The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD

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 http://www.RenteaClinic.com

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Nov 2, 2026 36 min

Weight Loss Plateau? What to Check Before You Blame Yourself

Season 1, Episode 196

Show notes

Doing everything “right” but the scale still won’t budge?

Before you slash more calories, double down on workouts, or blame yourself, let’s talk. Because there could be a lot more going on behind the scenes than you think.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why trying harder isn't always the answer. I share 3 reasons your weight loss might have stalled, and what to look at next so you can stop guessing and beating yourself up, and actually move forward.

References

NEW: The Next Chapter, a small-group January program to help you set a goal and actually make it happen. Spots are limited and registration closes October 30 -Click here to save your spot

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Oct 26, 2026 13 min

The Sleep Mistakes Keeping You Exhausted (and How to Fix Them) with Sleep Physician Dr. Akudo Anokwute

Season 1, Episode 195

Show notes

Getting eight hours of sleep but still waking up exhausted? Maybe you’ve tried magnesium, going to bed earlier, even banishing your snoring partner to the spare room (yep, that’s officially called a “sleep divorce”). And you’re still tired.

Turns out, some of your best efforts to sleep better might actually be making things worse.

In this episode, sleep physician Dr. Akudo Anokwute explains why going to bed earlier can backfire, the sleep position that could be sabotaging your rest, and the sneaky signs of sleep apnea, especially in women.

We also talk about why waking up at 3 a.m. during menopause isn’t something you just have to live with. Plus, Dr. Anokwute gives her verdict on popular sleep trends including mouth taping, magnesium, sleep scores, and more.

References

EP. 168. Tired, Hungry, and Stuck? How Poor Sleep Affects Hormones, Cravings, and Weight Loss with Dr. Funke Afolabi-Brown

NEW: The Next Chapter, a small-group January program to help you set a goal and actually make it happen. Spots are limited and registration closes October 30 -Click here to save your spot

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

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Oct 19, 2026 29 min

Are You Eating Too Fast? Here's What It's Doing to Your Fullness

Season 1, Episode 194

Show notes

We spend so much time talking about what to eat… protein, fiber, portions, healthy choices… that we can overlook how we’re eating.

When you’re rushing through lunch, eating over your laptop, or distracted by your phone, your body may not have time to catch up.

In this episode, we’re talking about one surprisingly simple habit that can change the whole experience: slowing down.

We’ll get into what happens when food hits your mouth, why fullness builds gradually, and how eating more slowly can help you notice that sweet spot between hungry and okay, I definitely overdid it.

References

Coco wyo advent calendar- here is the video where I show what it is. If the link to purchase isn’t there it has sold out. You can check back as sometimes they re-stock.

Escape Room Advent Calendar (24 days of puzzles)

NEW: The Next Chapter, a small-group January program to help you set a goal and actually make it happen. Spots are limited and registration closes October 30 -Click here to save your spot

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

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Oct 12, 2026 19 min

Push Through or Pivot? Making Smarter Decisions About Your Weight Loss Goals

Season 1, Episode 193

Show notes

Not every hard season means you should quit. But not every goal deserves endless effort either.

So how do you know when you’re in a tough stretch that’s worth pushing through… and when it might actually be time to change course?

That frustrating middle is what Seth Godin calls “the dip”: the point where progress slows, motivation wobbles, and you start wondering whether you’re doing the right thing at all.

The good news? You don’t have to rely on willpower, guilt, or endless second-guessing. In this episode, I’m sharing a simple framework for knowing when to push through, when to adjust, and when it may be time to let a goal go.

References

NEW: The Next Chapter, a small-group January program to help you set a goal and actually make it happen. Spots are limited and registration closes October 30 -Click here to save your spot

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Oct 5, 2026 15 min

Introducing The Next Chapter: Making Space for a Life That Supports You

Show notes

Sign up for The Next Chapter HERE. Registration closes Oct 30th.

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

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Oct 1, 2026 21 min

How to Start Strength Training at Any Age with Elaine

Season 1, Episode 192

Show notes

Elaine is 76, works out twice a week…and still hates exercise. So why does she never want to miss a session?

In this episode, we talk about what changed when Elaine stopped chasing a certain look and started chasing strength instead. From knee replacements and lipedema to feeling stronger, steadier, and more independent, this is a refreshingly honest conversation about movement, aging, and why you don’t have to love the workout to love what it gives you.

References

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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Sep 28, 2026 26 min

The $40 Billion Electrolyte Trend: Do You Actually Need Them?

Season 1, Episode 191

Show notes

Electrolyte packets are everywhere right now. But just because they’ve become part of the wellness uniform, does that mean they’re actually helping your body… or are you just adding a lot more sodium than you realize?

In this episode, I react to a physician’s take on the electrolyte craze and break down what’s really inside those trendy packets. We’ll look at why most people probably don’t need them every day, and how “healthy” habits can quietly stack up in ways you may not expect.

I’ll also explain when electrolytes do make sense, and why the “boring basics” like water, whole foods, movement, and managing stress still do far more heavy lifting than the latest wellness product.

References

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Sep 21, 2026 14 min

Why Your Brain Is Wired to Crave (And How to Retrain It) with Dr. Glenn Livingston

Season 1, Episode 190

Show notes

What if the voice telling you, “Just have one… you deserve it… start again tomorrow” isn’t really you at all?

Clinical psychologist Dr. Glenn Livingston calls it the “Food Monster”: a radically different way to understand cravings and that feeling of being hijacked by food. After nearly 20 years battling overeating himself, he realized that understanding why he ate wasn’t the same as changing the behavior.

Instead of seeing cravings as proof you’re weak or lack willpower, Glenn reframes them as a survival response. One that can be interrupted and retrained, so you can stop fighting yourself every time a craving hits.

Once you hear cravings explained this way, you won’t be able to unhear it.

References

https://defeatyourcravings.com/

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

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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.

Sep 14, 2026 54 min

No Appetite on a GLP-1? What to Eat When Nothing Sounds Good

Season 1, Episode 189

Show notes

What do you do when your GLP-1 turns your appetite all the way down, and even your favorite foods get a big "meh"?

It might feel like a win at first. But if you're barely eating, your energy, strength, mood, and nutrition can start paying the price.

In this episode, we talk about how to make eating easier when hunger disappears: simple go-to foods, less decision-making, flexible meal timing, and how to make sure a low appetite doesn’t turn into under-fueling.

References

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Sep 7, 2026 17 min

How to Break a Weight Loss Plateau (Without Restricting More)

Season 1, Episode 188

Show notes

Hit a wall on your weight loss journey? That's not failure.

We treat plateaus like something's broken. When the scale stalls, suddenly we're questioning everything: the medication, our metabolism, our willpower. But they're actually just your body doing exactly what it's supposed to do: adjusting, stabilizing, and catching its breath before it keeps going.

In this episode, I break down how to tell a real stall from just needing more patience, why the number on the scale isn't the whole story, and the single most helpful thing you can do about it (no, it's not "try harder").

If you're in that frustrating in-between right now, this one's for you!

References

Salud horchata electrolyte drink

Ep. 183: Weight Loss Plateau or Treatment Problem? How to Tell the Difference

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

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Aug 31, 2026 22 min

2 Simple Ways to Improve Morning Insulin Resistance

Season 1, Episode 187

Show notes

Is your breakfast making mornings harder than they need to be?

You eat well, you move your body, you’re doing all the “right” things… so why is your blood sugar still higher in the morning? There’s a natural hormonal shift happening when you wake up that can make blood sugar harder to manage, especially if you’re insulin resistant or post-menopausal.

In this episode, I break down the physiology behind it and share two simple, practical changes that can make a real difference.

References

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Aug 24, 2026 10 min

Why Stepping Back Might Be the Best Thing You Do for Your Health This Year

Season 1, Episode 186

Show notes

When was the last time you slowed down long enough to just... think?

Most of us move from one task to the next, filling every quiet moment with work, scrolling, or chores around the house. We stay so busy we never stop to ask: what do I actually want right now?

In this episode, I share how a week of stepping away gave me unexpected clarity about my health, my fitness, my business, and the person I want to become. We'll talk about why rest can feel so uncomfortable, how constant productivity keeps us disconnected from ourselves, and why doing less might be the first step toward real change.

References

Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy: The Simple Art of Taking Back Your Life by Matthew Kelly

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Aug 17, 2026 25 min

How to Rewire Your Cravings: Physiology, Habits, and the Thoughts That Help

Season 1, Episode 185

Show notes

Have you ever found yourself negotiating with a pint of ice cream at 9 p.m., even though you ate dinner just two hours ago?

You tell yourself you’ll have “just one bite.” Then maybe one more. Suddenly, you’re standing in front of the freezer wondering why this feels so hard.

Cravings aren’t simply a willpower problem. Blood sugar swings, stress, poor sleep, old habits, and an overly convenient pantry can all make certain foods feel almost impossible to ignore.

But you can learn to pause, understand what’s driving the urge, and respond without shame or rigid food rules. In this episode, I'm sharing the strategies I journaled about back in 2020 when I was working through my own urges and cravings, which I still use today.

References

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Aug 10, 2026 19 min

You're Not Lazy: How Undiagnosed ADHD Could Be Derailing Your Health Goals with Dr. Ida Salusky

Season 1, Episode 184

Show notes

You've spent years believing you're undisciplined, inconsistent, bad at adulting. But what if you've been white-knuckling undiagnosed ADHD this whole time?

More than half of my clinic has some form of attention deficit, and I see the impact on health every day: the routine slips, appointments get missed, workouts fall off, and healthy habits never quite stick. Then comes the shame: Why can’t I just get it together?

In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Ida Salusky explains how executive function and undiagnosed ADHD can derail your health goals, especially for women who’ve spent years being told they’re “not trying hard enough.” You’ll learn why consistency can feel so difficult, and how to start working with your brain instead of against it.

References

Dr. Salusky's practice website

PSYPACT map link

Want the complete resource list? Dr. Salusky's recommended books, podcasts & websites are all found on the blog here.

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Aug 3, 2026 37 min

Weight Loss Plateau or Treatment Problem? How to Tell the Difference

Season 1, Episode 183

Show notes

The scale has stopped moving, and you're already spiraling: Has my medication stopped working? Should I switch things up? Am I doing something wrong?

Panicking and changing everything is often the worst move you can make. But how do you know when a stall is just your body doing its thing versus a sign that your treatment actually needs adjusting?

In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between a normal plateau and a true treatment problem. You'll learn the questions to ask beyond the scale, which red flags actually warrant a change, and my golden rule for knowing when the struggle has crossed the line.

References

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Jul 27, 2026 16 min

Stick to the Plan, Not Your Mood: Building Healthy Habits That Survive a Bad Week

Season 1, Episode 182

Show notes

That 45-minute workout plan feels completely doable when you’re making it on a Sunday. Same with the meal prep, the protein goals, the whole “this is the week I get it together” plan. And then Tuesday hits…

Your sleep is off, work is a lot, someone in the house gets sick, and suddenly the routine that looked so reasonable a few days ago has completely crumbled. Then comes the “why can’t I stick with anything?” feeling that you failed.

But what if the plan was just never built to survive a hard week?

In this episode, we’re talking about why the health routines that look best on paper often fall apart the second life gets messy. Plus, we’ll get into the “survival test” every routine needs to pass, and how to make the healthy choice the easy choice before your mood has a chance to talk you out of it.

References

Amy’s Kitchen

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Jul 20, 2026 14 min

Finding Your Floor: How to Maintain Healthy Habits in a Busy Season

Season 1, Episode 181

Show notes

You know you should move your body, eat well, and take care of yourself… but what happens when life is so busy that even the basics feel impossible?

In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie, the creator behind @pump.med and a medical student who knows exactly what it’s like to protect your health in a high-pressure season. We talk about why perfection is not the goal, how to find your “floor” with fitness, how to simplify meals without overthinking everything, and why your mental, social, and creative wellbeing matter just as much as protein and steps.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, off track, or stuck in an all-or-nothing mindset, this conversation will help you make healthy living feel doable again.

References

Food chopper

Connect with Maggie:

Instagram: @pump.med

TikTok: @pump.med_

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Jul 13, 2026 44 min

"I Feel Like I've Been Teleported Into Someone Else's Body": Adjusting After Body Change

Season 1, Episode 180

Show notes

What happens when your body changes, but your brain hasn’t caught up yet?

A listener wrote in after skin removal surgery and said, “I feel like I’ve been teleported into someone else’s body.” Honestly, I don’t think there’s a better way to describe it.

In this episode, I’m talking about the messy middle of body change: healing, swelling, cravings, food noise, new clothes, scale spirals, and that uncomfortable feeling of not quite feeling like yourself yet.

We’ll talk about why your body isn’t betraying you, why healing can feel so unsettling, and how to meet yourself with less panic and more curiosity.

References

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.

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.

Jul 6, 2026 25 min

Social Media, Comparison, and Weight Loss: Protecting Your Mental Health Online with Schnelle Acevedo

Season 1, Episode 179

Show notes

You open your phone for a quick break, and somehow 30 minutes disappear…

By the time you put it down, you feel overwhelmed, behind, and worse about yourself. In the weight loss space, every scroll can bring another dramatic before-and-after, “this changed everything” claim, or account promising to have the answer.

So how do you know when your phone use has become a real problem? And how do you take back control without disappearing from the internet completely?

In this episode, I’m joined by Schnelle Acevedo (known online as Glam Nellie), a digital literacy educator who teaches healthier screen habits. We talk about the hidden cost of scrolling, simple tools to cut back, and red flags to watch for online, especially in the GLP-1 and weight loss space.

References

Connect with Schnelle Acevado (Glam Nellie):

BAM Digital Media

Instagram

TikTok

Secure your spot for the September round of The 30/30 Program now (spaces limited).

Join The Next Chapter, a five-month experience to make space for your health, work toward a meaningful goal, and have some fun along the way—get the details and enroll hereby October 30th.

Not Sure Where to Start With the Podcast? I’ve Got You.

Get my free Podcast Roadmap—a simple guide to help you find the episodes that matter most to your journey. Whether you're on GLP-1s, navigating plateaus, or just starting out, there's something here for you.