I've been in a weight loss program sponsored by my church for 13 months, and having great success during the sessions. But during the months between sessions, I was having less success until I found this book.

The book is organized as easy daily readings over a 12 week period, covering everything from the basics of nutrition and exercise to the emotional reasons so often behind overeating. It is useful both for losing weight at a sensible sustainable pace, and for keeping excess weight off permanently.

I've now read the book three times, and find newly-useful info each time I do. I recommend this book highly, either for individual or couple study, or for use as a small group discussion tool.

As of today I am 46 pounds down, and still losing at a very heathy and sustainable rate of about a pound a week. Part of the credit for that goes to this book.

James F. Strasma

This book is divided into twelve chapters, to fit the twelve weeks of the "Total Temple Makeover" weight loss program. Each chapter has seven sections:
1. Inspiration
2. Devotional
3. Thoughts for Food
4. What You Eat
5. The Journey Journal
6. Make It Real
7. A Voice along the path

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Day 1. Inspiration: The Problem of Overeating
Day 2. Devotional: Doing God's Will
Day 3. Thoughts for Food: Food Combinations
Day 4. What You Eat: Fruits
Day 5. The Journey Journal: Emotional Eating
Day 6. Make It Real: Exercise
Day 7: A Voice along the Path: Kale's Story

Day 1: Inspiration: A Makeover Mentality
Day 2: Devotional: A Prayer for Thanks
Day 3: Thoughts for Food: Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load
Day 4: What You Eat: Processed or Unprocessed (More)

Day 1: Inspiration: It's Your Choice
Day 2: Devotional: Trust in the Lord
Day 3: Thoughts for Food: Realistic Expectations
Day 4: What You Eat: Whole Grains (More)

The following are the topics that are covered in this chapter:
Day 1 Inspiration: The Journey Begins
Day 2: Devotional: One Step at a Time
Day 3: Thoughts for Food: Diet Redefined
Day 4: What You Eat: Food Groups

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For many of us, the dieting cycle has become part of our lives. We jump on the latest diet, lose some weight, and fall back into our old habits--regaining everything we had lost. Dr. Gregory Jantz tries to help us change that cycle in The Total Temple Makeover. Jantz advocates a holistic approach to developing a healthy lifestyle through nutritional education, exercise, maintaining a journal, and the study of Scripture. As a founder and executive director of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, he utilizes his experience to create a gentler and hopefully more enduring approach to weight loss and health than many of the popular fads.

The Total Temple Makeover is a twelve-week program. Jantz breaks each week into seven readings. One day of each week introduces a new concept in nutrition, such as drinking enough water, the various parts of the food pyramid, or exercise. The reader tries to incorporate this into his program before taking on another nutritional aspect during the following week. One day offers inspiration, another something for the reader to write about in his journal, another a devotional, and another the story of a dieter on the program.

Jantz writes an upbeat book in a friendly, encouraging style. He does fall into the popular practice of applying Scripture by taking it out of context and leaving out some verses that would more directly apply, but his applications are not glaringly bad. He also refers readers to helpful websites for further information.

Though a few things, such as serving sizes of grains and glycemic load could be explained more clearly, this seems to be a good workable program. It can be used singly or with a group. -- Debbie W. Wilson, Christian Book Previews.com

Comments by famous Physical Trainer Jeremy Likness of Natural Physiques:

As part of the Christian Music Makeover, the label sent me a copy of the newly published book called "The Total Temple Makeover." You can visit the Makeover link to find it. I always crack open new weight loss books with a healthy dose of skepticism (ironic, albeit that I am an author myself in that genre) and wonder, what's the angle for this one? No carbs after 3pm? All sugar is evil? I was pleasantly surprised.
No, wait, I take that back. Blown away.

This is an AWESOME BOOK. I won't have the space to give it a proper review here, but I love it. Just what people need - a warm, from the heart, not overly complicated approach that focuses on the individual. It is founded in faith and relates how Christians can draw upon their faith to gather the courage to succeed at losing weight. This book is very up to date - he is aware of the glycemic load and not just the glycemic index, shares information about healthy fats and promotes exercise. I read the whole thing cover to cover in about 2 1/2 days, I was so excited. More powerful than the weight loss information was the information on how to grow in faith and share this with others. About the only nag I had was that avocados and dates were on his "avoid" list. Avocados IMHO (In My Humble Opinion) are one of the most nutritious, power-packed meals you can have and dates are just an awesome alternative for sugar cravings. Aside from that, a solid read - highly recommended to anyone interested. On that note ... Goodnight! Blessed be,
Jeremy Likness

The chapters of the book are actually each week of the 12-week plan. Here are the title's of each week:
Week 1: Transformation
Week 2: Charting the Path
Week 3: Your New Body
Week 4: Your New Mind
Week 5: Your New Spirit
Week 6: Staying the Course
Week 7: Food, Fitness, and the Father
Week 8: Living with Yourself
Week 9: Living with Others
Week 10: Living with God, Living with Hope!
Week 11: Reaping the Harvest
Week 12:Transformation-Reborn

We have just created this blog for Dr. Jantz's book, The Total Temple Makeover. Click on the 'About this Blog' link on the right to learn how you can share about this book and blog about your journey.