The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD

• Your Friday Five: When Health Gains Meet Hair Fears

  Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. Hair loss is one of the most common fears people bring up when considering GLP-1 medications—especially women in menopause whose hair is already feeling thin, fragile, or vulnerable. This week’s Friday Five dives into the actual conversation you should be having before you make any decisions.In this short episode, I unpack why there is no one-size-fits-all answer to “Will I lose more hair?” and why it requires a real clinical evaluation. But more importantly, I walk you through the two essential steps anyone worried about hair loss should take.Here’s what we cover:Why the “risk vs. benefit” conversation matters more than the internet does Hair thinning is a real risk—and for some women, it’s a deeply emotional one. This isn’t superficial or silly. But the question to sit with is: Do the potential health benefits outweigh this risk for me?Why hair loss varies wildly Some people lose none. Some lose a lot. Some lose slowly and never notice. Others lose slowly and still see big changes. This variability is exactly why you can’t predict it without personalized care.Why dermatology needs to be part of the plan—GLP-1 or not If hair loss is already a concern, don’t wait. There are evidence-based treatments—oral, topical, supplement-based—but they need to fit your medical history. A dermatologist can get you started before you ever step on a GLP-1.How focusing too much on aesthetics steals your joy Loose skin, wrinkles, thinning hair—all part of the process of being human. But letting them take the wheel derails the bigger picture: your long-term health, your energy, your quality of life. We talk through why it matters to stay anchored to your North Star.Why you’re not meant to make these decisions alone So many people are trying to assess risk in isolation. Please don’t. Talk to your physician. Talk to a dermatologist. Build a real plan—not a fear-based one.If hair thinning is something you’re afraid of, this episode will ground you, normalize the concern, and give you a clear next step.See you Monday.All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com Health is the best gift you can give. Select ‘Give as a gift’ at checkout to share one of our programs with someone you love. Explore the details here.Support the show

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• The 3 Stages of GLP-1s: What to Expect and How to Adjust

  Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. If you’re on a GLP-1 medication, you’ve probably noticed your appetite, cravings, or progress shifting over time, and it can feel confusing or even a little scary. Most people assume they’re supposed to feel the same way the entire journey, so when hunger returns, appetite increases, or cravings pop up again, the panic sets in. Add in the highlight reel of social media (where everything looks effortless and perfectly controlled), and it’s no wonder so many people start to feel like they’re “failing” or doing something wrong.In this episode, I break down the three distinct phases nearly everyone on GLP-1s experiences and how to navigate each stage with confidence instead of fear. You'll learn the nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset strategies that make the biggest difference at each phase, so you can stop panicking and start problem-solving.ReferencesThe 3 Phases of a GLP-1 TikTok Video The Top 5 Mistakes That People Make on a GLP-1 Mini CourseClinician Social Accelerator CourseThe Obesity Guide: Full Podcast LibraryAudio Stamps00:30 – Dr. Rentea's viral TikTok on the three phases of GLP-1s went viral as people realized their experience isn't unique. 03:52 – Inside the April 2026 "Beyond the Scale" retreat: body image work, genetics, women's health, and hands-on nutrition workshops.08:58 – Overview of the three distinct phases on GLP-1 medications and what to expect in each one.09:20 – Phase One: Prioritizing nutrient-dense foods, not losing too quickly, and avoiding extreme suppression.13:15 – Phase Two: Adding volume-based eating back while maintaining protein, fiber, and fats.16:02 – Phase Three: Managing cravings with food ordering, balanced macros, sleep, and stress management.22:14 – Quick summary of all three phases and why finding an experienced medical team makes all the difference.All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com Health is the best gift you can give. Select ‘Give as a gift’ at checkout to share one of our programs with someone you love. Explore the details here.Support the show

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• Your Friday Five: When Life Gets Loud, Choose You First

  Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. This week’s Friday Five comes with a first in six years: I missed a podcast release. Not because I didn’t care… but because my life got full in a way even I couldn’t out-organize or out-hustle.Between conferences, continuing medical education (because apparently everything happens at the end of the year), and launching another program supporting women physicians, the perfect storm hit. And for the first time ever, an episode simply didn’t go out.And honestly? It needed to happen.This week’s short episode is a gentle, honest reminder of what becomes crystal clear when life is overloaded: your health must come first—before work, before deadlines, before dishes, before being everything to everyone.Inside this Friday Five, I share:Why I chose to skip the episode instead of skipping my health habitsThe signs my body gives me when I’ve pushed too farWhy “being busy” isn’t a badge of honor—it's a warning signHow to look at your calendar and see what you’re really prioritizingA grounded reminder that saying “no” is not selfish—it’s survivalIf you're moving through a season where life feels especially heavy or holiday-busy, this episode is your permission slip to pause, reevaluate, and protect what matters most.Your wellbeing is not optional. And the organizations you serve will never experience the consequences of your burnout—only you will.Take care of you first. I'll see you Monday.All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com Health is the best gift you can give. Select ‘Give as a gift’ at checkout to share one of our programs with someone you love. Explore the details here.Support the show

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• The Current of Addiction: Understanding Emotional Eating with Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hochman

  Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. Research shows that behavioral addictions, including emotional eating, can actually trigger stronger brain responses than hard drugs. Yet when people struggle with food, they’re so often told to “just have more discipline” or “try harder.” It’s no wonder so many of us feel stuck in shame and frustration.In this eye-opening conversation with psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hochman, creator of the Self Recovery program, we learn why emotional eating isn’t about willpower but about how we try to manage emotional pain. His science-based program, now recognized as one of the leading alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, helps people uncover the emotional roots of addiction and build real, lasting recovery.Tune in to hear Dr. Hochman’s “current of addiction” framework that helps people understand why they turn to food, how to reduce harm without restriction, and why building tolerance, not perfection, is the real key to freedom.ReferencesSelf Recovery's WebsiteQuiz: What's Your Readiness for Change?Dr. Hochman's InstagramDr. Hochman's LinkedInSelf Recovery Community on RedditAudio Stamps01:23 - Introduction of today's guest, psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hochman, and how he came to work in the area of addiction.02:53 - How do you define addiction in a medical sense versus something that's just a habit or a strong preference?06:39 - Definition of emotional eating and Dr. Hochman’s key strategies to work on it.13:10 - Practicing the art of tolerance to build strength against cravings18:05 - How to slow down the urge to emotionally eat.21:30 - Dealing with regression and shame when progress stalls.24:14 - Why it's worth seeking the right professional guidance for emotional eating.26:25 - How to work with Dr. Hochman via his clinical practice and Self Recovery program.All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com Health is the best gift you can give. Select ‘Give as a gift’ at checkout to share one of our programs with someone you love. Explore the details here.Support the show

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• Post-Surgery Weight Struggles: How GLP-1 Medications Can (and Can't) Help

  Send a Text Message. Please include your name and email so we can answer you! Please note, this does not subscribe you to our email list, it's just to answer if you have a questions for us. If you've had bariatric surgery, you already know what it means to commit fully to your health.  But even with your best efforts, bodies adapt, hormones shift, and life adds its own complications. When weight begins to creep back, many people turn to GLP-1 medications for support, and that raises a crucial question: How well do GLP-1s actually work after bariatric surgery?I recently heard from a listener living this exact experience — someone who lost more than 200 pounds after gastric bypass and has now started Zepbound to address weight regain. Her story opens the door to an important conversation about why GLP-1 medications can behave differently in a post-bariatric body, why results may not mirror those of someone without surgical history, and how to redefine success when you’ve already achieved a significant transformation.ReferencesThe Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain (Season 1)The Obesity Guide: Behind the Curtain (Season 2) - Includes access to the December 21-Day Challenge with daily coaching, actionable steps, and community support to end your year with momentum.Audio Stamps00:40 - Dr. Rentea shares a heartwarming reunion at the VA, reconnecting with former colleagues and reflecting on how far she's come in her weight loss journey.07:10 - Fan mail question: Does Zepbound (tirzepatide) work the same after gastric bypass surgery, and what weight loss results should you expect?09:11 - Why post-bariatric patients often respond better to GLP-1 medications and become "hyper responders" at lower doses.16:18 - Redefining success: why focusing on your relationship with food and sustainability matters more than hitting a specific weight loss percentage.17:48 - Common post-surgery pitfalls including grazing patterns, excessive step counting, and neglecting body composition tracking.20:42 - Information on the December 21-Day Challenge and upcoming 30/30 program rounds.All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com Health is the best gift you can give. Select ‘Give as a gift’ at checkout to share one of our programs with someone you love. Explore the details here.Support the show

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