The Light Weigh - Catholic Weight Loss Program
Suzanne Fowler - Founder of a Spiritual Way to Find Peace with Food
Feb 12, 2009
The Light Weigh is written from the Catholic perspective and based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It is not necessary to be a Catholic to receive the merits of the program.
Why We Overeat
Founder Suzanne Fowler says on her international organization’s website, that the reason people overeat is due to an emotional need and go to food for stress, boredom, anger or loneliness. She believes that God has designed everyone with a ready-made hole in their heart, so that we are incomplete without Him. "He wants us to go to Him for the spiritual hunger we try to satisfy with food," she says.
Dieting versus Peace with Food
Fowler goes on to say that dieting puts people into a "shortage mentality" and steals an ability to gain peace with food. "The goal of The Light Weigh is to help attain this peace, which dieting can never supply. When we begin to fill our heart with Him is when we begin to see our temptation to overeat diminish," she says.
Designed for Group Use
Fowler started her group when she launched the program many years ago. While losing weight in a group setting, she found that people praying and making sacrifices together brings encouragement, friendship, example and the opportunity to help each other.
An Interview with a Participant
Suite 101: Why did you sign up for The Light Weigh?
After 45 years away from the practice of my faith, I felt a real need to start attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion. I saw a church bulletin announcement for The Light Weigh. At the orientation it became clear that the program was a deeply spiritual practice as well as a simple way to relate to food. I have always struggled with food issues and am now receiving the real food I was after, the Eucharist.
Suite 101: What motivates you the most?
It’s the simplicity of the program, with the ability to eat what I like but in moderation.
Suite 101: Is this the reason for your success?
No, the reason for my success is the writing practices we are given. I evaluate my success each day, focusing on my faults through our writing project, The St. Ignatius Review.
Suite 101: Do you have any criticism of the program?
I would assign more time for sharing. I think people need to mention when things are working for them and share ideas for solving problems that come up.
Suite 101: What scripture helps motivate you?
“With God all things are possible.”
Suite 101: How would you rate your success and what would you say if you could write a commercial?
The first time around I did everything required and lost over 20 lbs. I also felt I had developed a much closer relationship with Jesus. In between sessions I gained a few pounds back. I want to do it again, because the weekly meetings are good reminders of what the practice should and could be.
My commercial would say: “Take a simple approach to losing weight. No special foods to eat and nothing to measure. Fill your dish with offerings to God and you will find peace towards food and a closer connection to your spiritual pathway in this life”.
The Light Weigh holds semi-annual annual retreats. For information and member testimonials visit here.
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