Parish program connects dieting with filling soul

"This program teaches participants to eat only when they are hungry and to stop when they are satisfied," said Diane Bigos, secretary at Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville.

Light Weigh is based on the idea that people do not overeat because of nutritional needs, she said. Instead, the program's founder, Suzanne Fowler of Leawood, Kansas, believes that people are searching for ways to satisfy emotional and spiritual hunger generated by stress, anxiety, boredom, nervousness, distraction, anger or sadness.

Nourishment

Participants pay a one-time fee of $117 that covers all materials, including a workbook, audiotapes and a spiritual growth kit with Bible readings and study guidelines.

At the meetings, the group prays and studies the Bible topic chosen for that week. They then watch a 30-minute video that covers four areas:

* A "rock fact" or foundational fact from Catholic teaching based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church,

* A saint of the week,

* An eating example, which reinforces eating guidelines, and

* A topic of the week, based on information in the Light Weigh workbook.

Connection to God

According to an article in The Leaven, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas, she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to start the program because of "a longing to tell people how precious they are to God, no matter what they weigh."

She easily identifies with the people in the program, she continued, because she has been struggling with overweight for most of her life.

After her sixth child, she discovered that if she ate smaller portions of food than she was used to, she could lose some weight. But she couldn't "keep it off" and never lost as much as she needed to. She decided to pray about it and believes it was through the intervention of the Holy Spirit that a "spiritual aspect" was added to her formula for weight loss. That prompted her to develop the Light Weigh program.

'Bonus'

"The spiritual aspect of this program is terrific," said Carol Blanchard, coordinator of the program there. "The bonus is that I've learned so much more about my faith. People come to our program and, after a while, their spirituality just blossoms with renewed energy. It's a beautiful thing to see."

Ms. Bigos, who has been a member of other weight loss groups, feels inspired by the spiritual advantages of the Light Weigh program.

"It is very 'Catholic-based.' I like the way it follows the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church," she said. "I am looking forward to having this program in our parish. I feel as if I am called to bring this to other people."

The Light Weigh orientation meeting at Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville is Sept. 9, 7 p.m. Call Diane Bigos at 399-3899. St. Ambrose parish in Latham will hold its orientation meeting on Sept. 10, 6:15 p.m., at Our Lady of Hope Residence, located behind the parish. Call Carol Blanchard at 785-5299.

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