Recently, nearly 2,000 of Shamblin's followers gathered for a motivational conference in Carrollton. As part of the Weigh Down Workshop, participants like Melinda meet weekly at North Richland Hills Baptist Church. They're told to wait until their stomach growls before eating anything. They can then eat whatever they want, but must stop when they're full. At times of weakness, followers are encouraged to pray or read the Bible.
Food is a false comfort.
It is a false help. Mindee Purchase says she has lost eight pounds in three weeks. When I am hungry, truly hungry, stomach hunger, I eat. The First Place Diet also teaches participants to put God first and everything else will fall in place. After weighing in each week, participants recite Bible verses they've memorized.