6 Years Into GLP-1s: What Maintenance Really Looks Like w/ Tara Rothenhoefer

Send us Fan Mail Tara Rothenhoefer was one of the earliest participants in a tirzepatide clinical trial, before the medication had a brand name. After a lifelong battle with obesity, she began the trial in 2020 at 342 pounds. Eighteen months later, she had lost 132 pounds. But when the study ended, she faced a year without medication, uncertainty around access, and the emotional work of learning how to live in a body she had never known before. In this episode, Tara shares what changed when food noise finally quieted, why medication alone was never the whole story, and how she learned that “more weight loss” is not always the goal. **IN THIS EPISODE** \- Tara’s lifelong experience with obesity, dieting, and weight stigma \- How a radio ad and a clinical-trial opening changed the course of her life \- What it was like to join an early tirzepatide trial with only a 25% chance of receiving the medication \- The role of nutrition support, movement, and gradual behavior change \- Losing 132 pounds in 18 months—and what happened when the trial ended \- Navigating medication access, shortages, judgment, and compounded medication \- Why the scale and clothing sizes can become a new kind of obsession \- Recognizing when continued weight loss was no longer healthy \- What long-term maintenance looks like after a major weight change \- Using medication as one tool in a broader, ongoing relationship with health **ABOUT THE GUEST** Tara Rothenhoefer is a wife, mom, and grandma who, after a lifelong battle with obesity, joined a clinical trial for tirzepatide in 2020 that led to her 222-pound weight loss. Featured on numerous national platforms, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, and the Tamron Hall show, she now shares her journey to encourage and inspire others, while navigating maintenance and living life in a small body for the first time ever. **CONNECT WITH TARA** TikTok and Instagram: @tacklingtara Links and resources: https://linktr.ee/tacklingtara **SPONSOR** Tyde Wellness — GLP-1 programs with licensed providers, real dosing adjustments, and long-term support http://tydewellness.com/GLP1Hub — code GLP1Hub50 for $50 off your first month **CHAPTERS** 00:00  From clinical trial to a 222-pound weight loss 01:11  Meet Tara Rothenhoefer 03:16  A lifelong battle with obesity and dieting 04:48  Finding the tirzepatide clinical trial 08:15  Taking a chance on an unknown medication 10:58  What the trial support looked like 13:56  Movement, nutrition support, and early results 16:54  Losing 132 pounds in 18 months 20:00  When the trial ended and medication access disappeared 29:00  Shortages, stigma, and public attention 35:11  When weight loss went too far 40:24  Long-term maintenance and listening to her body 43:03  Connecting with Tara **MORE FROM GLP-1 HUB** 📬 Get The Steady State, Ana's weekly newsletter with GLP-1 guidance from a dietitian who's on one: http://join.glp-1hub.com 🎙 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and if this episode helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🌐 Shop GLP-1 essentials, meal plans, and recipes: https://shop.glp-1hub.com 📷 Follow on Instagram: @glp1hub 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GLP-1hub *\*Some of the links shared are affiliate links. When you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the show.* \**The content of this show is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The goal of this show is to provide various points of view about GLP-1 Medications. The personal and professional opinion of the guests and their content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Ana Reisdorf or GLP-1 Hub.*