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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.


Finding Freedom Through Honest Self-Examination
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." — Psalm 139:23 (NIV) Have you ever wondered why certain situations seem to trigger the same reactions over and over again? Maybe you turn to food when you're frustrated, lonely, or disappointed. Or perhaps you struggle with resentment, fear, or the need to control things that are beyond your control. Sometimes we become so accustomed to our patterns of thinking and behaving that we don't even recognize

Julie Kleinhans
5 days ago1 min read


You Can Rest in God's Care
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Sometimes we carry burdens that God never intended us to carry alone. We worry about our families, our health, our finances, and things we cannot control. In the past, we may have turned to food for comfort when life felt overwhelming. But food cannot give us the lasting peace that comes from trusting God. Today, whatever is weighing on your heart, take it to Him in prayer. You don't have to have all

Julie Kleinhans
6 days ago1 min read


Progress, Not Perfection
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." — Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Recovery isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about continuing to move forward. Some days are easier than others. There will be challenges, disappointments, and times when things don't go as planned. But we don't have to give up when life gets difficult. We can learn from our mistakes, ask

Julie Kleinhans
Oct 281 min read


Step 3: Learning to Surrender and Trust God
Surrendering to God doesn't mean giving up. It means letting go of the belief that we have to manage everything on our own. When we struggle with overeating, we may try harder, make more rules, or promise ourselves that tomorrow will be different. But lasting recovery involves learning to trust God rather than relying entirely on our own willpower. Surrender is a daily choice. We seek God's guidance, follow our recovery plan, and trust Him with the things we cannot control. P

Julie Kleinhans
Oct 241 min read


Relying on God Instead of Willpower
What if you stopped trying to overcome overeating through willpower alone? Maybe you've tried countless diets, made promises to yourself, and prayed for the strength to stop overeating. Yet somehow, you keep falling back into the same habits. I know that struggle because I've been there, too. But here's something I've learned in recovery: God cares about every area of our lives, including our struggles with food. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I a

Julie Kleinhans
Oct 171 min read


Step Six - Ready to Change
Sometimes overeating isn’t really about the food. We may turn to food after an argument. When we’re resentful. When someone hurts us. When we’re afraid, disappointed, or feeling sorry for ourselves. That’s one reason Step Six is so important in recovery. By this point in the Steps, we’ve begun to recognize some of the patterns within us that contribute to our struggles—things like resentment, fear, self-pity, impatience, perfectionism, criticism, or pride. Step Six asks us to

Julie Kleinhans
Aug 221 min read


The Hidden Cost of Sugar
Sugar isn't harmless. Even for people who don't struggle with overeating, excessive sugar consumption has been linked to obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease, inflammation, heart disease, and mood disturbances. For those of us with a history of compulsive overeating, sugar can become much more than a treat—it can fuel cravings, obsession, and a cycle that is difficult to break. For years, I turned to food for comfort, celebration, stress relief, and escape. What I eventuall

Julie Kleinhans
Jul 61 min read


Step 11: Recovery Is More Than Food—It's a Relationship With God
Many of us spent years trying to change our eating through willpower alone, only to find ourselves discouraged and starting over again. Step Eleven reminds us that lasting recovery isn't simply about avoiding certain foods. It's about seeking a closer relationship with God. "Sought a personal relationship with God through daily time in His Word and in prayer asking God to be in our every thought, word, and action." When we begin our day in God's Word and stay connected to Him

Julie Kleinhans
Jul 41 min read


When Diets Don't Work... God's Word Does
When diets don't work, here's what works. Many of us have used food to cope with stress, worry, loneliness, or difficult emotions. While food may provide temporary comfort, it can't solve the problems underneath. The next time you're stressed, try pausing before you eat. Make a cup of tea, spend a few minutes in prayer, and open God's Word. God's Word can help where food can't. #ChristianWeightLoss #OvereatingRecovery #FoodFreedom #FaithBasedWeightLoss #ReshapeAndRecover

Julie Kleinhans
Jun 111 min read


Step 7 - Humbly Turning to God
🌟 Step 7: We Humbly Turn to God 🌟 One of the biggest mistakes many of us make is believing we can overcome overeating through sheer willpower. We promise ourselves we'll do better tomorrow. We'll be stronger next time. We'll finally get it right. But recovery isn't about becoming strong enough on our own. Step 7 reminds us that we cannot overcome sin and temptation on our own. We need God's help. Whether our struggle is overeating, emotional eating, dishonesty, pride, fear,

Julie Kleinhans
Jun 61 min read


The Photo I Never Turned In
Sometimes overeating costs us more than our health. Years ago, our church was putting together a church directory and families were invited to have professional photos taken. We had ours done, and the photographer did a good job. But when I saw the pictures, all I could see was my weight. At the time, I was nearly 100 pounds overweight. I hated how my face looked in the photos. The photographer kindly offered to adjust the lighting, but there was no changing the fact that I w

Julie Kleinhans
Jun 31 min read


When Life Hurts
When life hurts, food can start looking like a solution. Not because you're weak. Not because you don't know better. But because food is quick, familiar, and always available. The problem is that food can distract us from pain for a few minutes, but it can't heal it. God can. If you're going through a difficult season right now, don't carry it alone. Talk to God. Talk to someone you trust. Stay connected. Isolation and overeating often grow together. Healing usually begins wh

Julie Kleinhans
Jun 11 min read


Step 6: Becoming Willing
Step 6 isn't about becoming perfect. It's about becoming willing. Many of us can see the behaviors that keep us stuck—turning to food for comfort, holding onto resentment, making excuses, or trying to control everything ourselves. The challenge isn't always recognizing the problem. The challenge is becoming willing to let God change us. Sometimes we want freedom from the consequences, but we're not quite ready to surrender the habit itself. Step 6 invites us to open our hands

Julie Kleinhans
May 301 min read


Be Blessed and Joyful
Be blessed and joyful this weekend. Remember: food is important for good health, but it's not the main event. Enjoy the people, family, conversations, laughter, worship, rest, and simple moments God gives you. Basically, the point is… there is so much more to enjoy in life than food. Have a wonderful weekend! ❤️ #christianweightloss #overeatingrecovery #foodfreedom #faithandhealth #12steps #reshapeandrecover

Julie Kleinhans
May 291 min read


Memorial Day Blessings
Silhouette of soldier saluting the American flag and Bible verse John 15:13

Julie Kleinhans
May 251 min read


A Simple Weekend Plan for Freedom from Food Obsession
Weekends can feel challenging when you’re trying to stay on track with your eating. The routines change, temptations show up, and it’s easy to think, “I’ll just start over Monday.” But freedom often starts with a simple plan. One thing that has helped me so much is planning ahead: ✅ 3 meals a day ✅ Nothing in between ✅ Keeping it simple instead of constantly negotiating with myself around food Structure may sound restrictive at first, but honestly, it can bring so much peace

Julie Kleinhans
May 221 min read


Don't Give Up
Having a hard time sticking to a healthy way of eating? Don’t give up. It’s not always easy — but it’s worth it. You are worth it. 💛 It didn’t happen for me right away. I struggled for a couple of years before it finally stuck. But I kept showing up — and with God's help, I found freedom. 🙌 Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) reminds us: "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right

Julie Kleinhans
Apr 281 min read


Peace May Be the Answer You’re Looking For
You’ve been eating well. You’re staying on plan. But the scale won’t budge — and frustration is creeping in. Before you blame your willpower, consider this: What if it’s not your food… but your stress? When we live in constant go-mode, our cortisol levels rise — leading to cravings, fat storage (especially around the belly), poor sleep, and emotional eating. But God didn’t create us to live in survival mode. He created us for peace. ⏸️ Peace that restores. 📖 Peace that guard

Julie Kleinhans
Apr 171 min read


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
Jan 171 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
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