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Step 11 is one of the most important steps for long-term recovery from overeating. Because the longer we stay focused on ourselves — our failures, our cravings, our weight, our willpower — the more discouraged we tend to become. And discouragement often leads us right back to the food. That’s why Step 11 is about intentionally shifting our focus back to Jesus each day through prayer and time in His Word. As I share in the Step Eleven chapter of my book, 12 Steps to Recovery f

Perseverance is key to overcoming food struggles. Psalm 42:5 says, “Put your hope in God.” This journey isn’t about being perfect—it’s about staying in the race, perseverance and trusting Him through every step. Every day is an opportunity to grow, even if you stumble. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, ask: What’s the next best choice I can make? 💬 What’s one small step you can take today toward healthier eating? Write it in your journal as a commitment to yourself. If you ne

Why Stress Makes You Crave Food (Cortisol Explained) What if you’re not actually hungry? What if it’s something else? Many times, what feels like hunger is actually stress. When we’re overwhelmed or afraid, our bodies release cortisol — a fight-or-flight hormone that can increase cravings and even signal the body to store fat. That means stress eating isn’t just about willpower… there’s a physical and emotional response happening. In this video, we talk about how stress affec

Maybe you don’t think so. Maybe you just want to lose a few pounds. Maybe you think the next diet will work… if you just try harder. Most experts say we should eat everything in moderation. Even desserts. “Go ahead — just keep it balanced.” But how has that been working for you? It didn’t work for me. I truly wanted moderation to work. But if I didn’t overeat today… I’d do it tomorrow. Then the next day. And the next. Did you know that eating just 200 extra calories a day can

Is your planning helpful, or are you trying to control the outcome? In recovery, planning is important — especially when certain foods trigger cravings and old patterns. But sometimes planning quietly shifts into trying to control everything. We plan every bite, every situation, every possible outcome… and instead of feeling peaceful, we feel anxious, pressured, and exhausted. Tony and I talk about this in our latest podcast episode — the difference between healthy, God-honor

Ever notice how discouraging it feels when the scale doesn’t budge? You’re trying. You’re praying. You’re making better choices. …And the number just sits there. But here’s something I’ve seen over and over again — in my own journey and with the people I walk alongside: Sometimes the scale is the last thing to change. Before the pounds move, other things start shifting: ✨ You stop eating past comfortable fullness ✨ You recover faster after a slip ✨ You pause and pray before t

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Steps 2 and 3 are all about trusting in God. He loves us so much! He is like a rock - solid and unmoving. He is never-changing and dependable. He has told us that He loves us and will always care for us. This is something we can count on forever because He never goes back on His Word. That does not mean we won't have hard times, but that He will be with us in those times to help us. Dear Lord, tha

So many people who struggle with overeating secretly believe this is just a willpower problem.  If we were stronger, more disciplined, more spiritual… we’d have it figured out by now. Step 2 gently challenges that lie. Step 2 reminds us that recovery isn’t about trying harder — it’s about trusting deeper. It’s about believing that God cares about this struggle and is able to help us with it. One line from this chapter says it so clearly: “We do not need to feel ashamed anymor

Sometimes what we call “hunger” isn’t physical hunger at all. It’s HALT: H — Hungry (real, physical need) A — Angry or Anxious L — Lonely T — Tired When we’re emotionally drained or spiritually empty, food can feel like the fastest comfort. But it never actually fixes the ache underneath. Only God can meet emotional and spiritual hunger in a lasting way. The next time the urge hits, try pausing — just say “no” to food for 10 minutes — and ask: “Lord, which one of these am I

I decided to stop eating — and that used to feel impossible. There was a time in my life when stopping mid-meal didn’t even feel like an option. Once I started eating, I felt driven to finish — even when I knew I would feel physically miserable afterward. Not because I was hungry. But because the food was there. Because I paid for it. Because I didn’t want to waste it. In this video, I share a small but powerful moment: I stopped eating before I felt sick. That may sound simp

Ever notice how food can feel louder than your faith some days? The cravings feel urgent. The stress feels heavy. It’s not that we don’t want to turn to God…it’s just that we forget. I’ve been there too. It never occurred to me to pray about it. I prayed for others, or for things I thought were more important. But God cares about our health and well-being too. It’s okay to pray for help to turn away from unhealthy food. The good news? You can learn a new way. Every time you p

Have you ever wanted to trust God… but trusting Him hasn’t felt safe? In this episode of the Reshape and Recover Podcast, Julie shares why trusting God can feel difficult when life has been painful, unpredictable, or filled with disappointment — even when you believe in Him. From childhood hurt to adult relationship struggles, she talks honestly about how fear can lead us to try to control outcomes… and how that often makes things worse. This episode offers Christ-centered en

For a long time, one of our members felt completely fixated on food. Thinking about it. Fighting cravings. Feeling frustrated after overeating… again. But when she joined Reshape and Recover, she told me something that stopped me in my tracks: “I don’t just want to stop obsessing about food. I want to grow my relationship with God. If I lose 20–30 pounds too, that would be great.” That’s the shift. 💛 Because real freedom isn’t just about eating less. It’s about needing food

“Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.” – Psalm 85:12 This verse is such a gentle reminder that God is the source of real, lasting good in our lives. Progress and growth don’t come only from our striving — they come from His blessing. When the soil is tended and aligned with Him, fruit comes in the right season. In recovery, it’s easy to focus only on effort — food plans, willpower, routines. Those things matter, but lasting change happen

I used to think I just needed more willpower. A better plan. A fresh start on Monday. A little more “self-control.” But Step 1 changed everything. Step 1 says we admit we’re powerless over certain foods and behaviors around food — and that our lives have become unmanageable because of it. That’s not weakness. That’s honesty. And honesty is where healing begins. For years, I told myself I could handle it. I’d try to eat “in moderation,” only to end up right back in the same cy

When I was about 10 years old, I got grounded (again) for sneaking off to buy candy. I can still picture it. I was sitting on the little hill at the edge of our driveway, watching my friends ride their bikes up and down the street… wishing I could go with them. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t allowed to leave the yard. Why? Because I had snuck up to “The Little Store” on the corner — about a block away — to buy candy. I wasn’t supposed to go there by myself because I had to cross a

This is a replica of me when I was about six years old. I actually have a picture almost identical to this but it's buried in a box somewhere. I was skinny, with a dark pixie haircut, standing in our driveway in suburban Minnesota with chocolate all over my mouth and half a candy bar still in my hand. I look happy. Carefree. Just a kid enjoying a sweet treat. But looking back now, I can see something I didn’t understand then. I had already developed a real (and unhealthy) lov

Perhaps your story is like mine once was. If you’ve been trying to do “all the right things” with food—watching portions, being disciplined, praying you could lose weight—and the scale still isn’t moving, this may resonate. Overeating and weight struggles aren’t just about food or willpower. They’re physical, emotional, and spiritual—and when one piece is missing, people often feel stuck and discouraged. I’m hosting a free, Christ-centered live webinar where we’ll talk honest

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) When we obey this directive, we keep our thoughts on Jesus and not ourselves and our wants. We feel better in mind, body and soul, and behave better too. We are also better able to stay away from our binge foods and eat healthier. It’s okay – and even encouraged – to ask for the strength to eat healthy. It can be helpful to pray “Lord Jesus, please help me to only eat food that adds to my health and stay away from unhealthy foo

You may think Step 12 means you have to be fully recovered before you can help anyone else. But that’s not how it works. Step 12 says that after experiencing a spiritual awakening, we carry the message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. That doesn’t mean perfection. It means progress. It means: • Sharing our stories honestly, not impressively • Pointing people to what helped you, not to yourself • Living the principles daily—especially when it’s incon