Gwen Shamblin Lara was an American author and dietitian, best known for founding the Weigh Down Workshop, a faith-based weight loss program. She gained popularity in the 1990s for her approach that combined spiritual teachings with weight management, emphasizing the importance of faith in achieving personal goals. In addition to her work in weight loss, Lara was the founder of the Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. She authored several books, including "The Weigh Down Diet," which promoted her philosophy of using faith to overcome food addiction. Lara's life and work have been subjects of both praise and criticism.