All language subtitles for My 600-lb Life S09E11

When I'm eating, I feel
happy, and I want to be happy.

So I never want to stop eating.

Somewhere in me, there's
this little glimmer of hope.

I just want to be
a normal person.

You can't do it, and
then I just get mad.

If I don't make a
change now, I'm scared

it's going to be too late.

I refuse to stop fighting.

I have to do this
for my children.

I'm going to get back on a diet

and lose the pounds that
you want me to lose.

You say that every time, and
you come in with no progress.

IRENE: My daily life is such
a struggle now because of how

my size have gotten.

It is hard for me to do
things because of my weight,

so I rely on my
family and friends

to help me do what I have to do.

Even with all the
weight I have on me now,

I'm still able to get around
and do some basic things myself,

like cleaning myself
on my own still.

So I push myself to do that.

But it's hard.

It's very hard.

When you're my size,
you have so many areas

you have to keep clean.

I get out of breath,
and it's very painful.

So I can barely
handle finishing,

so I'm never fully clean.

Because I can't
do it all at once.

I really have to take a
shower, like twice a day,

in order to give very clean.

And it's hard not to smell, but
I don't want my family to try

to help me with it, you know?

Right now, I stay in an
apartment with my son,

and my niece, and
my daughter-in-law.

I had to move in with them,
because I wasn't able to take

care of myself anymore.

Usually, it's my niece,
Mimi, or my caretaker, Cameo,

that has to help me most.

I try to limit it to getting
me what I mean, but you know,

the reality is I can't do
it on my own sometimes.

And once I get dressed, I still
have to rest a bit because

of how tired that makes me.

I'm exhausted already,
and I know it's

that way because of how I eat.

You know, eating is what
I do most of the day.

It's the only thing that brings
me the pleasure that I want.

It's what I look
forward to constantly.

Either Trina or my niece will
me my first meal of the day.

They know what I like, and
they just bring it to me.

[knocking]

Come in.

TRINA: Hey, I'm here
to bring the chicken.

Yes, because I'm hungry.

Aw.

Trina and my niece, Mimi,
both give me a hard time

when they bring me what I want.

So you mean tell me, you're
finna eat all this chicken.

You wanted all this?

Irene, really?

Mhmm.

But when I'm eating, I just
want to be left alone to eat.

I don't want to hear all
that, but they, at least,

still bring me what I want.

So I can overlook that.

Plus when I'm eating, it helps
me forget everything else

and block out a lot, you know?

Because when I have any
of my favorite foods,

all the hurt of me is taken
away, until the food is gone.

You ain't even offered
me a piece of chicken.

Do you want a piece of chicken?

No, I don't want no chicken.

I'm eating baked chicken.

I'm trying to eat healthy
for the kids, you know?

You've got your children.

I don't have my children.

Irene.

I'm tired of crying.

I'm tired of praying.

Don't never say, you're
getting tired of praying.

I didn't mean to say that,
because I pray every day,

until the day my kids come home.

But anyway, I know
I have to go to work.

OK, thank you.

And I love you, and
there ain't nothing

you can do about it, OK?

OK.

OK?

Love you, baby.

I love you, baby.

OK, see you later.

OK, I'm glad she's gone.

Whenever I have
something to eat,

I will not stop, until
I've eaten at all,

when I'm done eating, then,
like, an hour later, I

ask somebody to come
give me some more food.

Because I never
want the feelings

that food gives me to
stop, so I just sit and eat

for the rest of the day.

Because food is how
I survive, you know?

It's killing me in
a lot of ways now.

But for most of my life,
it was what got me by.

And if I didn't
have that, I don't

know what I would have done.

I know my food addiction
has led me to this point.

But for many moments in my
past, it was the only source

of happiness that I had.

I was always the big girl,
even when I was really young.

Because I always
had a love for food.

That started very
early on, because I

know I used food to feel
better right from the start.

Because my parents
separated when

I was five years old, because
my dad started abusing my mom.

And she left him, and I think
that's when I became depressed,

you know?

And that's when I remember
the start of my eating.

The way it started was
at church, because my mom

was a church woman.

So she went to church
every day of the week.

And you know, there was always
food at the church functions,

and plates of
food, and pastries.

And I would just eat
as much as I could.

I used to just eat myself,
basically, into a coma,

until I threw up
and stuff like that.

And food became my
source of comfort,

so I was always
trying to get it.

My self esteem was real low
because of how big I was.

And I still think I just ate and
ate, because I was depressed.

My parents and my siblings
talk to me about my weight

all the time, but
they enabled me.

Because they always
gave me food, you know?

Both my mom and my sister did.

Because with my mom,
she took care of us,

but she had to work hard
to provide that life

to me and my sister back then.

My mom is from an island in
South Africa called Mauritius.

And because she always
had to work, you know,

she gave me fast food to
feed me and my sister.

So I just put on
weight as I got old.

And by the time I was 10 or 11
years old, I was 140 pounds.

I kept eating as much as I
wanted, so I kept gaining.

And when I started high school,
I got to over 250 pounds at 14.

So being that big
made high school hard.

I got teased and
bullied a lot, and I

didn't have a lot of friends.

But I had boyfriends.

When I was 16, I
started dating someone.

He was abusive, physically,
verbally, and emotionally.

And my self-esteem was
already low, so I thought I

was lucky to have his interest.

Even though my boyfriend was
abusive, I stayed with him,

and I got pregnant
when I was 16.

I had my son when I was 17.

That's when I had Jacory.

But after, I got pregnant, and
my boyfriend broke up with me.

I was a single mother at
17, and with the pregnancy,

I put on another 100 pounds.

And I was up over 350.

But with the stress of having a
child then, I just kept eating

to deal with it, you know?

Because I was terrified.

I had to drop out of
school, and I didn't

know what I was going to do.

But thankfully, my mom
helped me out some.

I had help for a
couple of years.

But when I turned 19,
I had a lot of tragedy

that's changed my life.

In a span of a little
over two years,

I lost my dad, then my mom,
my oldest sister, and my aunt.

And it was really
devastating for me.

It caused me to eat a whole lot.

But once my parents was
gone, I was homeless,

and I had nowhere to go.

Me and my son slept
at a metro bus stop,

until we met this woman.

And she took me to a shelter
for children and women,

and that allowed me to get
back on my feet for a bit.

I was 21 then, but I didn't
know how to raise a child

and provide for myself.

But the people
there, they showed

me how to take care of my son.

Cameo was one of them, so that's
how we met and became friends.

She always looked after
me from that point on.

But with the guidance from all
of them, I became independent.

And then while being
at the shelter,

I wasn't dating someone,
and I wound up pregnant

with my oldest daughter.

And they had a rule
against being pregnant,

while I was there.

So they kicked me
out, because I got

pregnant, while I was there.

And I tried to do what I
could to make a living,

and I was 24 and
around 500 pounds.

So that made it hard for
me to work consistently.

So for the next
six to seven years,

I either stayed with a
friend or who I was dating.

And I had three more children.

My weight increased during that
time, and I got to around 600

when I was in my early 30s.

I was struggling, and I
started to turn to alcohol.

And then it
escalated from there.

When I was 34, I met
some people that was

not good influences on my life.

I turned to drugs,
because I was depressed.

And I was hanging
around the wrong people.

That was my lowest point,
because all my addictions

led me to lose my kids.

At that point, Jacory was 18
and had gone out on his own.

And I had my four other kids,
and someone had reported me

because my addictions.

So CPS came and took my three
youngest, and I was devastated.

And I actually lost
my mind, you know?

But it led me to a wake up call.

You know, I got clean and
sober for my kids then.

But when I got rid
of those addictions,

it led me right back to food.

Sobriety has made
my weight increase,

and I think, at this point
now, I'm back up to 600 pounds

again.

I have to move in with my oldest
son Jacory, and I feel bad.

Because I really want
him to live his life.

But because I'm
his mother, I think

he feels like he's obligated,
because I took care of him

in the past.

JACORY: Every day is an
uphill battle, because my mom

can't control her eating.

I feel like you should
always be there for your mom,

so I'm trying my best
to take care of her.

But I'm trying to get my mom
to eat the right stuff for her.

It's really a battle
for me, because she

doesn't really care for too
many items that I bring.

As a son, I love my mom.

I don't want her to pass away.

I want her to live a
happy and healthy life.

So I really do hope
my mom gets better.

But I can take care
of myself yet, until I

get rid of my food addictions.

You know, I got rid
of my addiction.

And now, this is
the last one that

stands in my way to get my life
back and to get my kids back.

MIMI: Hey, auntie.

Hey, girl, hey.

I brought the food.

Oh, thank you, girl.

Thankfully, my three
youngest are with family,

but I want to get them back.

And that's not going
to happen, unless I

get all the weight off me.

But I have to break my
food addiction to do that,

and I don't know how to.

That's how I get by, and
that's how I deal with my day.

I sit on the couch
and wait for my food.

And then I eat, until
I want to pass out.

And then shortly
after that, I just

do that, again, and,
again, until it's

time for me to go to bed.

And the next day, I
do it all over again.

Eating is my life.

My favorite too.

Oh, girl, look at this.

I know what you like.

My mouth is watering.

Oh, my God.

When my aunt calls me and
tells me to bring her food,

it's kind of conflicting.

Because I want to
tell her no, but then

I know she's going to get angry.

So I just get it for her anyway.

I do it, because
I love my auntie.

But my aunt has to do better.

And if my aunt keeps on
eating, like she does,

death is the only outcome.

Auntie, is you going
to eat all that?

Girl, well, hell yeah.

When I'm eating, I feel good.

I feel happy, and it's the
only time I feel like that.

I want to be happy, so I
never want to stop eating.

Even when I'm full, I
push myself to finish out

the food that I have to
make sure it's all gone,

so one will get it.

So once I have what I
want, I'm going to eat it

all, no matter what.

And I've never been able
to change that, you know?

This [bleep] is good.

I did try a diet in the past,
like eating salads and fruits.

But I don't like how
plain it all tastes.

So I end up adding,
like, bacon and stuff

that I don't need, a
whole lot of ranch,

a whole lot of cheese.

So it tastes good, and I
just want to eat what I want.

And it makes me
feel embarrassed.

Because I know my
family worries about me

and wants to see things get
better for me, you know?

My nieces and my
son try to motivate

me to just get up
out of the house,

because I be in
the house so much.

They'd just be like, come on.

I'll go with you.

And I think about it, but
the food always wins out.

So I just stay inside
and eat, but there's

a big part of me that does
really want to change.

Oh, girl, thank you for
picking it up for me.

I appreciate you so much.

You're welcome.

You know, I love you.

Watching my mom in her current
conditions is hard sometimes.

My biggest worry with
my mom, right now,

is, basically, her whole body.

I never want her to
just be bed bound,

and I haven't got to the point
I had the bathe her and stuff.

I just don't want it to.

At this point in my
life, I got a lot

of things I want to take
care of, like just have

a job and a career, whatever.

But if my mom doesn't
get help, I'm worried

that she's going to die.

So that's why every day,
I try to keep her healthy,

because it's my time
to take care of her.

You know, I want to stop so bad,

so I could get healthy and be a
better mom to my kids so badly.

Sometimes, I cry when I'm
alone in my bed, you know?

I just cry to myself, and I just
pray to God that, somehow, I

can find a way to
lose the weight

and have a normal life
before it's too late.

I love you.

- I love you, too, baby.
- I'll see you later.

OK.

Me and my friend Cameo
are here at Dr. Now to see

him about help with my weight.

She wants to be with me, because
she's the one who encouraged

me to try to do this.

She and my niece has been
trying to push me to get help.

But Cameo suggested, I
reach out to Dr. Now.

So I did, and now, I'm here.

Irene?

My hope, today, is that Dr. Now

is going to be able to help
me lose all the weight off me,

so I can get better for my
kids and have a better life.

I think I'm around 600
pounds, give or take.

Whenever you're ready.

And at that weight, I'm
just not able to function,

like I need no more.

I know the weight
is unacceptable,

and I'm ashamed I let
it get as high as it is.

But I'm ready to
turn it around now.

Y'all can go to
the exam room, OK?

OK, thank you, ma'am.

No problem.

I just need Dr. Now to give
me the support to do that,

so I can stick with it and
be successful this time.

Because on my own, as
much as I want to do it,

I haven't been able to so far.

So I have to have this
help, and I'm really

hoping to get that today.

DR. NOWZARADAN: Hello,
how are you all doing?

Hi, how are you?

I'm Dr. Nowzaradan,
and you must be Irene.

Yes, how are you, Dr. Now?

I'm doing OK, and who is
this young lady with you?

My friend, Cameo.

She stayed down away from me,
but we've be knowing each other

for, like, 10 or 20 years.

All right, Irene,
what brought you here?

I want to lose weight for be
a better person and a better

mother to my children.

OK, so what you have
done so far to lose weight

that's not been successful?

I need to go on a diet, and
I just want to lose weight.

Because it's hard for me to
move around, and my bladder

is weak because of the weight.

And I have a lot of back
pains, if that makes sense,

because I'm overweight.

All right, well, none of that
helped me understand where you

tried to control your eating
habits before, so I'm guessing

the answer is you haven't really
done anything up to this point.

No, I haven't, and I've
talked to a nutritionist.

And I talked to a doctor
before about plans lose weight,

but I never actually
went through with it.

So what do you do
in a typical day?

A typical diet, I
eat chicken burgers,

fettuccine with
shrimp and chicken.

I do eat, like, vegetables.

I like snacks, like
chips and soda.

And I love cookies, but
sometimes, I overdo it.

And I think over the years,
that's why my weight increased.

Because I've always been a
big girl, even as a child.

All right, well, I
think it's safe to say,

you're right about
overdoing it when you eat.

So what do you think
you can do to change

your eating habit if
you eat all that junk

food that you mentioned?

I think I need to stop eating
the cookies and the cakes,

basically.

And I'm going to start
eating, like, salads,

and no fried foods,
like baked, and sauteed,

and stuff like that.

And I think I'm going
to get me a trainer,

too, because my friend
works out, you know?

And she has her own trainer, and
I think that can help me also.

Well, why haven't you
done that so far if you

think that's the solution?

I'm going to do it now.

That's not the question.

The question is, why haven't you
done anything to change so far?

Because I see that you've got
a lot of medical conditions.

And if you drink soda
and all those junk food

that you mentioned, you're
going to be 600 pounds.

And in this situation, you
are now where your health

is starting to fail.

Right.

But you haven't done
anything to change that,

so what are you willing
to do to change that?

I'm willing to
stop drinking soda,

and just drink water
and juice, and get

on a salad and fruit diet.

And juices are not
part of your diet either.

It's not?

No.

OK.

So what are you willing
to do to change your life?

Get on a diet, and
try to lose the weight,

and get help from others to do
what I do to be a better person

and be a better
mother to my children,

and do what I have to do
to get healthy, basically.

OK, do you get your
own food, or does

somebody bring it to you?

Both.

So who brings it to you?

Her.

Is she your enabler?

No, man, that's
what I didn't want.

I do not enable her.

I cook...

So what kind of food
do you bring for her?

What I eat, she eats.

If she want to eat
it, I cook healthy.

I try to deposit
goodness and healthiness

into her if she'll accept it.

All right, OK, well, she clearly

has a negative support
system that enables her,

and that's what has to stop.

And she needs help to
change, so I'm going to give

you a copy of the diet as well.

So you'll be familiar with it.

OK.

And see if you can help
her out to stick with that,

and see if we can get
her to understand what's

going to be a healthy
eating habit, OK?

OK.

OK, Irene, do you feel you're
motivated to make the changes?

Yes, I'm very motivated.

OK, so you just need to know
what kind of changes to make.

Yes, sir.

OK, so here's what
we're going to do.

I'm going to give you some
instruction, starting now.

You're going to start eating
only three times a day,

no more than 1,200
calories in a single day.

And if you do that, you're going
to be able to lose some weight,

and we're going to see
what are the potential

for you to make some progress
in that direction, OK?

Yes, sir.

And the goal I want you
to work toward is to lose,

at least, 60 pounds over
the next two months.

And if you do the
diet, that should

be very easy for you to do.

OK.

I'm going to also give
you some instruction

about doing some exercise.

I want you to do one
hour of exercise,

instead of watching
TV in the morning,

and one hour in
the afternoon, OK?

OK.

So you think you
can do all that?

Yes, sir.

How much you can walk before
you give out and get tired?

I can walk a little
bit, and then I get tired

and start huffing and puffing.

Then I have to stop,
and I pass out.

I always have blackouts, and
my best friend is concerned.

Her name is Lolita.

She's concerned, because she's
been with me sometimes, too.

And I had passed out and had
blackouts on her and her mom

before.

How often do you pass out?

Like when I cough, it
brings me to pass out,

and I start having headaches.

And my eyes will go back,
and then I come back.

So how many times did that
happened, that you passed out?

It happens every day.

Almost every day?

No, like I have a cough.

And I cough to where,
in my mind, I get dizzy,

and I pass out.

And I see black, and
then I come back.

And my son was like, mom, would
you just put your hands up?

And I put my hands up.

He was like, mama, are you OK?

And I'll be like, yeah, I'm OK.

And he's really
concerned about me.

Have you had tests to
check out to make sure you're

not having a seizure?

Yes, I have, and they told
me, it was due to my weight.

Well, if that happened every
day, and this is concerning.

So we've got a lot of
things we need to do

to get you on the right path.

But everything is
going to be up to you

to make the changes
with your eating habits,

and do your excises, and
follow up with the instruction.

And that's going to
be what you need to do

to get to your goal weight, OK?

Yes, sir.

So that means that
you're going to have

to change your eating habit.

You think you can do that?

Yes, sir.

All right, we're
going to do some testing

in the next few days, and see
what kind of health you are in,

and what your
potential are for going

through potential surgery, OK?

Yes, sir.

OK, so I'm going to get some
stuff for you and bring it in.

And there will be somebody
coming in to draw your blood.

Yes, sir.

And then we're going to start
you on a diet and exercises.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

Any questions?

No, sir, thank you.

All right, so do
you feel like you have

enough support in your
household to help you

to lose weight and be healthy?

Yes, sir.

OK, great.

All right, let me get
some stuff for you,

and I'll be right back.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I have a lot of concerns
about Irene, and her situation.

Particularly, I just
think of her health,

because she's covering a lot.

And from what she
describes that happens,

any time she physically exerts
herself to the point where

she even passes out at times.

All right, this
is an instruction.

You need to go over it
and study to show you

what you need to work on it.

And this is one for you, too,
so you read this every day.

And here's a list
of food to avoid,

so you read that
every night, OK?

What I'm worried about is that
Irene could have a severely

compromised pulmonary
system, so we

need to determine if there
is anything that could

lead to a life threatening
situation for her

in the near future.

So I'm gonna start
running some tests,

and then depending
on the results,

possibly arrange for her to
see a specialist if there

is anything concerning.

On a daily basis, you need to
evaluate all the risk factors.

Excuse me.

But overall, the biggest factor

behind her declining
health is her weight,

and how much strain
that's currently putting

on every organ in her body.

So hopefully, she's ready
to make the changes she

needs to improve her condition.

So far, she hasn't
seemed to do that.

And if that doesn't change,
right now, then her health

is going to continue to
decline as her weight puts more

and more strain on her body.

And the reality is it
probably cannot handle

much more of that,
so she can predict

her condition getting worse.

Because there is
a good chance she

won't be able to survive that.

So your goal will be to
lose 30 pounds a month, OK?

Mhmm.

I'm going to also
give you a book.

I want to pay attention to this
chapter about your exercise,

so these are
exercises that you can

start doing on a daily basis.

And it's on one page.

And go through every
exercise, do that, OK?

OK.

And there is some recipes
here for the food and breakfast.

There is a recipe
over there for meals

that you can read and
find out about those.

Oh, OK.

OK, so you read those.

It will help you
to stay healthy.

OK.

If you need anything,
give me a call,

and I'm going to set
you up for some testing.

OK.

And make sure we find
out about those blackout

spells that you have, OK?

All right, do you
have any questions?

No, sir.

All right, somebody will
come in to do your blood test.

Mhmm.

And then I'm going to set
you up for some testing, OK?

Yes, sir.

OK, all right, if you need
anything, give me a call.

OK, have a blessed day.

Thank you so much.

You have a wonderful day.

You too.

Bye now.

My appointment with Dr.
Now was excellent, because he

gave me some news I can use.

Come on in.

I hear you're dressed in black.

Yes.

I feel hopeful, and very
motivated, and determined.

But I know this challenge
isn't going to be that easy.

It ain't normally
just gone right here,

but the amount that Dr.
Now is asking me to lose

is obtainable.

If I work hard, I
know I can do it.

I'm going to stop
bad eating habits,

and exercise more,
and get my family

members to help me as much as
they can, especially Cameo.

Because Cameo really
does motivate me.

- Ready?
- Yeah.

All right.

Oh, my button is stuck to this.

So it was very important
that Cameo was here,

so she can be able to
help me on this journey

that I'm about to take.

But Dr. Now says,
this is up to me.

So I'm going to put my
best effort into this

and work hard to
do what he says.

Because I want his help.

And I know I have to do it to
be a healthy person for me,

and my children, and my family.

You know, I have a
lot of willpower.

I really want this.

Not only for myself,
but for my children.

And I don't want to
be like this anymore.

It's taken a lot
out of me, so I'm

ready to start this journey.

It's been a week and a half or
so since I went to see Dr. Now.

He had me see some
specialists a couple of days

ago to see about my passing
out and all of that.

But they said, the issues
that I was suffering from

was weight related and
nothing, like, neurological.

It's the strain my weight has on
my lungs and that whole system.

So they said, it is
even more important

that I lose weight
really soon to stop

them from getting worse.

So I've been working on
changing my whole life.

Cameo is coming over to
help me make my meals

and do my exercises,
and she also took out

all the bad food in the house.

So all of that have
been an adjustment.

I'm not going to lie about that.

Good morning.

What's cooking, good looking?

Hi, girl.

What's going on?

I made a selection
from Dr. Now's diet.

The egg white and
turkey sausage.

OK, let's get to it.

Even though this has
been adjustment for me,

Cameo helped pushed me to
stay on track with everything

with my better eating
and my exercises

to make sure I keep doing good.

Would you like black
pepper on your eggs?

Sure, can you surprise
me with some cheese?

No, that ain't on the diet.

But I promise, I'm to try to
make it taste like something.

OK, cool.

Because so far, it
has been going well.

The tasting has been
actually well, you know?

I know you're going
to like the meal,

but I don't think you're
going to like the workout

that's going to come after it.

I'm going to try to get you
right this morning, all right?

Oh, cool.

She wants me to get to her gym
and work with her trainer too.

But I haven't worked up to
where I'm comfortable with being

in public like that, so I told
her, when I get to a better

place, I considered going out.

But for now, she's cooking
me better and healthy meals.

And then we do the
exercises here at home.

I appreciate you a
whole lot, friend.

You're very welcome.

I'm glad Irene is
willing to do this,

because I love her dearly.

I've known her over
15 years, and I

just want what's best for her.

So I'm going to continue to
do, like I've been doing.

I've been a strong-minded,
stable friend

that motivates her.

I empower her.

I uplift her.

I try to be the positive
person in her ear

to try to do the right thing.

I've been around her when
she's had her episodes when

she coughs, and she blacks out.

And it just really
freaked me out.

And that's when I just really
started, like, hey, I see.

I cannot play with you.

So I've been waiting
for her to do something,

like this, to get healthy.

Are you hungry, Irene?

It's coming.

I am hungry.

I don't care what it is.

Just bring it on.

So I want to do what I
can to keep her focused

and on track, so she
can succeed at this.

The only concern I
have is that I can't

be with her 24 hours a day.

So I'm just going to
do the best that I can

and hope it helps her enough.

Oh, look, it's
protein-ish, friend.

It looks healthy.

Yes, OK.

That's what it is, healthy.

Let's try.

Let's try it.

You like it?

No and yes.

No and yes?

Maybe because
there's no seasoning.

No pain, no gain.

No flavor, no pleasure.

Healthy, healthy.

I know. It's healthy.

Healthy.

Obviously, I'll get used to it.

This is a big
adjustment for me, but I

know this is
important for me to be

committed to, to get a better
life and achieve my goals.

It's for a purpose,
and Cameo is right.

My focus needs to
be on being healthy,

so that's what I'm
trying to do, no matter

how difficult it's going to be.

Well, that meal's done, and
now, let's get to this workout.

Ready?

Let's go.

Cameo keeps showing me new
things and ways to be active,

you know?

Even though it's
only been a week,

I can feel myself getting
a little stronger already.

So this is a medicine ball.

I'm going to hand you the ball.

And every time you
hand it back to me,

I want you to give
me a goal on why you

want to lose this weight, OK?

OK.

It's very important.

Here we go.

I want to be able to
be with my children.

OK.

I want to be a
better me for myself.

OK.

I want to be able to
open my own business...

Girl, go.

...And do what I need to do.

I want to be able to have sex,
and do more, and more things.

Goals, goals, goals.

I'm feeling good,
and I'm feeling tired.

Thank you for
helping me work out.

Girl, you're putting me out?

Yes.

Oh, my God.

I love you though.

I love you too.

See you later.

I'm committed to
get to my goals.

So I'm going to keep doing all
this with Cameo, and on my own

to keep getting better.

So my next appointment
can be good to where

I'm able to move ahead and
advance on my journey to get

healthy and have my life back.

Me and Cameo is headed
back to Dr. Now,

and I'm nervous to see how
I've done on my progress.

I'm nervous to find out where
my weight is landed today,

but I know I made progress.

I know I'm doing better, and
I should see some advancements

with my weight in a
positive direction

when I get on this scale.

Irene?

I just don't know how
much advancement it is.

It definitely has me feeling
so nervous, like this.

But I'm trying to keep
my optimism that this

is going to be good
and that I'm going

to have a good appointment.

But I know that's only going to
happen, if my scale number is

good, so I'm really
hoping that what comes up

is what I need it to be.

Me and Cameo are back to see Dr.
Now, and find out my progress.

And I'm hoping it's
enough to be able to move

ahead and advance with Dr.
Now, and his program today.

But I know that it's only
going to be possible,

if I have the results
I'm supposed to today,

where I lost 60 pounds.

If I did that,
then I have dropped

from 603 down to,
at least, 543, so

that's what I'm hoping to see.

598.

It's a loss, so
that's a positive.

But it's not a lot, and
I'm worried that's going

to be a focus for Dr. Now.

You know, I know I
could have done better,

but it's a move in
the right direction.

And my hope is that, at
least, shows a dedication

towards getting better, and I
worked very hard for two months

to do that.

And I'm proud of myself
for that, because that

took a lot of commitment.

So I'm hoping a
great deal, that's

what Dr. Now sees from this.

Hello, how are you doing?

Hi.

Hi, Dr. Now.

How are you?

Good.

So Irene, how are you doing?

Because it doesn't look like
you made much of a change

over the last two
months, so why is that?

I think I was doing better,
but it's been hard, Dr. Now.

I'm not going to lie.

It's been hard.

Eating only on this
diet seems like I'm not

eating at times, if
that makes sense,

but I'm trying to do better.

It's a process with me.

Losing five pounds means
you haven't tried that hard

and hardly changed anything.

So what changes did
you actually make?

I got rid of a lot of
bad stuff in the house,

and I've been trying to
adapt to your healthy meals.

Cameo helped me
with all them, and I

think I still had
a little issues

with the things I ate still.

I think that's
always been my issue.

You know how much
I eat, so that's

what I really need to work on.

So Cameo, why do you
think Irene lost only five

pounds if you're helping her?

I've tried to push Irene
to change her eating habits

and to exercise,
but it's been hard.

And our biggest problem is
that I can't be with her 24

hours of the day,
so I don't know what

she eats when I'm not around.

Do you eat any junk
food after she leaves?

There are times that
I need to eat more,

and I may not have
made the best choices.

Do you remember?

I told you, this
is all up to you.

Yes, I do.

There is no magic solution here,

no quick fix with
weight loss surgery,

and you can't kind of do this.

You either want to save
your life, or you don't.

So you need to
decide if your life

is more important than food.

My life is more important
than food, Dr. Now.

Well, you mentioned
a couple time,

you want to do this
to be a better mom.

Is food more important to
you than being a better mom?

Being a mom is
very important to me,

because I need to be
healthy for myself

and my children,
period, point blank.

Right now, you're still putting

food over them and your health.

Do you get that?

Yes, and I do
want to change that.

Then you need to do that now.

Because nothing
is going to change

with your health and your
situation, until you do.

No one is coming to save you.

You have to save yourself.

And if you do that,
then we can help you.

I know.

We are here to help,
not fix your situation.

It's all up to you.

You understand that?

Yes, I do understand
that totally,

and I'm going to try harder.

Yes, I am.

OK, all right, then
your goal is the same.

Lose 60 pounds in two months.

And if you do that, then
we will move ahead with you

and consider surgery.

I will try to do better.

I promise, Dr. Now.

OK, good.

How are you doing
with your exercises?

Is your stamina improving?

No, my back is killing
me, and I'm still struggling

with being out of breath.

You're not really doing
those, like you should.

So do better with your
diet and exercises,

or we're not moving
ahead with you.

You got that?

I'll do it.

I got you.

OK, I'll see you in two months.

And if you need anything
before then, give me a call.

- OK.
- Yes, sir.

Thank you.
- I'll see you later.

- OK.
- All righty.

- Bye, bye.
- Bye, bye.

I'm very disappointed to
see such little progress

with Irene.

With the test we did
on her a month ago,

she's very lucky she doesn't
have a more serious condition

behind some of the health
issues she was struggling with,

like her coughing and
passing out at times.

But the strain she still has
on her system from her weight

is going to lead to a dangerous
situation with her very soon.

It could be a week from
now or a year from now.

But the fact is that, until
she loses enough weight

to reduce that
strain on her system,

every day is a risk for her,
where her body could give out.

And the longer she
goes like this,

the riskier it gets for her.

So she needs to wake up and
start taking her situation

much more seriously
before her body gives up,

and she runs out of time.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I hear
what Dr. Now said to me.

You know, I have
come here to help me.

And we have to find a way
for me to eat even better,

and to push myself
as long as it takes.

Because this is the
only path that I

have to get a better life.

So I have to stay on
it, because of my health

and so much more
is dependent on it.

Because if I lose
this opportunity,

I basically lose my life.

[slow music]

For the past month I've been
focusing on doing better.

All right, good looking.

Let's start cooking.

Come on.

Let's go. Let's get it.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): And Cameo
is still helping me with that,

but we changed our approach
to... with how are we doing it.

Because she is trying to help
me become more independent,

so I've been trying
to learn from her.

Hand me the food.

Broccoli, and chicken.

Is that what it was?

Chicken, right?

Chicken, steamed broccoli.

Irene is trying to
do better and make

better choices since she
started Dr. Now's program.

But I think part of the
problem for her last time

was that she was eating
right and working

hard when I was helping her.

And I think when
she got on her own

and wanted something to
eat, she was going back

to our old ways and maybe
not even fully realizing

that she was doing it.

But I think she
was finding times

when I wasn't around
to order some fast food

and getting things
she shouldn't have.

So after the last
appointment, me and her

talked about the need for
her to start being able to do

these things on her own.

Make her own healthy meals
with the right portions

and everything.

And then, also
understand the workout

so she wouldn't be so dependent
on me to do any of that.

So that when I'm not around
she can cook something healthy

for herself that she
knows how to cook

instead of ordering it,
and making a bad choice out

of convenience.

I know all of this has been
a hard adjustment for her.

And so it's been a slow process.

But she is making some
progress and she is trying.

We ain't got no salt, but
we'll put you some onions,

and some garlic, and all that.

Yeah, let's get you a
little flavor going.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I've been
enjoying the things that Cameo

have been trying to
teach me, and it's

made me feel more empowered
being able to do this.

Don't flip them yet.

Let them cook.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I know she
still have a lot to teach me.

And I still have a lot to learn.

So I can do it on my
own to be independent.

And that's something I need to
do for myself, not just for me

to reach Dr. Now's
goal, but for me

to have a better way of life.

And that's what I remind myself
of when doing this is hard.

I know I haven't been perfect
with all this, but I'm trying.

That's the one thing I
can say is that I'm 100%

trying my hardest to do this.

And I made mess up when
I have my cravings,

or I feel hunger
still after my meal.

Don't be giving me all
your steamed broccoli, girl.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): But I'm
facing with my struggles,

and I pushed myself to
keep making improvements

so I can advance how I need.

I'm moving forward
every day because how

much I want to do this.

It is good, girl.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): How much
I want to lose the weight,

and be there for my kids.

I just want to have a better
life and do normal things.

Well, we done had a great meal.

So it's time to exercise.

Let's see what you got.

[groans] My arm.

Let's get it.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
I know I should

have done better the first
time, but that's the past.

So my aim is to do
better this time,

and work to make it to where
I need in my next appointment

with Dr. Now.

I go back to see him in a month.

So that's how long I have.

Like this.

25, OK.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So I
know I need to keep my focus

and work my hardest
that whole time.

And not waste a moment of it.

OK.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Because
when I go back this next time,

I make my progress to be enough
to where Dr. Now tells me.

He's moved me forward to
get weight loss surgery.

So I can get closer
to the better

life I'm fighting to have.

The resistance band.

OK.

You said do what now?

Put it back how I
had it at your feet.

OK.

You should stretch your arms.

Like this?

Yeah.

Or you can do one at a time.

Go.

Bring it up.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So no
matter what from now to then,

I'm working as hard as
my body will let me.

Like this.

Like this.

Like this.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): And I'm
not giving in to anything

bad no matter what.

[groans] OK.

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
Me and my niece,

Mimi, are heading to see Dr.
Now for my next appointment.

It's my third one, and it's
going to be my second chance

to reach Dr. Nowz goal.

And I'm hoping I did that.

I know I improved what I've
been doing with my diet

and exercises, and
work even harder,

so I can have a
better result today.

Because I very much want to
advance with Doctor Now to get

weight loss surgery.

I'm just nervous to
see what my results are

going to be on the
scale, and the number

it gives with my weight.

[sighs]

Irene?

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I know
I made more progress.

That's not a question for me.

But my progress just
needs to be enough.

And that's the only thing
I'm nervous about right now,

because I can tell if I've lost
enough to have the results I

need on the scale.

At my last deployment I
only made it down to 598.

And the goal I needed was
to lose 60 pounds by now.

So I need my number to be under
538 from a scale if I made it.

591.

[sighs] OK.

Surprises.

Sorry.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I obviously
have a lot of disappointment

with that progress on my own.

I was really expecting more,
you know, it's an improvement.

I didn't lose more this time,
but I know it's not a lot more.

And it's a lot less than what
I was thinking to be because

of how hard I've been working.

So I'm upset about it.

And I just hope Dr. Now is not
too frustrated with what he's

going to tell me he
thinks about where I'm at,

and the progress
that I have so far.

Because I really am trying
very hard to advance

myself as much as I can.

[slow music]

[knocks at door]

Hello, how y'all doing?

Hi. How are you.

MIMI: How are you?

I'm doing OK.

So who did you bring
with you today.

My nice, Mimi.

How you doing?

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

So what's happened to Cameo?

She couldn't make it, so my
niece came with me today.

She'd been helping
me try to do what

I need to do to make me better.

But Cameo can't make
it today because she

said, hey, I have some other
stuff she needed to do.

OK.

Well, maybe she didn't
want to face the music,

and explain why she hasn't been
able to help you to do better

like you were supposed to.

Because this time you
only lost 7 pounds.

So two more pounds than last
time, and a whole extra pound

in a month.

Huh?

I know.

I thought you were going to
try harder, so what happened?

I guess it's just hard.

That's it.

Because I'm trying
to stick to it all.

I keep pushing myself,
but it's just not enough.

You know I can see that, and
I know I have to do better.

Well, that's what
you said last time,

and you only improved 2 pounds.

So at this rate it
may take you years

to get to your target weight.

And you won't survive
long enough to do that.

So what's going to take to wake
you up, and get you to realize

how serious your situation is?

And how dangerous it is for
you to continue like this.

Because you're
still putting food

over your health and your life.

So how do we change that?

I just have to try harder.

You keep saying that.

But there is no
action behind that.

So you think a
therapist will help

you understand things better,
and help you make improvements?

I had a therapist for years.

And we talked about my
eating all the time.

So you have our guidance and
instruction, and the guidance

of therapists, but you're
still not waking up and taking

this situation seriously.

So I'm not sure
what more we can do.

If you're not willing
to take responsibility

and make the changes you need.

Dr. Now, I know I can do this.

Don't you give up on me.

I will lose the weight.

It just been a lot
harder than I thought.

But I promise, if you give
me another chance I'll do it.

I know I can do this.

I have it in me.

And I'm ready to do this.

I just need one more chance.

You can have all
the chances you want,

but your body is the
one is going to tell you

that you are out of chances.

So this is all set up to you.

If you want to move ahead,
then lose at least 60 pounds

over the next two months.

But if you don't do
that, your situation

isn't going to get better.

It's going to get worse
until it's too late for you.

Because nothing we do
will make any difference

long term if you don't start
doing this on your own.

You understand that?

100%.

I know I can do it this time.

You'll see.

I hope so.

I will.

I promise you that.

DR. NOWZARADAN: OK.

Then, I'll see you in
two months weighing

at least 60 pounds lighter.

Yes, sir.

I will lose the weight.

All right.

If you need anything
before then, let me know.

Nice to meet you, Mimi.

Nice to meet you, too, Dr. Now.

All right.

Y'all take care.
- OK.

You, too.

You, too.

[opens and closes door]

DR. NOWZARADAN: I am at
least glad to see that Irene

isn't gaining right now.

But so far in four months
she has only lost 13 pounds.

That's only 3 pounds a month.

At that rate it will
take her over a decade

to get to her target weight.

But she won't survive
long enough to do that.

With all the strain
she has on her body,

in her current condition,
I think it is unlikely

that she will survive more than
another year or two, unless she

starts to lose a lot of
weight before her body gets

to a breaking point.

So she either has to wake up
and take this seriously enough

to pick up the pace
with her weight loss,

or she's not going to make it.

[slow music]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I
know I need to do better.

That's pretty much
all I can say.

I need to do better.

And I try harder.

And I want to do better.

I want to do this.

And I'm trying, you know.

I improved last time
because of that,

just not as much as I thought.

But me and Cameo brainstorm on
how I can do better last time.

And I thought those improvements
could be enough, because that

was hard for me to do.

But somehow I have
to do better again.

And I will, you know.

I'm not sure how I can
work harder, but I have to,

so I figure it out.

Because I'm not
stopping at this.

And I'm not giving up.

[slow music]

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): After my
last appointment with Dr. Now,

I told Cameo about my progress.

And she was disappointed it
wasn't more, just like I was.

But she knows I
don't want to quit.

And she don't want me to either.

So we went back to
brainstorming more ways for me

to improve even
more than last time.

[slow music]

And so what we came
up with is for me

to cut back on more ingredients
that I use for my meals.

And a lot of extra
that I put in I

haven't been putting in,
like butter and stuff,

or anything like that.

Sometimes I like
some cheese added in.

But I don't even do that either.

It's more like the
oils and the seasoning.

I'm going to come back on more.

And I've been trying to do that
for the past couple of weeks.

This is the biggest
adjustment for me so far.

Tastes like all of the flavor's
gone, on top of what was

taken out of my meal already.

So I just feel even tougher
now, but I'm still doing it.

And I'm trying to
improve, you know.

I've been doing my exercises
every day, twice a day.

But the problem
with doing that is

that there's not so much room
for activity in my apartment.

Because overall I'm
still uncomfortable doing

any sorts of exercise
in public, you know.

Cameo wants me to go
to her gym, to work

out there with a person.

But I don't feel ready for it.

But we decided a good
compromise was try to do walks,

outside around my complex.

Because there probably
won't be people around if I

do it in the evening.

And you know, if they are, then
I can just go back to my place.

So I told her, I'd be
willing to try to do that,

and see how I can handle it.

So that's what I'm going to
try to do with my niece, Mimi,

today.

And I'm going to try to
walk around the block

once, once the sun gets low.

And then see how it goes.

[slow music]

My niece, Mimi, been here for me
more and more lately when Cameo

been busy.

You ready to go?

- Yeah.
- OK.

Let's go.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
You know, I know

she has her life, and
things she has to do,

and I take up a lot of time.

So I understand.

She has to balance that with me.

Because it's cold.

Yeah, I know.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So Mimi is
stepping up to give me some

of the support that I need.

My son has to work.

So he usually isn't here much.

[irene panting]

Them rails are cold.

Well we got to warm up.

[irene panting]

- OK.
- You all right?

Mm-hm.

I just can't do it easy.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So
if Cameo can't do it,

then Mimi is all I
got at those times.

OK.

Yeah.

You know... it was... you know
it wasn't going to be easy.

Oh, yeah. I know.

I know.

But you got this.

Go ahead and take your breath.

OK.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So
she's been assisting me.

And she's also been
encouraging me to work hard

and to push myself,
like Cameo does.

And that's been
important for me to help

me stay motivated and focused.

[irene panting]

Oh, hold on.

Wait a minute.

Go forward.

[panting] Wait here.

Ooh, my back.

[panting] Hold on a second.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): But I'm
thankful to her for that.

I do wish she'd be
easier on me, like I

wish with Cameo sometimes.

And I know it's
important to push myself,

because I know this
is no pain, no gain.

[irene panting]

Lean on me.

[irene panting]

OK.

Lean on me.

[irene panting]

OK.

[irene panting] Oh, my God.

I gotta something for back.

Oh, I'm completely
wiped out from that.

It was a lot.

[irene panting] Man.

Breathe.

I'm trying.

Slow breaths.

OK.

[irene panting]

MIMI: You gotta walk every day.

I know.

MIMI: It's going to
get easier every day.

I know.

It's just my back.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
But as tired as I am,

I'm glad I pushed
myself to do it.

You know, because
that was the best

exercise I've had in years.

And there wasn't
really any people.

So I think I could keep trying
it, and handle doing it,

as long as I have
Mimi or Cameo with me.

It's my back.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): But I'm
going to keep pushing myself

like this, and going even
harder with everything

I need to keep doing
it, you know, with both

the diet and the exercises.

Because I'm very willing to do
whatever it takes to succeed.

So I can get help before
doctors Now gives up on me,

or before my body can't
take giving me more

and then give out.

Ooh, a sharp pain.

The stairs is right here.

OK.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): So
making it to my goal

by this next appointment,
in two months,

is very important to me.

Because one of those
things is going

to happen soon if I don't.

And I can't let myself
run out of time.

[irene panting]

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): It's been
a very scary period for me,

because I haven't
been sure what's

going to happen with
everything, like my chances

to get weight loss surgery.

Or you want, like...

IRENE: Just some garlic
powder and onion.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): After
my third appointment,

I only lost 12 pounds total.

And I still haven't
made it to the 60 pound

goal I was supposed to get to.

I was supposed to have
my fourth appointment

like six months ago,
but it got canceled

because of the epidemic.

No.

I'm going to have to wing
it with the broccoli, too.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Since then,
the stress has made it hard.

But I wanted to keep working
on what I needed, staying

on track this whole time.

But for me to do that,
that's been just difficult.

I ain't gonna put too many.

IRENE: Too many what?

JACORY: Mushrooms.

Yeah, just put,
like, two or three.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
Boredom made it very hard

not to eat for comfort,
when I really needed it.

So I know I stumbled a lot
over the last seven months,

especially since I haven't
been able to see Cameo

at all to get the encouragement
and the direction I

was getting from her.

You know, we talk,
and calls, and stuff,

and I've been able to do that
a couple of times with Dr. Now.

But it's just hard not seeing
anybody, especially Cameo.

Honestly, ma, I don't
think this food will

be coming out bad, you know.

I hope not.

I got to eat it.

[chuckles] I appreciate you.

Because I know you
over there trying.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): My
niece and my son have

been trying to fill the void.

But it's still been so hard,
even with them stepping in.

So I still struggle a lot.

All right.

I believe this is a
perfectly cooked fish.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
My fear has been

that I'm not going to
make it through it,

and it's been terrifying for me.

Because I know my body
is not in a good place,

and it hasn't been for a while.

And I know I need
to change that,

but I can't without help
and weight loss surgery.

And my biggest fear
has been that I

lost the chance to get that.

I don't even know when it's
going to be possible to get it.

Things like weight loss surgery
have been put on hold, too.

And you know, I made
my family worry,

because they had hopes like I
did, that I was going to help.

Oh you did pretty good.

[chuckles]

Oh, really?

While I've been
here home I've been

a little worried about my mom.

I try to make sure she's not
feeling lonely, depressed,

and stuff like that.

You know, I'm just trying to
keep her on the right track.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I don't
think I lost much more weight

since my last weight check.

I probably gained some
over the past seven months.

But recently I've been finding
my determination again.

I'm game for it.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): And I don't
want to give up if there's

any chance I could still
get Dr. Now's help,

because I have to get better.

So if Dr. Now says,
I can come you again,

I'll be fully committed then.

That's all you eating?

Mm-hm, yes.

OK.

We just had dinner, so
you ready to work out?

Yes.

Now hand me the weights.

So the weights.

Let me sit up a little bit.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
Honestly, I know I

could have done better before.

Because there are moments I
gave in and I didn't do my best.

2, 3, 4.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
But I really am

ready to do whatever it takes.

I talked to Dr. Now
a couple of times,

but it's been over seven
months now since I saw him.

And I don't even know what
my options are at this point.

[groans]

To winning.

[groans]

I know you feel
that muscle, huh?

Shut up, boy.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): And
I'm ready to do this.

I just need a little
time to get on track

again and lose the weight.

My hope is if I do that, I can
finally get the weight loss

surgery to help save my
life before I get worse

and run out of time.

JACORY: (LAUGHING) 19, 20.

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I have a
video call with Dr. Now today

to see if it's possible
for me to go back to him

and have another appointment.

But in around a few months.

So I can have time to get back
on track before I actually

do go back to the scale
and get my weight checked,

because if you give me
that, I know I can do it.

But I don't know what he's
ultimately going to say,

because it's been a while.

And I don't know
if his perspective

has changed about anything.

And if he's going to think
I had enough chances already

now that resources are
different right now,

and things seem up in the air.

Well, hopefully he says I
can get back to his program,

and have that chance again
because I'm truly ready to do

whatever it takes now.

[slow music]

[video call ringing]

Hey, Irene.

How you doing?

I'm good, considering.

How you holding up?

You OK?

Yeah.

So how have you been
doing with your diet

since we talked a
couple of months ago?

I've been struggling.

I don't think I made as much
progress to be honest with you.

OK.

Well, we discussed my
concern about that.

Because as hard as it's been
with everything going on,

if you keep justifying
eating junk food

and you're overeating,
then your health is

going to continue to decline.

And there is no excuse for
that no matter the situation.

And at this point,
if you're still

killing yourself
for food, what do

you want me to do about that?

Because I'm not sure what
more we can do for you,

if yourself are not
going to make the choice

to change your eating
habits and take the step

you need to get healthy.

I understand what
you're saying, Dr. Now.

I know I made some mistakes.

I know that.

I got depressed
having to be home

this long with the pandemic.

But now I just want
to get back on track.

And I want my last chance
that I ask you for when I was

in your office the last time.

And I want to meet
your goals if I

can have some time to do that.

You think you're
finally ready to do that?

Yes, 100%.

I'm going to get back on a diet
and do that, with my exercise,

and lose the 60 pounds
that you want me to lose.

You know, what's going to
make the difference this time,

when you say that every
time, but you come

in with almost no progress.

The pandemic, with
everything that's happened

has made me realize a lot.

But I don't know.

It was like I was forced
to look at my situation,

and I had a lot to lose.

And I just want a second
chance to do what I have

to do with my life this time.

OK.

Yeah.

I'll give you two more months.

We'll set up a time and a
day when you can come in.

And I expect you
to be You got that?

Yes, sir.

I understand what you're saying.

And I'm going to do it.

And Cameo is going
to help me, too.

I'm ready to do
whatever it takes.

I'm going to do it this time.

All right.

I hope so.

I will.

DR. NOWZARADAN: I'll see
you in two months then.

In the meantime, keep safe,
and if you need anything,

give me a call.

OK.

I will.

Thank you Dr. Now - OK.

Bye, Irene.

Bye, bye, for now.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): For
the next two months

I'm going to do everything
I can to make it to my goal.

No more messing around.

No more compromises.

When I get extra hungry, no
more messing up or excuses.

I'm doing this.

You know, I'm very
thankful the doctor

now is giving me another chance
to do this and get his help.

And so I'm not
going to let myself

waste it, no matter what.

100% going to hit
my goal this time,

and get the weight loss surgery.

[music playing]

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
I feel like I'm

ready to take a
big step for myself

today, for my physical
advancement with my exercises,

doing more of those,
but with my fears, too.

CAMEO: Get a shrimp bag with
some potatoes and some food.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Because
I'm going to Cameo's gym,

and I'm going to work out with
her trainer at a public place,

and that's a very
big step for me

with my willingness to do that.

[irene groans]

But I do feel like
I'm in a better place

to be ready to try this and
handle myself in public.

Come on, friend.

Hi, Nancy.

NANCY: Cameo.

Hey, how are you?

How are you?

I'm fine.

Good to see you.

- It's good to see you.
- How you been?

This is Irene.

Irene this is Nancy.
- Hi, how are you.

- Hi.
- My hands are cold, I'm sorry.

That's OK.

How are you feeling?

I'm fine. I'm feeling good.

Feeling good?

NANCY: Well, glad you're here.

Yeah, a little excited?

All right, let me show you
what we're going to start at.

OK.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Cameo had
always been pushing me to go

to her gym, with her trainer.

...Doing all of that?

Yeah.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): But I haven't
felt physically or mentally

ready for that, until recently.

I just want to...

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
You know, I started

doing walks around my apartment
to build up my stamina more.

And I feel like it helped me.

All you're doing
is taking your toes

literally and touching.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
And today, I'm

going to see how it goes
for me, but I'm very

determined now to progress.

Whatever I have to do to
advance, I'm ready to do it.

Touch.

- There you go, Irene.
- Touch.

Yeah.

Touch.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
Because I'm 100%

committed to better myself and
my help to get to where I need.

[claps] How does that feel?

See? Not just scary.

- Right.
- Not too scary.

One done.

Let's... why don't you face me.

We're going to do
some upper body.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
I'm eating stricter

than I ever have with no
exceptions for anything,

that's not on a diet.

So I feel like I'm making my
eating the best it can be.

And now I need to make
my workout the same.

All right, arms above your head.

You're going to aim... this is
going to go behind your head.

So bend those elbows.

There you go.

And then bring it straight
back up, straight back up.

There you go, ma'am.

Good.

Yes, ma'am.

Center.

Side.

Center.

Let's get you to
walk, so that way

you keep... because I know you've
got your heart rate going.

IRENE: OK. [trips]

[interposing voices]

Use your legs and walk, girl.

[interposing voices]

So this is going
to be great for you,

even just one or two minutes.

OK. OK.

NANCY: It's going to get you
conditioned into breathing.

I'm great. I'm great.

NANCY: [chuckles] There you go.
- OK.

I can do this.

I can do this.

- You want to inhale.
- OK.

Stop for a minute.
- There you go.

OK.
- Stop for a minute.

Stop for a minute.

OK.

[sighs and pants] OK, hold on.

Let me take a break.

No, you take a break.

I've got asthma and bronchitis.

Let me take a break.

It's a process.

[sighing and panting]

I know the pain.

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
That was hard,

but I feel good, like
I did when I started

walking around my block.

So I know that means I'm
getting a good workout.

So I feel good about
that, but I'm exhausted.

That is a good
kind of exhausted,

because I know it means I'm
progressing and getting further

towards where I want to be.

And I know I need to do
that as much as possible

right now, because I
only have one more month

to get to my goal.

And I intend to be where
I need to be at the end.

Because this might be my last
chance to get Dr. Now's help.

So there's no way I'm going
to mess that up or fall short.

I don' believe it.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): And
risk losing it again.

This is too important.

And I know without a doubt in my
mind, my life depends on this.

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Me
and Cameo are headed back

to another appointment
with Dr. Now,

and we both feeling
confident about my progress,

but I'm still nervous.

It's hard not to be with so much
depending on the number I get,

because it can determine the
rest of my life at this point.

Irene?

IRENE (VOICEOVER): As
dramatic as that sounds.

But I know I'm running
out of chances.

And I can feel I've been running
out of time with my body.

And if I lose this
chance, then that's going

to take my only hope for me.

So that's what I'm
very nervous about,

because I really do believe
my life is dependent on this.

[music playing]

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
I'm at Dr. Now's again

with Cameo for an
important weigh

in, to find out if I had
made it to my goal or not.

My last check in was 591.

And Dr. Now told me I
needed to get around 540

if I want to advance.

So I'm really hoping
that I did that.

535.

[high fives]

Come off.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I'm
feeling very proud of myself.

And I'm excited to get
Dr. Now's reaction.

I knew I can do this, if I
focused my mind like I need it.

So I'm feeling very happy
right now with my progress.

And I'm very hopeful that this
means I can fully advance today

to get my weight loss surgery.

[knocks on door]

Hello.

Hi, Dr. Now.

How are you?

I'm doing good.

How y'all doing?

Good.

So, Irene, you finally did
it, and got to your goal.

Yes, sir.

Woooooh!

Girlfriend!

Yeah!

That's great.

It only took you a
little bit over a year.

I don't think
seven months of this

should have counted
with everything that's

going on with the pandemic.

Fair enough.

But in spite of how long
it took, I am proud of you

for finally doing it.

Thank you, Dr. Now.

So what was the
difference this time?

After a few months
with being at home,

I thought I lost my chance
of going to surgery.

And I guess it made me
realize how close I am to not

having any options for help.

And I tell myself, if I got
another chance, no matter

what, I have to take it.

So I just cut out
all the bad stuff

I was in with no exceptions.

No more excuses and justifying.

I just did it.

And Cameo helped me.

OK.

So it took the pandemic
to wake you up.

Yes, it did.

I guess you can say it.

I guess she wasn't
cheating no more

whenever I left the building.

[laughs] See? she
got the results.

Great.

Well, Irene, I'm proud of you.

And I'm going to approve
you for weight loss surgery.

[both screaming]

Yes, girl!

Yes!

It's about time, all
this hard work we put in.

We put into it.

Yes, girl.

[both laugh]

Thank you, so much.

Yes, honey.

Thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you.

See? Hard work pays off.

Ooh, yeah.

But here's the situation,
with COVID and the safety

restrictions, and because there
is concern of another spike

in cases, elective
surgery might not

be feasible for a
little bit longer.

So right now it may
take a few months

before we are able to
get you on the schedule.

But as soon as we're
able, we'll do that.

Oh, OK.

But until then, what I need
you to do is keep losing, OK?

OK.

And long as you keep
heading in the right direction

until then, we'll be able
to move ahead with you, OK?

OK.

But how long do you
think it would take?

Because I wasn't expecting
to have to keep meeting

many goals like that.

You don't need to meet
any weight loss goals.

Just keep losing, OK?

And it's possible we can move
ahead with you in two months,

but it may take three.

It depends on how things are
over the next couple of months.

OK.

So we'll move ahead
as soon as possible.

Just make sure to stay on track.

And at least lose
something reasonable,

like 10 pounds a month, until
we are able to do the operation.

You should be able
to lose that easily.

You think you can do that?

I can do that,
Dr. Now, definitely.

I've come this far, and
I'm getting the surgery.

I'm going to do it.

OK.

Great.

Well, I'm proud of you.

Good job.

Thank you, Dr. Now.

And I will let you know if we
can get you on a schedule soon.

If not, we'll do a follow
up in a couple of months,

and see how you're doing.

But if you need anything
before then let me know.

I will, Dr. Now, thank you.

OK.

See you soon.

You too.

Take care, Dr. Now.

Be safe out there.

Bye.

[music playing]

[door closes]

DR. NOWZARADAN: I am very
happy to see the turnaround

with Irene, and
that she's finally

taking responsibility for
herself after all this time.

It's unfortunate it took what
it did to finally wake her up,

but at least she's
taking the initiative

to do what she needs
now to get healthy

and turn her life around.

So I'm proud of her for doing
that, when she could have

easily used everything going
on as more of an excuse

to continue heading in
the wrong direction.

So now she just needs to
stay motivated to keep

making some progress and
heading in the right direction

until we are able to perform
her weight loss surgery

But right now, I'm proud of her.

And I feel optimistic
that she's going

to keep working hard to move
forward enough for us to be

able to help her, and
give her the tools she

need to stay on track.

And do this for the long run.

But Irene still has
a long road ahead

to get to where she needs.

And it's not going
to be easy for her.

But right now, I'm
proud of her, and I

feel optimistic from the
attitude I see from her right

now, that she's going to keep
working hard to move forward

enough for us to be able to help
her, and give her the tools she

need to stay on track.

And do this for the long run.

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I'm
very happy to be approved,

and that I'm finally advancing
like I very much needed.

But I'm a little disappointed
about the way to do it.

But I understand, you know.

It is what it is.

And I'm just going to keep
on track, like Dr. Now says,

so when it does come time,
I can still move forward.

So you know, it's not a
setback, just a delay.

But I'm not going to let that
interfere with the celebration.

You know it feels really good.

So I'm very excited, and
I'm going to keep focused

and working hard until I
get it and I can move ahead.

And I'm very much looking
forward to that day, hopefully

soon.

[music playing]

IRENE (VOICEOVER):
Never in a million

years I would have thought
I would be on a diet

and sticking to it.

I'm so proud of myself.

I got to pat myself on the back.

Yes, ma'am.

Absolutely.

[claps]

IRENE (VOICEOVER): I'm
feeling real good about myself

and my life right now.

And I'm looking forward
to when I can move ahead

and get my weight loss surgery.

I stepped out to change my life,
and I'm accomplishing that.

And I'm ready to do whatever
it takes to keep moving forward

and to have that future
that I wanted my whole life.

So no matter what
comes my way, I'm

not getting distracted or
off course with any excuse,

or justifying bad choices.

I'm staying dedicated
and getting to where

I want, no matter what.

I'm loving this diet
no matter what though.

And I'm determined,
and I'm motivated.

CAMEO: I'm excited for you.

I know.

I'm so glad... yeah... y'all
was with me on this journey.

I just y'all to continue
to support me, you know.

Of course.

And I want you to meet a man.

MIMI: It's about time.

It is about time.

Yes, girl, it's time.

Yes it's time.

I know I can do this,
you know what I'm saying.

IRENE (VOICEOVER): Because my
future is like an open book

to me now, where I'm
helping write the pages.

Before I wasn't, because I
gave up control of my life.

But I'm changing that.

And you know, I'm excited to
see how my own story progresses.

And I'm very happy, and very
much looking for an outlet

and what's ahead for me now.

Group hug, y'all!

[giggling]

I love y'all so much.

I love you, too.