The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD Matthea Rentea MD

While psychiatric medications can be essential for improving mental health, they often come with unwanted side effects, including weight gain. Historically, a lack of integration between psychiatrists and other healthcare providers has meant that the impact of these medications on weight has often been overlooked.

Today, I’m excited to bring Dr. Mark Novitsky (husband of Dr. Ali Novitsky!) into the conversation, who is board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry, adult psychiatry, and obesity medicine. Dr. Novitsky emphasizes a therapy-first approach and promotes healthy lifestyle choices for his patients, addressing issues like ADHD, anxiety, and depression through holistic strategies that include sleep habits, exercise, and nutrition.

In this episode, we'll be exploring the relationship between psychiatric medications and weight gain, common medications that may influence weight changes, the role of genetic testing in personalized treatment, and practical strategies for managing weight concerns associated with ADHD and psychiatric medications.


References

Novitsky MD Boutique Mind Doctors


The Fit Collective™


The 31 Days of Fit Program


Optimizing GLP-1 Weight Loss for High-Performing Women



Audio Stamps

01:13 - We hear about Dr. Mark Novitsky’s background and how he helps people.

09:44 - Dr. Novitsky shares some common antidepressant and antipsychotic medications that can cause weight gain due to increased appetite.

15:58 - Dr. Novitsky introduces the three pillars of health and digs into why exercise is crucial for overall mental and physical health.

19:35 - We discover strategies for improving sleep hygiene, which is key for improving your mental and physical well-being.

29:43 - Dr. Novitsky discusses how ADD and ADHD can impact someone’s relationship with food.



Quotes

“There are certain medications that we know of as practitioners that are going to result in more weight gain.” - Dr. Mark Novitsky

“The ones that tend to fix things quickest, the atypical antipsychotics, tend to cause some weight gain. The problem is, if I'm doing my job and fixing someone quickly in terms of the psych meds, then it might actually be pushing them in the wrong direction.” - Dr. Mark Novitsky

“Sometimes the path that isn't the quickest is the best.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“We can actually see a lot of the genes that are going to determine what type of emotional eating pattern people are going to follow.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“If you're not sleeping well, you don't want to go down that road of getting one of these other heavier duty sleep meds thrown your way because it's going to increase the appetite.” - Dr. Mark Novitsky

“You should be the captain of your team in terms of your mental health treatment and your obesity medicine treatment.” - Dr. Mark Novitsky


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

Menopause and the years leading up to it - perimenopause, are periods of significant change in a woman’s body. Working as a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how these hormonal changes can affect women, especially those struggling with weight.

Unfortunately, if you're in the obesity category and considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the lack of clear guidance and support. The crucial link between weight management, menopause, and HRT often gets overlooked, leaving many women at risk and unsure about their options for treatment.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia, who is triple board-certified in endocrinology, obesity medicine, and internal medicine and passionate about improving metabolic health in the community. Together, we discuss the significant physiological changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause, the benefits of HRT in improving insulin resistance and blood sugar control, and the intricate relationship between menopause, obesity, and heart health.


References

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

You Are Not Broken Podcast by Kelly Casperson MD

menopause.org

Reset/Recharge Podcast with Dr. Komal Patil-Sisodia



Audio Stamps

01:20 - Dr. Komal shares her background in endocrinology and how obtaining her obesity medicine board certification has helped her practice.

11:48 - We find out about the importance of being proactive when it comes to starting conversations around hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with a knowledgeable physician.

17:48 - Dr. Rentea and Dr. Komal emphasize the importance of seeking out healthcare providers who are knowledgeable and up-to-date about HRT and menopause management, and suggest questions to ask.

21:19 - We explore the benefits of HRT, such as improving insulin resistance and blood sugar control.

29:00 - We learn how menopause, obesity, and heart health are interconnected and Dr. Komal recommends safer HRT options to manage these health concerns effectively.



Quotes

“We are complex human beings. And what we know now and what we know through research may change five years from now. It's always important to be looking at the latest data and evolving your thought patterns as you move forward.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia

“You have to fix what you can about your environment as much as possible. And then at some point, your genetics will kick in and that's no fault of your own. That is literally what is encoded in your body. And at that point, if you've done all of the lifestyle things, it's okay to ask for help.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia

“As a medical community, for a long time we haven't shown women grace and we haven't shown patients who are struggling with obesity grace.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia

“Hormone replacement therapy should be available to all women, even those who are struggling with obesity.” - Dr. Patil-Sisodia


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

As anyone who struggles with weight management knows, it takes a lot more than waking up one day and deciding “it’s time to get healthy”. Our health is shaped by the countless small decisions we make each and every day and when we don’t see instant results, it can feel hard. But one of the key things that keeps me going? My love for my future self.
When you think of yourself in five years, what do you see? Do you see yourself still consumed by food, weight, and stress, missing out on life's joyful moments? Do you imagine a future filled with body hatred and isolation? My guess is this is not what it looks like when you are envisioning your future. Or at the very least, this is not what you want to see yourself like in the future.
But when you embody the future version of yourself who lives differently than you do today, you have such an opportunity to shape your reality. Join me today as we delve into the concept of your "future self" and discover how it can empower us to follow through on the actions that move us closer toward our goals.


Audio Stamps

00:40 - Dr. Rentea shares a key lesson from a recent business coaching call she was part of.

02:15 - Dr. Rentea explains the concept of your “future self”

04:30 - We hear how Dr. Rentea's vision of a healthier future self fuels her commitment to prioritize her health, even during challenging times.

07:00 - Dr. Rentea explains how the "bright spots theory" can help us tackle challenges by identifying other areas of our life which feel more effortless and energizing.

12:15 - Dr. Rentea encourages us to think about what is needed from us today to help us get the future self that we want. 



Quotes

“I have to constantly think about: ‘Who is it that I want to be? What do I want to become?’ And those things keep me going.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“If I want this future self to be in a better spot physically, it is going to require an element of consistency from me and having a plan and sticking to it.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“What are you in this moment going to follow through on and do, even if it's not the most appealing thing, even if you don't love it, even if it's not super exciting?” - Matthea Rentea MD

“You don't end up there overnight.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“You are often probably going to have to do things that you don't feel like doing.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“Future me - I love her enough and I want things badly enough for her that I'm going to do these things.” - 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 www.RenteaClinic.com

As humans, we thrive through connection. And when we embark on a journey to improve our metabolic health, I’m a strong believer that we need continual inspiration to guide us along the way and remind us that we’re all in this together. For me, a huge source of that inspiration has come from Angel Scheer, someone who I have followed for a long time on TikTok.

Angel has struggled with obesity and weight her entire life. And what I've observed over time since following Angel is the evolution of her approach to health—a journey marked by challenges and triumphs. Today, I'm excited to explore Angel’s story in-depth, offering insights into the realities of navigating weight management and metabolic health. Join our candid conversation, where we discuss Angel’s battles with obesity and fertility, and shed light on the importance of consistency, accountability, and tuning into your own body's cues.


References

Chasing Cupcakes: How One Broke, Fat Girl Transformed Her Life by Elizabeth Benton 


Connect with Angel:
Instagram
TikTok



Audio Stamps

01:35 - Dr. Rentea’s guest Angel gives us some background into her struggles with weight loss, fertility, and why she chose to share her weight management story online.

07:07 - Angel talks about how consistent routines and accountability have played a part in her journey.

11:26 - Dr. Rentea asks what Angel has to tell herself to make sure she takes action, even when she doesn’t feel like it.

15:06 - Dr. Rentea summarizes three key ways to ensure you keep taking action to move closer toward your goals.

17:05 - Angel shares the advice she would give the past version of herself that really struggled to make progress on her weight management journey.

22:04 - We hear how Angel transitioned from focusing on counting calories to emphasizing protein intake, especially after starting medication.

23:40 - Angel discusses some of the non-scale victories that she has been proud of along the way.

29:53 - We hear Angel’s final tips for anyone who is starting or struggling with their weight management journey.



Quotes

“The reality is you sometimes have to listen to where you're at.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“It's almost like it's acceptable to put ourselves down when we would just never do that with friends or anyone else.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“You're worth it. And it might not be as hard as you think.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“No one would ever choose to struggle with this.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“One of the biggest things that I have come to love about this journey is that I'm able to handle the stress in my life a lot better than I was before.”  - Angel


“No one else is doing this for me. I'm the only one who can do this and I'm worth it.“ - Angel


“It's a practice to talk differently to yourself. It doesn't happen overnight.” - 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 www.RenteaClinic.com

Feeling extra hungry lately and not sure why? After recently transitioning from Wegovy to ZepBound, I noticed a significant increase in appetite. But whether or not you've changed medications, there are a whole bunch of factors that could be contributing to increased hunger pangs.
But instead of hitting the panic button when hunger strikes, remember that tough times in your health journey are the perfect opportunity to put on your detective hat and uncover the root cause. Join me today as we delve into what might be causing a surge in hunger levels and discover four practical ways to manage it effectively.



References

Join my email list


Optimizing Fat Loss and Maintaining Muscle on a GLP 1 Mini-Course


Follow me on Tiktok


Audio Stamps

01:02 - Dr. Rentea shares her recent transition from Wegovy to ZepBound and how this has affected her physical hunger levels.


06:00 - Dr. Rentea walks us through her checklist of potential factors contributing to increased hunger levels.


10:47 - We hear Dr. Rentea’s first practical step for dealing with increased hunger levels: Looking at your water, protein, and fiber intake.


14:22 - We find out how processed foods can impact hunger levels.


15:30 - Dr. Rentea discusses how sleep can play an important role with increased appetite.


19:53 - We learn why more is not necessarily better when it comes to our health.


22:00 - We hear a summary of how these steps have impacted Dr. Rentea’s own experience with increased hunger levels.



Quotes

“Exercise can increase your appetite and there are certain types that are going to affect people differently.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“Ghrelin is the hunger hormone that says, ‘you're hungry, start eating!’ Why would ghrelin go up? Ghrelin is going to go up if you fast for long times. Ghrelin will also go up if you are sleep deprived and if stress is up.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“If I want to be less hungry, then I'm going to need nutritious foods that still have their hydration intact, that are giving me the protein and fiber, that are giving me the micronutrients that I need. And oftentimes the processed stuff just isn't doing that.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“Look at your sleep quality and ask, ‘Is there anything getting in the way?’” - Matthea Rentea MD


“A lot of us always think more is better. We think that it's going to get us further. We're going to lose weight faster. We're going to put on muscle better, all those things. And it's actually not been true for me.” - Matthea Rentea MD


“When times feel hard, you've got to be a detective.” - 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 www.RenteaClinic.com

When people start working on their health, one of the first things they usually want to know is: what is the best nutrition plan? But when it comes to the “best” nutrition plan for you, it really hinges on your own personal health goals. What are you actually trying to get out of the changes that you're making?

For the purpose of today’s episode, we’re going to be focusing on what kind of nutrition plan could be best for losing body fat. Drawing from both clinical observations and key research findings, we'll look at how to optimize your macronutrient intake to support your fat loss goals and ensure they align with your lifestyle for sustainable success.


References


Optimizing Fat Loss and Maintaining Muscle on a GLP 1 Mini-Course



Audio Stamps


01:29 -  Dr. Rentea explains why you need to be very clear on what your health goal is before looking into the best nutrition plan for you.

03:18 - Dr. Rentea discusses findings from a JAMA study on four different diets (including keto) and their impact on long-term weight management.

06:28 - We learn why Dr. Rentea suggests an 'add don't subtract' approach to nutrition, emphasizing personalized adjustments over strict meal plans.

09:55 - We find out about the role of increasing protein and fiber intake to support sustainable weight management, including practical strategies to incorporate these nutrients into your diet.

15:43 - Dr. Rentea summarizes the two most important aspects of a sustainable nutrition plan to achieve long term fat loss.

20:30 - Hear some of Dr. Rentea’s favorite products right now, including a coffee concentrate brand!



Quotes


“You need to get really clear on what you are actually trying to get out of the changes that you're making.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“I'm not ever here to tell you that a plan is good or bad. It's really ultimately about what you can stick with long term.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“Number one, you need to know what your actual goals for nutrition are. And then number two, the path you pick needs to be sustainable.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“There are actually tons of people that can make a lifestyle work where they're going out to eat often or where they're getting lots of prepared foods.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“No matter what your world looks like, you can make it happen.” - Matthea Rentea MD

“You just stay in your own lane. Because most people that are doing this whole extreme keto thing, they're not sticking with it for over a year. And then they're right back to where they started and they feel even more defeated because they didn't learn anything about themselves, about nutrition, about sustainability.” - 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 www.RenteaClinic.com