Gentle Eating Author:Stephen Arterburn, Mary Ehemann, PH. D. Vivian Lamphear Stephen Arterburn and Vivian Lamphear know what it's like to be overweight and self-conscious. However, they also know what it is like to lose weight and keep it off--permanently. Their program, Gentle Eating , is a safe, effective method of weight loss that begins and ends with gradual lifestyle changes.