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My Blog
What I've discovered on my 90 pound weight loss journey through compulsive overeating and weight gain to 12-Step recovery since 2005. Navigating healthy eating can be tricky! Check out my tips and food tricks below. I've included some healthy recipes - please send your healthy recipe ideas to info@reshapeandrecover.com for posting consideration.


Step 11
Most people think recovery is just about “trying harder.” But if you’ve struggled with overeating long enough, you already know: Willpower runs out. Motivation fades. Cravings get loud. That’s why Step 11 matters so much. Because Step 11 isn’t about food first — it’s about connection first. When we build a daily habit of time with God (in His Word + prayer), we’re not just “being spiritual.” We’re re-centering our entire day around truth. And something powerful happens when w

Julie Kleinhans
7 days ago1 min read


Before You Quit...
If You Messed Up This Week, Read This Before You Quit If you’re ending this week thinking… “I blew it again.” “I had a good streak, and then I messed up.” “I’m back at square one.” I used to get so discouraged after a slip and give up thinking I failed again. Please hear this: You are not a failure. And you don’t have to quit. Shame loves the moment you want to quit — when those thoughts start saying: “You’ll never change.” “You’re too weak.” “God must be disappointed in you.

Julie Kleinhans
Jan 161 min read


Let Your Steadfast Love Be Upon Us
Have you ever done “all the right things” …and still felt pulled toward food? Here’s the truth most of us don’t hear enough: The struggle isn’t just about what we eat — it’s about what we’re trusting in. Because when stress hits…when emotions rise…when life feels heavy… food promises comfort. But it never delivers peace. 📖 “For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in You.” Psalm 33:21–22 (ES

Julie Kleinhans
Jan 151 min read


Control Can’t Give You Peace
Control can feel like the “responsible” thing to do. When life feels shaky, we make the lists… we work harder… we try to manage outcomes… and honestly? It can look wise from the outside. But there’s a difference between: ✅ planning and ❌ controlling Planning says: “I’ll do my part and trust God with the outcome.” Control says: “I have to make sure everything turns out okay.” Control is what we do when trust feels risky. But control doesn’t bring peace — it comes from fea

Julie Kleinhans
Jan 141 min read


Learning to Trust
Sometimes trusting God doesn’t feel safe. Not because God isn’t good… but because life has been hard. When you’ve been hurt by people… when things have been unpredictable… when you’ve watched Christians suffer too… it can be hard to believe: “Everything is going to be okay.” And if you’re someone who tries to control outcomes to avoid pain — I get it. I’ve been there. But here’s what I’m learning in recovery: trust isn’t pretending nothing will hurt. Trust is believing God wi

Julie Kleinhans
Jan 121 min read


Step Five: The Step That Breaks Your Isolation
For so many years, I struggled alone with my overeating. I thought it was up to me to eat in moderation. Maybe you’ve felt that too — the loneliness, the shame, the feeling that if people really knew you, they might pull away. But Step Five changes that. Step Five invites us to stop hiding and let God — and one trusted person — into the places we’d rather keep covered. It’s the moment we admit “the exact nature of our wrongs” to God, to ourselves, and to another human being.

Julie Kleinhans
Dec 6, 20251 min read


Step Four: The Step That Sets You Free
When I first worked Step Four, I was dreading all the extra work it would take to look at my resentments and fears. Plus, I didn’t think I had that many or that they really affected me much. As I worked through them though, with the help of a Fourth Step class and support group, I saw how much they affected my behavior and attitude. But this step isn’t about shame — it’s about healing. It’s about bringing things into the light so God can transform them. In my book 12 Ste

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 29, 20252 min read


Washed Clean
If you’re carrying shame or guilt today, I want you to hear this clearly: you don’t have to. One of the most beautiful truths of the gospel is that we are completely forgiven — of all things. Not partly forgiven. Not forgiven “as long as we never mess up again.” Not forgiven only if we earn it. Forgiven fully , because of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. For so many years, I lived with guilt that said, “You should be doing better. You should know better. You keep faili

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 28, 20251 min read


Deepening Our Connection with God for Recovery from Overeating
Ever have one of those days when you skip time with God… and everything feels harder? The stress hits fast. The cravings flare up. And suddenly you’re running on your own strength again. In this week’s Reshape and Recover Podcast , Tony and I talk about why Step 11 — prayer and meditation — isn’t just a “nice idea.” It’s the fuel for recovery from overeating. For years, I thought I was too busy for a morning quiet time. Work, kids, responsibilities… you’ve been there too. But

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 25, 20252 min read


How to Eat Healthy When You’re a Guest
Have you ever sat at someone else’s table, surrounded by delicious food… yet felt that quiet tug in your heart — knowing some of it isn’t part of your plan? You’re not alone. Staying committed to your recovery and health goals can feel especially challenging when food is part of the celebration. But just like Daniel at the king’s table, we can choose faith over pressure. In this week’s episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Tony and I talk about how to: 💛 Stand firm in

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 18, 20251 min read


Sunday Encouragement — Romans 12:1–2
Romans 12:1–2 “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” I love this passage so much. It reminds me that taking care of my body isn’t just about me— not about vanity, not about perfection, and not even only about health. It is an act of spiritu

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 16, 20251 min read


Step Two - Trusting God with Our Struggle with Food
Perhaps you are like I was… I believed in God. I trusted Him with the “big” things — my family, my health, my salvation, my future. But my struggle with overeating? I never prayed about that. It felt too small… too personal… too embarrassing… just not important enough to bother God with. I felt like He had bigger, more urgent prayers to answer. But here’s what I learned: God is so much bigger and loves us so much more than we could ever imagine! ♦ Scripture tells us that He r

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 15, 20252 min read


Why Rest Matters for Your Recovery and Well-Being
I have a tendency to keep working and not slow down. But on the weekends, I intentionally shift gears — worship, a couple of trips to the pool, and an evening out with my husband. Those moments remind me how important it is to rest, reconnect, and actually enjoy life. As we head into the weekend, I want to offer a gentle reminder I’ve had to learn myself: Rest is not laziness — it’s part of recovery. When we pause, we create space to hear God more clearly and make healthier c

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 14, 20251 min read


An Easy, Christian 10th Step Explained
What does a daily 10th Step actually look like? In this video, I walk through a simple, Christian approach to the 10th Step that helps you stay grounded, honest, and connected to God each day. I’ll share: • The evening questions I ask myself • How I use the Fruits of the Spirit • Why a morning routine reduces anxiety and overeating • How the SOAP method helps with devotional time If you’re in recovery and want a simple daily structure, this will help. 👉 Watch the video to se

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 13, 20251 min read


Spinach, Mushroom & Mozzarella Zucchini Boats
A simple, satisfying way to enjoy comfort food — without the guilt! These zucchini “boats” are filled with spinach, mushrooms, and melty mozzarella cheese — a light, low-carb dish that’s full of flavor and nutrients. They make a great main dish or pair perfectly with grilled chicken for a complete, protein-packed meal. 🍽️ It’s easy to fall into old patterns with food, especially when we’re tired or stressed. But meals like this remind us that healthy choices can still feel c

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 12, 20251 min read


Break Free from Old Eating Habits Through a New Heart 💛
Sometimes our hearts feel stubborn — like no matter how much we want to change, we keep going back to old eating habits. We promise ourselves it’ll be different, but somehow end up in the same cycle again. But God doesn’t just ask us to try harder — He offers us something better. In Ezekiel 36:26, He says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” This isn’t about more willpower — it’s about surrender. Real change begins when we let God do what only He can: t

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 11, 20251 min read


Confidential Conversations Unlock Hope and Healing
When we open up about our struggles — whether with food, emotions, or faith — we need a space that feels safe. 💛 It took me a while to open up to people in my group. I was afraid of being judged. But as I heard others share their own struggles, I realized I wasn’t alone. They understood what I was going through — and many were dealing with the same things I was. That’s what we offer inside Reshape and Recover: a Christ-centered community where you can share honestly, be unde

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 10, 20251 min read


Step One: The Beginning of Hope
When I first came to Overeaters Anonymous, I thought Step One was just about admitting I had a problem with food. But it’s more than that. True recovery begins when we recognize that this isn’t just a lack of willpower — it’s an addiction. For me, that addiction was to sugar and junk food. Until I believed that, I kept thinking I could manage it or “just eat a little.” I floundered for over two years before hearing Bill W’s story from Alcoholics Anonymous. As I listened, I re

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 8, 20251 min read


Start Your Weekend with a Grateful Heart
As the weekend begins, take a moment to pause and thank God for His goodness. Gratitude lifts our perspective — helping us see His hand in both the big moments and the little ones. We are so blessed! When we take time to notice even the little blessings in life, joy begins to grow. Writing out five things we’re grateful for can shift our focus away from the hard things that often drive us toward food for comfort. Every blessing is a reminder that God is near and faithful. Whe

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 7, 20251 min read


Is Food Addictive?
Yes — some food is very addictive! Have you ever promised yourself you’d stop eating certain foods… only to find yourself right back at them? You’re not alone. Studies show that sugar lights up the brain’s reward center much like addictive substances do — leaving us craving more and more. But it’s not just a physical addiction — it’s also psychological and spiritual. The food seems to fill a deeper need for comfort and love. That’s an emotional or spiritual hunger — but food

Julie Kleinhans
Nov 5, 20251 min read
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