significant weight over months or years, while others experience more modest changes. The program emphasizes freedom from food obsession as much as changes to the number on the scale.

Can I do the program entirely online?

Yes. Weigh Down has a full online program including courses, community forums, and digital materials. You don't need to be in Brentwood or attend anything in person.

Is this appropriate for people with eating disorders?

People with clinical eating disorders should seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional before starting this or any program. Weigh Down is not a medical or therapeutic service.

What's the difference between Weigh Down and standard nutritional counseling?

Nutritional counseling focuses on what and how much you eat. Weigh Down focuses on why you eat and works to change the emotional and spiritual patterns driving overeating. They're quite different in their approach and their assumptions.

Are the program materials available in other languages?

The primary materials are in English, and some resources have been translated, but availability in other languages is limited. Check the ministry's website for current offerings.

How long does it take to see results?

Some participants notice changes in their relationship with food within a few weeks. Physical weight loss results vary and tend to develop more gradually as the behavioral and spiritual practices become more established.