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One Of The First Tirzepatide Trial Patients: Six Years and 220lbs Down on GLP- 1

GLP-1 Hub

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What happens when a GLP-1 trial ends? Tara Rothenhoefer was one of the early participants in a tirzepatide clinical trial—before Mounjaro had a name. She lost 132 pounds during the 18-month study, then had to navigate a year without medication, public stigma, medication access, and learning how to maintain her health in a body she had never known before.

Registered dietitian Ana Reisdorf sits down with Tara to discuss what it was like to join an early tirzepatide trial, when food noise finally quieted, and why long-term GLP-1 care is about much more than the number on the scale. They also talk about the emotional side of major weight loss, knowing when weight loss has gone too far, and what real-life maintenance can look like.

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Tara Rothenhoefer → https://linktr.ee/tacklingtara
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⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00 One of the first tirzepatide trial participants
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 clinical 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

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⚠️ This channel is educational and not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before changing medications, diet, or exercise.

#GLP1 #Tirzepatide #GLP1Maintenance #mounjaro #zepbound #wegovy #ozempic #retatrutide #foundayoG

20 Comments

@katttttttpaige 1 month ago

I have been on compound Tirz for five weeks now. I am down 12lbs but it’s so much more than that. For the first time in my life I am not consumed with thoughts of eating. I used to daydream about food all day long. I would stop by the drive thru on the way home because I couldn’t wait to make dinner to eat. I would diet and get healthy but I spent 24/7 fighting my food addiction. Nobody on my dad’s side lives to see 60. I am 33 and my health started to catch up. For the first time in my life I see real hope about not being obese forever. I’ve been obese since preschool.

@MistyBlanchard-t6r 1 month ago

Girl!!!!!! You are a hero for doing the ground work for the rest of us on glp1

@lindag4484 2 months ago

Wow! Tara's clinical trial experience defines: If was meant to be, it will be. Tara's description of the first time the 'food noise switch' turned off is the amazing feature of this medication. I think of it as a constant companion, in my brain, keeping me sane about food. The devil vs angel, on your shoulder, is exactly it. Tirzepatide is the angel, winning every time. I don't ever want that angel to go away. This has to be a lifetime medication. It needs to become more available, at a reasonable cost, for all who need it. 🏅Best interview!

@Sue.RadleyBell 2 months ago

All my life I didn’t want anyone to have to live the life I lived but her journey is almost exactly like mine…prior to the trial. I’m 63 years old and my mom took me to my first WW meeting at the age of 7. I began my shot last April at 294 lbs. I’m currently at 205 and have been going up and down 5 pounds for the last 2 months. I’m so close to 199 that I can taste it (no pun intended) but it just remains an inch out of reach. I’m not quitting! I’m doing my part, the medicine will kick back in…I’m sure of it. What an inspiration to keep going.

@elaineedwards2530 2 months ago

Thank you, Tara, for forging the way for all of us behind you. Knowing you are thriving 6 years later is such a positive and encouraging thing to hear. I'll be you in 6 years !!

@sky1watcher243 2 months ago

When she said she realized she hadn’t even eaten breakfast - made me tear up ! It’s been almost a year and I’m down 64 lbs trying to get into the bridge program and basically close to goal but that difference not thinking about food was amazing !.

@oms-muc 2 months ago

I am in the Maritide Phase 3 study, excellent progress. Switching in March 2027 to weight and health management with quarterly injection, after losing 30kg in 50 weeks.
Started walking in January with 10.000 steps, now 3 month in gym.

@divinediva_ 2 months ago

This was a fantastic interview and I will definitely listen again in the car. This is probably one of the most honest and relatable interviews I've heard from the GLP1 community.

@mrsgme3027 4 weeks ago

I've been on Zepbound since April this year and have lost 50 lbs. I am also a gastric bypass patient (2002). I kept the weight off after my surgery for over 10 years and it started creeping up. I tried Phentermine and that didn't do much. This year, I asked my primary physician about it, insurance approved it and I was on my way. I am taking 5 mg and the constant hunger has stopped. This is a great tool to help me follow the gastric bypass rules.

@susanfenwick734 2 months ago

The quiet mind is priceless. So true! I also didn't know it was even possible not to be thinking about food all the time until I wasn't. It's just the biggest gift of all. Wonderful interview. Bravo to both of you, thank you for this conversation

@meeesaaahhh 4 weeks ago (edited)

In 3rd grade I weighed 133 pounds and in my second year of college I was at 138lbs. People will never understand how hard that battle was. I got sick with an autoimmune problem and was put on a ton of prednisone and within two months I gained 40 pounds. I have never been able to get it off. I am now 38 years old and I weigh almost 200 pounds. I’ve completely given up on dieting because my body weight only changes a few pounds depending on the diet, but the stress and the battle I have to go through to even lose those few pounds is so ridiculously hard and consumes me completely. Food never leaves my mind, especially when I know I’m being restricted from it.

@ddc2343d 2 weeks ago (edited)

Sounds like me. I did WW with my mom when I was 14. My weight really ballooned in my 30s and 40s. I’ve been on Wegovy for 9 months, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It took about 3 months for the meds to really kick in, but once they did, wow. I’m in a few weight loss groups on Facebook, and it’s crazy how much shaming goes on among people trying to lose weight with these drugs.

@thomasreedy4751 2 months ago (edited)

Wow … Tara should be on Lilly’s Rolodex and she should absolutely be given free maintenance doses for life.

Honestly, there should be a law that says if you are going to take the risk of a clinical trial, you deserve at minimum post trial access.

They’re likely paying millions for advertising and she is giving it away for free …

@barbaratantrum1715 1 month ago

I was one of the first ones on Mounjaro after it came out commercially - I was the first one my doctor prescribed it for. I've lost half my body weight. Thanks for pioneering it for us! It's an amazing medication.

@melodymckinstrie1950 4 days ago

Tara is an amazing role model. Thank you for sharing your story.

@BuffSnelda 1 month ago (edited)

I’ve had debilitating IBS-D for the past 10 years. I started on tirzepatide last year and no more diarrhea!! I was having 12-15 BMs daily, now it’s only 2-3 times a day. It’s a miracle! And I’ve lost 22 pounds. I’m so happy I found GLP-1 meds.

@bernicefoster2122 4 days ago

I love this video and her story. Thank you for sharing!

@toomignon 11 days ago (edited)

I have RA and on biologics (I was on the 2nd phase 3 trial for Humira almost 30 years ago) which control the worst symptoms and have kept me walking. The addition of GLP1s have changed my life. They control the inflammation in a way no other treatment has. I have so much more energy. I’m now within 10 pounds of a healthy weight and the weight loss has been at a healthy pace (~5 pounds a month after the first 2 months). RA took my mother’s life. I wish she had had access to these medications. We live in an amazing time. Thank you for the insights for this next stage of the journey. Underweight is a higher risk than overweight, so I know I’ll need to make some adjustments in the next few months to find my stable weight. Thanks again.

@jus4kelley 1 month ago

I know the feeling that after going to ballet class my teacher was encouraging me to lose more weight. I just look at Serena Williams and she has every dietician and coach to help her lose weight and she used a GLP 1 to lose 30 lbs. Good for your guest!