The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD

• Your Friday Five: Restarting GLP-1s Postpartum—What to Expect

  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 tackles a question many women quietly wonder about: “What should I expect if I restart Mounjaro after pregnancy and breastfeeding?”Whether you paused your GLP-1 for pregnancy, breastfeeding, or simply life circumstances, coming back to it after many months brings up a lot of unknowns. In this episode, I break down what typically happens, what we actually know from emerging research, and most importantly—why postpartum women need close, compassionate medical support.Inside the episode, we explore:1. What current guidelines say about GLP-1s, pregnancy, and breastfeedingThe traditional recommendation is stopping GLP-1s two months before trying to conceive and waiting until you’re done breastfeeding to restart. But I also share a recent small study looking at semaglutide and its transfer into breast milk—and what that means (and doesn’t mean) for real-life decisions.2. Why restarting after long-term use often looks differentIf you were previously on Mounjaro for 6–24 months, your body typically:tolerates the medication more easilycan often titrate up more quicklyexperiences fewer early side effects Some of this is physiologic, some behavioral—because you’ve already learned hydration, fiber strategies, and the day-after-injection do’s and don’ts.3. The postpartum period is the “fourth trimester”—and it changes everythingExhaustion, unpredictable schedules, stress, hormones, sleep deprivation… postpartum is not just a season. It’s a vulnerable season. This is why you should never “go cowboy alone” when restarting medication. A skilled clinician helps prevent:excessive restrictionmetabolic overwhelmworsening moodtipping into depression or anxietyextreme titration that backfires4. How ongoing support during pregnancy impacts your restartI share examples from my own clinic: Some women stay with me through pregnancy—not for weight loss, but for structure, nutrition support, and a stable relationship with food. Those women often find it much easier to restart postpartum because they never disconnected from caring for their bodies.5. The good news: most women feel relief when they restartOnce medically cleared and supported, many women say:their appetite becomes manageable againtheir mental load decreasestheir urges and cravings quiet downthey finally feel like they have helpAnd that’s the whole point: to feel supported, not stressed.If you’re in this season, I’m rooting for both your health and your baby’s health. Postpartum is not a time to go it alone, and you deserve expert guidance every step of the way.I hope this episode gives you clarity, comfort, 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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• Weight Cycling: The Metabolic Damage You Can't Ignore

  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. As the year wraps up, many people are about to lose coverage for their weight-loss medications… yet most have no plan for what happens next. That uncertainty alone can set the stage for weight cycling, and that’s where things get tough on your metabolic health. In this episode, I break down exactly what weight cycling does to your body, why planning ahead with your medical team is essential, and the steps you can take now to stay steady through coverage changes. If you're facing a coverage change or simply want to protect your metabolic health long-term, this episode gives you a clear path forward.Audio Stamps01:34 – Why weight cycling is harmful and the importance of planning ahead if you're losing medication coverage.02:20 – How calorie restriction triggers significant metabolic slowdown and why your body fights weight loss.03:55 – The real health consequences of weight cycling beyond just the number on the scale.06:35 – Why building muscle mass first can be more important than immediate weight loss for long-term success.07:39 – Strategies for transitioning between therapies to maintain metabolic stability and avoid weight regain.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: The Science Behind “Delay, Don’t Deny”

  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 brings you inside a phrase that’s been echoing through my mind lately: delay, don’t deny. (here is a video where I talk about this experience) It’s a simple strategy I’ve used for years in the clinic—and in my own life—but today I’m breaking down why it works and the science that makes it powerful.I tell the real-life story of walking past my favorite bakery, spotting the rare chocolate donut, and making a very intentional decision: Yes, I’m going to have it… but not yet.Inside this short episode, we explore:1. Why “delay, don’t deny” keeps your metabolism stablePutting protein + fiber into your system before a treat dramatically changes the blood sugar curve. A blunted rise = fewer cravings, fewer urges, and a calmer body afterward.2. How your hunger hormone reacts to restriction (this will surprise you)Research shows that even thinking you’re about to restrict increases ghrelin—the hormone that tells you you’re hungry. Translation: Telling yourself “I can’t have that” makes you want it more.3. Why this approach breaks the urge-driven eating cycleA pause—even 10–30 minutes—creates just enough space between the emotion and the action. You still have full permission to eat the food; it’s simply not dictating the timing.4. What balanced first meals look like in real lifeI walk you through exactly what I ate: spinach, cucumbers, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt with ranch, all tucked into little silicone molds. Nothing fancy—just quick, nourishing, and ready.5. How to create your own “fast-action foods” listThis part is crucial. A fridge list takes the guesswork out of what to reach for when you’re ravenous and tempted to go straight for the pantry. Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, fruit, veggies—simple staples that are always there to stabilize your system.If you ever find yourself walking through the door starving, tempted to eat whatever is closest, try this approach:Delay, don’t deny. Nourish first. Pause. Reassess. Then decide.Over time, this leads to totally different eating patterns—and a calmer, more predictable body.Have an amazing weekend. Let me know how “delay, don’t deny” goes for you.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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• Why Carbs Aren't the Enemy (And What Actually Matters for Blood Sugar) with Ben Tzeel, RD

  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. Struggling to find real, practical guidance for managing diabetes, even after meeting with healthcare providers? Most people walk away with generic meal plans, rigid carb rules, and very little clarity on how to actually live their life with stable blood sugars. That confusion often leads to overwhelm, restriction, and feeling like your entire world now revolves around food and numbers.In this episode, I sit down with Ben Tzeel RD, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for more than 26 years. Ben shares the real-world strategies no one talks about, the kind that genuinely help you understand your body, steady your blood sugars, enjoy your favorite foods (yes, even cake), and break free from overthinking every bite.You’ll learn how to pair meals in a way that supports your goals, use movement intentionally, improve insulin sensitivity, choose smarter snacks, and simplify your routine so diabetes fits into your life, not the other way around.ReferencesConnect with Ben:WebsiteInstagram: @manoftzeellTikTok: @manoftzeelProducts Mentioned:Legendary Foods pop tarts & sweet rolls // Crisp Power pretzels // Skinny Dips dark chocolate peanut butter cups // Rise Bars // RxSugar (allulose sweetener) // Quest protein bars // Devotion Nutrition protein powderOther Resources:Sweetphi blogAudio Stamps01:20 - Ben Tzeel RD shares his personal journey with Type 1 diabetes and how it led him to become a registered dietician and diabetes educator.03:55 - The first challenge most people face: making peace with carbs and avoiding restrictive thinking around food.05:17 - How to manage overwhelm after diagnosis: start simple with food journaling to build awareness.06:45 - Quick tips for high blood sugar and long-term nutritional strategies for stable glucose levels.12:10 - Common myths about blood sugar and carbs, plus understanding morning insulin resistance.19:20 - Ben's favorite balanced snacks that work for blood sugar management.27:20 - The truth about artificial sweeteners: which ones help, which ones to avoid.32:43 - Go-to 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 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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