Press
Magazines
Guideposts, August 2013 - Meet the Bible B.A.B.E.S. by Barb Swanson
Twenty women sat at round tables inside the fellowship hall of my church that Monday evening, looking at me expectantly. Smiling, but I could see doubt flickering in their eyes. I knew what they were thinking:She’s going to teach us how to lose weight?
I couldn’t blame them. I was wondering the same thing. Where I’m from, we love God, music and food. All that food got to be a problem. I’d been a big girl—five feet eight and 130 pounds by sixth grade—and that number on the scale crept up as I got older.
I put on 25 pounds in high school, gained the freshman 15 (well, more like 20) in college. I married Dale and we had two children. Now the kids were in high school and I was still carrying the baby weight, despite trying every diet known to woman.
Even though I was wearing the most slimming outfit in my closet—black slacks and a long top—I knew it couldn’t hide those extra pounds. I felt totally exposed standing in front of these women who’d signed up for our new weight-loss group.
Read the full article here
Newspapers
"Indeed, some of the newer Christian weight-loss groups are preaching moderation in language that even spiritual seekers might find appealing:'God wants balance, and it's more than the size that you are. The key to the program is being really loving,' says Barb Swanson, co-founder of BABES (Beautiful, Accountable Babes Exercising Sensibly), a women's faith and diet group with chapters in more than 20 cities. 'We're not into sin and judgment. That'd make them afraid to come. These women already feel bad enough about themselves.' God might not care whether you're a size 6 or a 16, but contemplation, prayer and forgiveness can still serve as food for the dieter's soul. As you head to the table this Thanksgiving, be mindful of your choices — and take a pass on the extra helpings of fire-and-brimstone with your pie." - USA Today, March 2011 - by Christine B. Whelan
Read the full article here
The Daily Oklahoman
"Barb Swanson is familiar with the usual talk of new beginnings that often eases into conversations as each new year rolls around. In the past, the Edmond woman tried several times to lose weight, sometimes on specific dates such as Jan. 1. Eventually, every Monday became the "new beginning” she craved, but the good intentions didn't last long. Today Swanson is 45 pounds lighter and a self-described "babe." - by Carla Hinton
Television
The News On 6 - Tulsa, Oklahoma, August 2008
Watch video here
Websites
Faith-Based Diets: NSCA-CPT, CSCS, Fat Loss Coach
"One such group mentioned in the USA Today article is BABES - Beautiful Accountable Babes Exercising Sensibly. The mission of babes is “connecting with others to lose weight and build friendships.” Accountability. Exercising. Connecting with others. That all sounds pretty sensible to me! Moreover, according to BABES co-founder, Barb Swanson, “we are not into sin and judgement. God wants balance and it’s more than the size that you are.” - Tom Venuto
Indeed it is. As I have said before, body fat is not a person, it’s a temporary physical condition. What we really are is far more than physical bodies.
There’s enough guilt, fear and shame for people who are struggling with weight issues already. They don’t need any more negativity from their spiritual leaders. Instead, if you are a person of faith, use your spiritual community as a source of social support and inspiration, and motivate yourself by focusing on the positive and uplifting side. It will pay you eternal dividends."
Read the full article here
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
%20%5Boptimized%5D.jpg)
%20%5Boptimized%5D.jpg)
.svg)
.svg)
.jpg)
