Original subtitles

[James] Something in my head is telling me I have to eat the food.

I just cannot stop. I just, I try everything in my power.

[woman 1] Somewhere in me is this little glimmer of hope.

I just want to be a normal person.

[pants]

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

[woman 2] If I don't make a change now, I'm scared it's going to be too late.

[grunts] No! It hurts!

[woman 3] I refuse to stop fighting.

I have to do this for my children.

Gotta sit down.

Just doing that was a big struggle for me.

But, it's only the beginning of this journey.

[cell phone ringing]

I wake up in the morning time.

The first thing I do before I even brush my teeth.

Good morning. How you doing? I'm calling to put in an order

for breakfast this morning, please.

That's the first thing I do.

All right, can I get the two slices of Steak House premium pancake?

Can I get two orders of that, please?

Can I get the Game Day family feast?

Can I get the original French toasts?

The amount of stuff that you can get is just crazy.

So, I just...

I get excited. It's like the Super Bowl.

You can get whatever you want now, you understand?

And a slice of, let me get a slice of ham.

- Two of 'em. - [woman] Okay, is that all?

Yes.

But, once I place the order, I get anxious even though the food don't take long.

- Hi. You're welcome. You too. - Thank you so much. Have a wonderful day.

- All right, thank you. - Bye.

And once it get here, it's the best part of my day

because I love to eat.

And I'm ready to go, you know?

I'm always ready to eat.

I just feel like the food has to be eaten.

Food could be here and I tell myself stop,

just put it down.

10 minutes later for some reason, I'm back at it again.

Something in my head is telling me I have to eat the full.

Food just takes away the pain. It takes away all the guilt.

It takes away all the issues.

Everything just goes away, whenever I have that first bite.

It just takes me to another place.

You know, the food, it just blocks the world around you

and then you feel comfortable.

You feel like nobody could see you.

It gives me everything I want.

But there's nothing worse than coming to the end of a meal.

So, my breakfast is over.

Then I'm already thinking about lunch.

I do get full.

But it's temporary.

- [grunts] - Then I'm already back on the phone.

Look on what I'm gonna get for lunch.

Bathing myself is the worst struggle of my day.

Because moving around when you're my size,

it's very difficult and it can be very painful.

Being obese...

is one of the worse conditions

that you could be in in your life.

I don't recommend this for nobody, like, I wouldn't.

This is not no way for anybody to be.

Right now because of my weight,

I'm having a lot of back problems

like my lower back.

It feels like I got hit by a truck,

like, my whole back is in the worst pain ever.

So that only makes me move slowly like a snail

because any big movement is painful.

And the pain is all over my body.

My knees, my joints, my ankle.

You know because once I get up, all this weight is just basically

putting pressure on my legs.

And, you know, my knees and walking is extremely unbearable

like, the pain is so much.

And showering is worse because of all I have to do.

Just to be able to bear it, I have to have a chair.

When I'm standing, I'm taking a shower regularly,

I get out of breath, so I sit on the chair.

I wash my backside first, make sure that's good.

Then I lather up my shower glove.

It's just like a wash cloth, but it's gloves

and I just rub down everything.

I have a shower stick to reach the parts that I can't reach

because you have a lot of cracks and crevices

that you have to dig in and make sure everything is properly cleaned.

So, I'm making my business regardless of what I'm going through,

how I'm feeling.

To make sure I hit that tub and dig in whatever I got to dig in

to take out what I forgot to take out.

So, I wash my [bleep] every day, faithfully.

That's my workout.

After that's done, then I'm ready for lunch.

I grew up around food.

It's always been a center point of my life.

Coming up in the Caribbean culture,

the foods that we used to eat is...

These are the names that we call them in Creole.

You had your, like, it's collard greens...

You have fried goat, you got sausage.

These are the things we ate on a daily basis.

There was so much and these things, like, that's what plump you up.

I was cleaning up my plates.

And all... my plate was always clean.

It was just me and my brother, and my mother most of the time,

because my father wasn't around.

He would stop by at times to see us,

but I didn't have a father figure in the house growing up.

My mom used to always just give me a lot of food.

So, I ate very good growing up.

I was over 100 pounds when I was six years old,

and when I started going to school, I had to find ways

to feed my appetite during the day

because I was always hungry.

So, I got cool with the lunch ladies in the cafeteria.

I would sweet talk them, so they'll sneak me some food in the morning.

I would lie to the teacher and told the teacher I'm going to the bathroom

and I'll be ending up in the lunch room.

Multiple times a day

and then I have a heavy meal at night,

so it's just basically eating all day.

So with all that constant eating, my weight got higher

at a very quick pace.

When I was eight, I was 300 pounds already.

I didn't care about no academics.

I didn't care about sports or anything else.

People wanted me to play football because I was a little bigger.

I wanted to go to lunch.

So, I just continued to eat like I was just greedy little kid.

And so, no one could stop me. I hit 450 by the time I hit 14

and 15 years old.

The weight didn't bother me, it bothered everybody else, but it didn't bother me.

I still gained through the rest of high school.

And when I finished and I graduated,

I was at the 500 mark.

I finished high school, but I didn't go to college.

I wanted to work, now I wanted to make some money now.

So, I went and got my security license.

I was into the whole security thing.

And I just went into that field.

And let my weight get worse because now I was making money.

So, now, I could get whatever I want.

I was dining out everywhere.

So, that led me to more weight gain.

And that started to make it difficult

to even do the security job I had.

When I was 23, I realized that I was limited in my career.

So, I decided I want to make a change to my life.

So, around 24 years old, I decided to change my scenery

a little bit, I was getting tired of New York.

I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida,

and I kind of fell in love with Florida lifestyle.

The people, the atmosphere, everything was just a beautiful place to live.

You know and I got inspired to start writing music.

And I tried to pursue a career in that industry.

That's what I wanted to be a part of.

And pretty quickly, I got to where I felt ready

to start to show some of my stuff off.

So, I started to book some studio time to record some demos.

That's when I met Funkier.

They had a studio session that night.

I see this pretty girl walk past and I just approached her.

That's it. Oh, you know, I lost my phone.

Can you call me so I can find where my phone is at?

And that's how I was able to obtain her phone number.

But, for some odd reason, we just felt each other.

So, what I did was I went and got two part time security jobs

to make ends meet. She got her own place.

And as soon as we was living together,

my significant other decided that it was time for us

to go on a diet.

So, for a while, my weight stabilized,

but that didn't last for me because I couldn't stay away

from food.

And the weight gain started to accelerate again.

But I don't know where my weight's at 38,

I just know that it's gotten higher over the last few years.

Because of the strain I could feel over my body

and how difficult it is to do much of anything right now.

Funk can help me do everything. You know,

and I was starting to feel like a burden on her shoulders as well.

And I refuse to let that stand like that.

So, about a year ago, I decided to come back here

to New York.

She was telling me that I could stay there with her,

but I didn't want our relationship to become

her being my caretaker.

So, I'm back here with my own place

and my family comes and help me when I need it.

But, you know, she's in Florida,

and she's taking care of her mama, you know,

and that's her focus for the time while I'm here.

We're still good even though we communicate from far.

So, that's where I'm at now, you know.

I can't wait to go back down to Florida, but it's only going to happen

when I lose weight.

I basically can't do anything right now.

I can't function at all.

- I'm ready for cake now. - Let's go.

- Yummy, yummy. - Let's do it.

[Cheyenne] All right.

[James] My cousins, they bring me something that I like

and eat with me.

Wow. It's nice. It smell good.

Should I take it out the box?

- Yeah, you can just set it in the middle. - This look nice.

I love red velvet cake. That's something I adore.

I got introduced to red velvet cake when I moved to Florida.

I have to have it daily.

It's a part of my meals...

it's such and such, such and such, and red velvet cake.

Yeah, I need a big piece. I need a large one. Oh, yeah.

- That's what I'm talking about. - Another big one?

- No, that's good. - That's good.

- Yeah. - Taste good?

Good, right?

It's not good, it's the best.

James has always been big, even from when we was younger.

But, he just gradually as he got older,

he got bigger, weighed about 700 pounds or something.

He barely can work. When is it enough?

That's what I tell him, when is it enough?

You can't stay like this.

This cake hits it every time on the nail.

I'm glad you enjoyed the cake.

Yeah, I appreciate it. Thank you.

You made my day today with this cake. It's good.

All right, let's clean up.

[sighs]

- Thank you. - No problem. No problem.

I'll be right back.

So, I'm mostly just stay at home now.

I can order what I want now.

And my brother and my cousin help me get what I need,

so I don't have to suffer going in front of public.

Yo.

What's good? What's going on, man? I'm here.

What's up, Brody.

Yeah, I need some snacks, bro.

I need some to keep me, keep me motivated.

My brother will do some grocery shopping for me.

He use video call to show me where he's at in the store.

So, I could guide him to get me what I need.

All right. Yo, that's the ice cream aisle, right?

All right, let me get two ice cream bars.

Facts, bro. I needs that.

That's how I gotta do shopping right now,

'cause of my size.

I have to have assistance like that.

My brother does it for me a few times a week

to help me get what I need.

And let me see what aisle you on and I'll tell you

just what to grab.

Right there. Right there.

The sodas, the sodas.

Can you get the fruit punch joint?

Let me get the Mandarin.

Let me get that cheese right there.

- Yeah, right, right. - Yeah, top that.

Let me get that right there. The scoop.

Yeah, I got you.

I need to put that cheese in there. Yeah, yeah.

That's it for snacks, bro? That's it?

That's it. All right.

And also try to tell him what not to eat, what he should do.

You know, I try to just give him advice to get better,

I miss just hanging out, going out,

kind of have not been able to go out past couple years.

- [door bell ringing] - Coming.

- [bleep] crazy. - Need some help?

- Watch out, you gotta hold it from the bottom. - Busted?

Yeah.

It it is what it is. Let's go eat. Food, food, food.

What do we got today?

We got some chicken.

Yeah, I appreciate you guys, for real.

- Thank you so much. - No problem.

The worst part about my situation now

is that it's financially making me struggle.

Because, you know, I got bills too.

I can't afford to buy food and take care of my bills.

I can't do that.

You know, but...

with this addiction I have, it's actually...

one's becoming more important than the other.

Is it good? Let me take a little look see, look see.

And what we got over here.

Help me open them up, please?

It's also, like...

The world has just pushed me away

because of that, I resort to food.

I'm loving the food, these ribs... Oh, my God.

- Are they the best thing for you? - Yeah.

But, I know at the end of the day, I'm a food addict.

And I'm depressed because I don't have

normal conversations no more.

Everything is pertaining to my weight.

Regardless if it's mother, my brother, my friends

and regardless of who it is.

It's always pertaining to my weight.

Everything.

Everything.

The condition I'm in, they just gonna just be either scared for me.

They're praying for me.

And why I let myself get this way.

And what I should do to get rid of it.

But I know they are right because I believe that

I'm killing myself.

Because every time I take a bite,

I've taken away more from my life.

Knowing that I'm doing that, I continue to do so.

But I just can't stop. I really can't.

I just cannot stop. I try everything in my power.

I'm at a point where soon I'm going to take

that fatal bite and that's going to be my last.

Oh, boy.

[grunts]

I have to do something before it happens.

Or soon, food is gonna kill me.

- Are you guys ready? - [Cheyenne] Yes, sir.

Your water bottle.

Can you put that down for me? And I get it downstairs?

I got a hold the rails when I come downstairs.

- So, I'm ready, you ready? - Yeah, come on. Let's go.

- Let's make those moves. - Let's go make these moves.

Let's make these money moves.

- Let's go, let's go. - No, I got it. I'mma get up.

I got to do certain things some time now.

And sometimes I need to, you know, I'm in my weight loss journey.

So, I got to do things.

- You're afraid you're gonna make me fall? - No, just, I got it.

Are you sure? Come on, let's go.

My friends Mike and Marcus, and my cousin Cheyenne

is taking me to Houston to see Dr. Now.

We're going down there as a last ditch effort for me

to lose weight, but I'm not looking forward

to any of this right now.

[Cheyenne] Be careful.

I know this is a now or never situation for me.

So, I just got to do this.

And I mentally prepared myself for this.

Okay, it's gonna be a hard experience for me.

[pants] Oh, God.

When we finally see him after the COVID and stuff like that,

we seen that he got bigger.

Five flights of stairs, no elevator

and he was always saying, you know, I need to lose weight.

I don't know how to lose weight.

[pants]

[pants]

Stress is not going to do anything for me,

it might make it worse.

So, you have to do something, you need help. It's okay.

Everybody needs help.

[grunts]

Just coming down here was a lot for me.

[pants]

But, it's only the beginning of this journey.

- [man] What's up, buddy? You good? - Yeah, I'm all right.

[Cheyenne] Come on, James.

[pants]

You ready, James?

Road trip, road trip.

[engine starts]

So, I have a lot of worries about how I'm gonna take on the road.

I'm not gonna let that stop me from trying to do this.

I just hope that I could do this.

But I know I have a long trip ahead of me.

I just hope that I can make it

because I don't have any help here.

This cake is so good.

I'mma bring Mr. Now a piece of cake.

This has been one of the longest days I had in a long time.

We made it down the road about five hours.

But I will say I'm ready to get out and stretch myself.

To handle all the movement and strain of sitting that time.

Because I feel like I'm at my limit for the day.

I'm not used to being this cramped.

So, getting in a bed will feel nice.

[pants]

Hey, you're supposed to pick that up, man.

It's not about this.

How are you feeling, James?

- I'm all right. - Hmm?

- I'm all right. - Are you sure?

Just take your time, okay?

- I'm cool. - You're breathing okay?

Your legs hurt?

Come on, let's go.

That was a lot.

But I'm gonna keep pushing forward.

My plan is to just do the same as I did this day.

Over the next few days until we get there.

And then I think it's three days to my appointment

with Dr. Now.

I'm just gonna stay steady with my pain

and hopefully I'll make it by then.

[snoring]

We've just been able to roll into Dr. Now's place.

It's taken a total of three days,

but I pretty much was able to do with that plan

and stay steady with my pain.

[Cheyenne] You ready, James?

Let's go get 'em.

Let's go see what Dr. Now is talking about it.

Whoo, it is hot.

You need help, James?

I'm getting my legs together.

- Give me, give me a moment. - Yeah, I see your feet little ashy there.

My nervousness about seeing him today,

it's mostly for what it's gonna take to get his help.

Oh, my leg.

You wobbling?

Come on.

But I wouldn't have come all this way

if I hadn't prepared myself to do that.

So, I'm ready to hear that as long as it means

I'm gonna get the help I need to get a better life.

It's hot as hell, boy. I didn't know it's this hot out here.

James.

Let's go, James.

It's been a little while since I've got my weight.

But, the last time I was about 600 pounds.

And that's where I'm expected to be at.

Okay, you want to step up on the scale?

But I'm really hoping finding out my weight today

doesn't show me that it's a lot higher than that.

Oh, my gosh. This will be announced.

I'm down at Dr. Now's to see him for help with my weight.

And I'm about to find out what my weight is up to

and I'm hoping it's around 600 like I think.

Your weight is 625.

That's the range I was expecting.

So, I'm happy about that.

But, all this walking and moving around

is taking too much of a toll on me.

I'm gonna stay on my knees.

I been cramped up in a car for days.

My legs just get me now.

- You think you ready, you need me to help you? - I'm good.

We're gonna go to room five.

I'm exhausted from traveling to here.

With my weight where it is.

It's a lot on me.

But, I'm here to get help with that.

Because I need to change that.

- You okay? - Yeah.

That's took a lot out of you?

[knocking at door]

- Hello. - Hey, Dr. Now, how are you doing?

- Hi, Dr. Now. - Y'all doing okay?

- Yeah, how you doing? - Yes, we are.

- What about you? - Good. I'm doing well.

- You must be James. - Yes, I am.

- And who's this young lady? - That's my cousin Cheyenne.

Cheyenne, I'm his cousin Cheyenne.

All right. So, you all came all the way from New York, huh?

- Yes, sir. - What brought you from New York?

Weight loss surgery, Dr. Now. I need to get this weight off for me.

Okay, so you're 625 pounds

and you have a BMI of almost 104.

Is this the highest weight you have been?

- Yes, sir. - Okay, so how do you think you got to this point?

Eating.

Well, I can't argue with that. So, tell me about your eating habit.

Oh, it's not good. Um, I'm eating outside foods.

I'm not able to cook for myself because I'm not...

my cooking is not that good.

So, I'm constantly buying food outside.

You know, um, on a day to day basis.

Lunch, breakfast, dinner.

It's being getting unhealthy meals from outside delivered to my home

every day.

So, you eat mostly what you order?

Yeah, I order food, yeah, delivery.

Well, they can deliver salads.

So, the issue is the food you're choosing

and the amount you're eating.

So, what is driving you to eat like that?

Ah, lately, it's been depression lately.

- So, you eating because of depression? - Yes.

I believe so.

Because of my weight.

So, you're depressed because of your weight

and your weight is the depression,

then you eat?

Yes, so it's leading me to depression.

That's what you call a vicious circle?

- I guess so. - All right,

and so what have you done to change that?

I mean, you know, I just, I haven't done anything

to be honest with you. I just, I just blocked myself off

from the world. Um...

You know...

depression is because I wanna go out, how people look at me,

how I'm treated out in the real world and stuff like that.

So, I just block out the world and I just stay home and just eat.

So, what is your expectation coming here

if you haven't been willing to change your situation on your own?

Dr. Now, I'm here to see you because I want to do

whatever it takes, like...

You just lead me the right way and I'll follow.

I just want to get it done. I just...

Well, James, I can give you direction,

but there's gonna be no magic about it.

And so, you expect that you continue doing

what you're doing, and I make you lose weight,

- that's not going to happen. - Right.

And up to you to have the motivation to do that.

- You think can do that. - Yes, sir.

All right. So, currently, how's your activity?

Uh, walking is tough. Walking is tough, like...

taking a couple of steps and I'm just wondering,

um, well guess what with my lower back.

That's... my lower back, my knees and now my ankle.

And the more inactive we get, the higher the chances

of that happening are.

The way you're right now, you can only walk ten step.

This very dangerous situation.

So, you need to change your eating habit right away.

Because ultimately, weight loss surgery

is going to be the only solution for your problem.

Because this is a disease, metabolic disease

that you inherit from your parents.

And the only way we can change that

and do weight loss surgery.

But, the obstacle course that you have is to get yourself

to the point that surgery's going to be safe for you.

- Okay? - I got it.

- So, do you think you can do all that? - Yes, sir.

- Yes. - Okay.

So, eating three times a day is fine.

No snack in between the meal, alcohol is completely off

and you need to watch the calorie content of what you eating.

Make sure it's around 400 calories per meal

and make sure that is a high protein and no carb in it, okay?

- Okay. - So, I'm gonna give you some stuff I want you

to read every night.

Go over it every now, make sure you understand it

and see what you have done wrong with your eating habit.

- Okay. - And see if you can correct that for tomorrow.

- Okay? - Okay.

But you're gonna have to start doing your part

in changing your eating habit right away

because we're running out of time, you know,

it's a very dangerous situation that you're in.

So, think you can do that?

Yes, sir.

- I know I can. - The only way you can lose weight

is to reduce your calorie intake, okay?

So, I'm going to give you some instruction

that has a 1200 calorie a day,

high protein, low carb diet

that I want you to start following now.

And it has a few exercises that I want you to start doing twice a day, okay?

- Okay. - And if you follow that,

you should very easily be able to lose at least 80 pounds

- over the next two months. - In two months?

Yeah, okay?

That's gonna be easy goal to do if you stick with

the 1200 calorie diet.

Okay?

That's a goal I'm gonna give you

and if you do that, we're gonna go ahead

and ask you to move down to Houston to get you in our program.

But, if you're not able to do that,

then there is not much we can do.

- Okay? - Okay.

Because there's no way right now we can get you

to lose weight unless you change your eating habits.

Okay?

And help you work on what you need to be successful

for the long term.

So, first thing is to change your eating habit

and try to lose some weight, okay?

- So I'm gonna bring some stuff for you. - Okay, okay.

- All right, I'll be back. - All right.

Well...

No more cheeseburgers.

My big concern with James is that he's not as motivated as he says,

I have no doubt he wants to change

and he sees how important it is.

He does that right now.

But I think he believes there's gonna be some level

of magic solution with what we give him

and that he doesn't fully realize how hard

this process is going to be for him because

it's going to all depend on his willingness

and drive to turn his own life around.

The travel... The whole moving down here is gonna... that's, that's...

I mean, I'm not gonna say it's a problem, it's just...

And I'm already, I don't know, that's, that's something

I have to really focus on how I'm a do that.

The moving down here is going to be really tough.

- All right, James. - Okay.

Here's what I got for you,

that I want you to read every night

and this the food that you need to avoid.

Okay?

So, you go over this and motivate yourself

and see what you can do.

- Okay? - All right, any questions?

No, that's it.

- So, you think you can do all this? - Yes, sir.

All right. That's good.

So, we'll give you all the opportunity to do that.

- Okay. - All right, James, from this point,

- everything gonna be up to you. - Okay.

- Okay? All right. - Okay.

Let's do it.

All right, if you need anything, give me a call.

- Thank you, Doctor. - Thank you, Dr. Now.

You're welcome. Have a safe trip back home.

- Thank you so much. - Thank you.

- All right, Doctor. - Nice to meet you.

Nice meeting you too.

Damn. 80 pounds?

You can do it, James.

- It's easier said than done. - In two months?

- Two months. - We're good, we're good.

I know Dr. Now will need something from me, but that's a lot.

And I wasn't expecting that.

Basically, it means I got to cut off all the food I'm eating now.

All the high calorie fried foods I like immediately.

Like, yesterday.

Sugar stuff, all that stuff.

Red velvet cake no more. That's it.

It's over.

You know, I have to go and prepare myself

for the next two months.

Like, all those things is out the window.

I gotta, I gotta find healthy alternatives.

So, I can, um, try to lose weight.

It's time for that, um, a little workout, bro.

- So, you ready? - [sighs] You think I can do it, B?

- Definitely. - All right, let's do this, B.

[grunts] Help me.

[grunts] Good looking homie.

Good looking.

After going to see Dr. Now, I've started doing the changes

I need according to his instructions.

Here goes nothing.

Dr. Now, it's me and you.

It's been like a life overhaul for the past couple of weeks

for me because I'm doing everything different,

you know, and I'm trying my best.

And, you know, it's been tough because I had to give up

a lot of what I like.

For my exercises, I've been doing them

twice a day like I'm supposed to.

And I stuck to those even though

they haven't been easy.

My diet's is doing good too.

Cheyenne has been helping me by coming over and helping me

make the healthier option instead of my usual foods.

Because if I'm alone, I'm going to eat more

because the temptation is harder.

And there's days where there's more of a struggle,

and I don't make it without giving something I shouldn't.

And I think that's just part of the transition, you know.

You're ready to bust down some food?

Yeah. Inspector Gadget.

Mmm.

[Cheyenne] What's up with the cheese?

I need a little flavor.

Just relax, I'm telling you it's nothing to... I won't lie to you.

I'm taking this serious, I won't lie to you.

This is nothing but protein here.

The doctor says high protein, low carb diet.

So, in my bowl.

I have steak.

-Chicken, beans, lettuce, -Mm-hmm.

- Some cheese. - And cheese, that's it.

Cheese is not on my list of things that I can't have,

so that's why cheese is on there.

If cheese wasn't on it, I wouldn't have it.

- Is that all you're gonna eat today? - Yeah, it's all I need.

A meal now and a meal later.

I ate half on my plate and you'll save the other for later.

And I'm full.

I'm full.

This is my dinner for tonight.

- You ready to go do some exercise? - Yeah.

Come on, let's go.

- You think you can be able to exercise in that? - Yeah.

The only issues I've been having with the exercises

is the walking.

I haven't been able to work up to walking up and down the stairs every day.

But Cheyenne been telling me that I need to start by doing

one thing of stairs a few times every day.

I told her I'll try to do that with her today

because I'm ready to get working everywhere I need,

as long as my body could handle it.

You can do it.

[pants]

Got one more round to go.

- One more and you're done. - One more after this.

You're not saying anything.

[pants]

- One... - [grunts]

Get upstairs, but you got this.

You almost finished.

Might have to get you a trainer.

Yay, you did it. Can I have a hug or something? My God.

You see? You did it.

This is the most I've ever worked myself

and it's hard, but it feels good.

And I'll keep doing it.

How'd you feel?

What you thinking?

Cheyenne, I can't talk. I'm trying to catch my breath.

- [laughs] - Damn.

These stairs is brutal.

The past month took an unexpected turn,

a couple of weeks ago because my dad

suddenly passed away.

And, so that was a hard moment for me and my family.

Even though he wasn't around as much growing up.

He was still my dad and to lose him suddenly

was a shock.

And it's been an unexpected setback for me.

But, the tragedy has not pushed me off course.

You know, it's made some harder moments,

but I'm still trying to do everything that I need.

How you doing? What's new?

You went to the laundry for me?

Yeah, how soon is your appointment?

- I got an appointment with Dr. Now in 10 minutes. - 10 minutes?

All right, let's set this up, okay?

I'm not gonna be able to make it back down to Dr. Now

at my scheduled time in a week.

So, I called his office and asked him

if I could set up a video call

and let him know what's going on and communicate

to him one on one that I'm still dedicated

to doing this program

because I don't want him wondering if there's an issue

with my commitment,

because there's not,

I just got to take care of my mom right now and be there for her.

What's going on, Dr. Now?

Hi, James, how are you doing?

I'm okay, Doc, how you doing?

I'm good, James. Thank you for asking.

Well, James, how is your progress coming along?

It's good, Dr. Now.

Do you think you lost any weight?

I think I'm doing well. It's been hard,

but I've been working at it.

I feel much better from the last time I seen you.

And I feel like my stamina went up with all the workouts

that I've been doing. So, I see all of that as progress.

Well, I'm glad to hear that, but, James, it doesn't look

like you have lost a lot of weight.

But, we'll find out

when next week you get up on the scale

and as you're calling me to tell me you wanna change your appointment?

Yes, Dr. Now, that's what I wanted to talk to you about

because I had a death in the family.

My father passed away unexpectedly a couple of weeks ago.

So, it's kind of difficult for me to come and see you right now.

So, I want to ask you if it's possible that

you can reschedule, but I also want to tell you

one on one that I've been working really, really hard, Dr. Now.

And I'm 100% committed to completing your program.

I'm just asking for more time, just like another month, Dr. Now.

And I would definitely, I would really, really appreciate it

if I could get more time, so I can make more progress.

It seems you have made progress, but not to your goal yet?

Yes, Dr. Now, because I've been working hard,

and I'm trying my best, but, honestly, I think I've made progress.

But, I think I could do more progress.

And I really want to meet the goal that you gave me.

All right, James, considering what you have going on.

I'm going to give you another month

and I'm going to keep your goal the same.

You need to lose 75 pounds by the next month,

but you need to take this seriously, no matter what

you're going through.

- Okay? - Understood.

The only thing that will change is losing weight

and hard time in your life right now doesn't mean

that it's acceptable for not losing your weight.

No problem, Doc, I got you.

I really want to do this and then I'll come down to Texas

and I'll prove to you and I'll show you that I lost the weight.

All right, James, I'm sorry for your loss

and that you're going through a hard time right now.

If you need anything, you may call,

but otherwise, we'll see you in a month and see how you're doing, okay?

No problem. Thank you, Doc.

All right. Bye, James.

Bye.

I understand the things that Dr. Now was saying,

but I feel like I was able to communicate with him

that I'm still committed to his program

and I'm not backing down from it.

And as soon as I can and I'm able to move past

this time of my life.

I'm gonna be back down and show him my progress.

Because I know I have to get my life right

and I'm committed to doing that, no matter what.

- You're tired? - Mm-hmm.

I'm heading to Cheyenne's place with her right now.

She wanted me to get out of the house because

I've been struggling with being depressed,

with the loss of my dad still.

It's been hard on me.

I just been kind of struggling more

and she knows I don't like going out in public.

And I'm hoping it does help me 'cause I know

I have to get back at it with Dr. Now's program,

so I can have weight loss surgery.

My exercises been the hardest to keep up with recently.

I put my stuff here.

James.

- What's cracking? - Ain't nothing, what's up?

Just chilling. What's new. How was your week?

I'm all right. Yeah, I'm starving.

You're always hungry.

So, you want something to eat?

Yeah, what you got?

I got chicken, broccoli...

- We could do jerk chicken... - And broccoli?

All right.

And lemme give my hug because I ain't give my hug yet.

- Ah. - Thank you, cuz, I appreciate you.

No problem.

So, you ready for Texas?

Yeah, man.

I have two more weeks until my rescheduled appointment

with Dr. Now.

I'm trying to be mindful of the timeline I have

to make the progress I need.

I already got extra time.

I have to make good on what I'm supposed to do.

- James, you want it peppery? - Yes, ma'am, I love with a little spice.

It's just been hard.

You know, I got Cheyenne's support.

And she's been a big help. And I'm thankful for that.

James, as long you stick with it.

Don't give up, you will succeed.

I know I could do it. I'm not gonna give up.

You better not.

I'm coming right now. You ready?

Yeah.

'Cause support has been integral for me.

It help keep me motivated.

See? And I wake up.

Yum, yum, yum.

Say a little prayer before we eat.

Lord, I pray that James get to Texas safe.

And he lets everybody knows that

he's out there.

Lord, I pray that you granted us food to eat.

- And, amen. - Amen.

- Hmm. - It's good.

Yesterday, I called Dr. Now's office

- to be proactive again... - [knocking at door]

Because I know that I wasn't going to be able

to depart for Houston in time to make my appointment

I have with him next week.

I know that it's going to be a second time

that I had to miss a scheduled appointment with Dr. Now

and that I'm pushing my limits, but it's all been out

of my hands because of how my family has needed me

and how hard this time is still for all of us.

And it's important to all of us that we're together

during this time

to support each other.

What's up, bro?

Just got back. Just got your mail.

[indistinct]

You know, I'm trying my best.

And I thought having another month will give me

what I needed to get past this.

Me and my whole family are still dealing with a lot of grief.

So, I have to have a little more time

and I know Dr. Now is not gonna be happy about that request

coming a second time.

I'm hoping he's at least understanding of my situation.

And he sees that I'm still just as committed

and it's just life and I'm doing what I can

to keep moving and get back to him to do his program.

All right, I'm seeing nothing important.

I got a doctor's appointment to finish.

I'm waiting for Cheyenne to come through with the...

the lap-- I got to invest in a laptop.

- So, I definitely got to do because 'cause, uh... - Yeah, yeah.

I can't be having Cheyenne coming from Brooklyn

to bring the laptop over

just for me to get a doctor's appointment.

[knocking at door]

Who is it?

Cheyenne.

James.

- Hey, James. - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I got a doctor's appointment.

[Cheyenne] Well, let's see what Dr. Now is going to say.

Let's see, let's see, let's see.

Since you got your appointment, I'm just giving you your privacy.

- Cool, cool, all right. - I'll go in the back.

I got some stuff in the fridge if you want to have a drink or something?

- No problem. - Yeah, sure.

I'll probably make me something to eat.

- Good looking, bro. I appreciate you. - I'll be back.

[Skype ringing]

Hello. Hi, James, how you doing?

Hey, Dr. Now, what's going on?

Well, you tell me because I was expecting that

in one month, you'll be coming down

and visit us, but you wanted to do a call again.

So, apparently, there has been more problem?

Yeah. This time, it's still really tough for me.

I'm just trying to take it day by day.

I got a lot of obligations right now.

So, to deal with my family and that's got to be,

like, my main focus right now.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that and I'm sorry that

your family is going through all that.

But then, the issue is that your health

cannot go by the wayside.

Because that any time,

any number of small issues can push your body past its limit

and if that happens, this is not going to be a situation

that you're going to be able to survive.

So, soon, it's going to be very dangerous situation for you.

Doc, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not giving up.

I just need more time right now.

So, I could spend with my family as we grieve right now.

You know, I'm trying, but I got a lot on my shoulders

and my family is my main focus right now.

I didn't say I think you've given up, James.

That's not the issue.

The issue is you can't afford to keep using life

as an excuse not to get healthy

because we don't have a lot of time at your weight.

So, you need to take this seriously

and do this stuff before you run out of time and it's too late.

I'm really taking it serious, Doc.

It's just that I'm just dealing with tragedy right now.

But, I'm still doing everything I need, you know,

I'm a do it. I just need time.

All right, James, I'm willing to move your appointment for another month again

because of your situation and your family.

Thank you, Doc. I appreciate it.

If we do that, would you be able to do that by then?

Yeah, definitely for sure.

All right, James.

So, I want to keep your goal the same,

to lose 75 pounds in over the next month.

But, even if you hit your goal,

you're gonna have to make sure and if you're gonna stick with it.

And show me you can do that before I approve you

for weight loss surgery.

Because, this will be four months now

that I've given you to lose 75 pounds.

So, you have a lot of hard work to do to show me that you're ready to move ahead.

I understand it, Doc. I got it. I got it.

I will. I got you and I thank you

for granting me more time and I appreciate that.

Okay, James, I'll see you in a month

and if you need anything, before then, you may call.

No problem, Doc. Thanks a lot.

You're welcome and you take care.

- You too, Doc. - Bye now.

Later.

[sighs]

I'm glad Doc understood, but I know he's doubting me right now.

And I'm gonna prove to him that I mean everything

that I'm saying.

You know, I'm gonna get past this

and come out the other end.

And it just takes time and I can't control that.

But, I'm still doing what I need to stay on track.

And here soon, I know I'm going to be able to go back down

and show him the proof of all I've been saying to him.

I'm in Texas right now. Um...

I'm gonna see the doctor.

We in the beehive.

You know.

This is Beyoncé's territory. Probably not here, but, you know...

Dr. Now told me I was pushing my limits of my timeframe,

not having a follow up.

You know, I've been trying to plan to come down.

But, my family's still been struggling.

So, I know I was going to need more time.

But, I couldn't bring myself to call Dr. Now

and tell him the same thing for a third time.

So, I avoided it.

But then, he called me and told me I need to commit

or move on.

But Dr. Now told me I had too much time.

So I'm back down now.

I did it. I came here.

[clears throat]

This time we flew and I think being able to get

on the plane was wearing on me

and it took a lot out of me,

but I handled it well, you know.

- James. - Yes.

And, hopefully, I'm going to be able to show Dr. Now the progress.

Go ahead and step on.

At my last appointment, I was at 625

and Dr. Now gave me a 75 pound weight loss goal.

And if I made that, I'm gonna be under 550 today.

We're gonna go to room number five.

- Thank you. - That's progress at least.

I thought it'd be more, but I made it to the 500,

so, I feel good about that.

I know, Dr. Now will probably be focused on

how it's not fully to my goal,

but at least I could show him that I'm moving in the direction

he told me to improve my life.

Even with everything going on,

this shows a lot of effort,

even if it's not where he told me to get,

but I'm happy to, at least, be losing

and I'm able to show him that today.

And, hopefully, it's enough for him.

[knocking at door]

- Hello. - Hello.

- Dr. Now, how are you doing, Dr. Now? - I'm doing good.

How y'all doing?

- Okay. - Fine.

All right.

James, how are you getting along?

Um, I mean,

I guess I'm getting along okay.

How you holding up with the stress?

You know, not easy losing a parent.

That was like the blow, you know, but I'm just trying

to get it, I'm just trying to get through it, that's it.

Just trying to get through it.

Well, I'm glad you made it back down here

and that you lost some weight.

- That's what it looked like. - Well, you know,

it's been about six months and you lost 28 pounds,

that's about four to five pounds a month.

And which is not very big weight loss.

So, you're still eating, like, four to 5000 calories a day.

So, you need to cut back on that and get your weight down

because the situation could still become critical

at any moment and losing weight that slowly

isn't going to avoid that.

That means that the time is the essence for you.

And you have to speed up the process of getting your weight down.

- Right, right. - So, you need to keep making changes to your diet.

I did, Dr. Now.

It's just with my father passing, it got harder and I slipped up.

James, you need to decide if you want to change your life or not.

Because at the current rate of your progress,

being almost 600 pounds, you know, you got a long way to go.

That'll be 10 years before you get there.

If I lose it, you're right, you're right.

All right? So what changes you have made on your eating habit?

Um, what I did was I stopped eating out, really.

I stopped eating out, I started just like cooking my own meals

and I'm preparing my own stuff

and stayed away from fried foods and stuff like that.

And, so, I kind of took control of what I was eating

instead of just buying it and getting it delivered and stuff.

So, I made sure that I, you know, everything stayed healthy.

I ate salads, vegetables,

um, and a lot of full grilled, I bought me, um...

I bought me an air fryer.

So, now with the air fryer, everything is done in the air fryer.

Takes away the grease, and it's a much healthier option.

- No, but you're still eating too many calories. - Okay.

Do you have the support of your family to help you

improve your eating habits?

Yes, Cheyenne has been helping me out.

She helps me out when she come around.

Okay, that's good.

You don't seem to have a weight problem,

so are you able to have positive influence on him?

I'm the one that convinced him to get an air fryer to cook for himself.

So, he can know where he's putting inside his body.

Instead of just eating out 'cause when you eat out,

you don't really know what's going in it.

Well, that's good because James seems like he needs

a lot of help and reinforcement.

Yeah, but, recently he's been going through a lot of problems

like family wise.

-So, his pop's -I understand that, but...

just recently passed.

I know it's been a hard time. I understand that.

But, you know, no event in life justified to be unhealthy

because, you know, if he's not healthy,

he's going to be next tragedy in family too.

- You're right about that. - And that's not something good.

So, no matter the circumstances

or excuses, there's still gonna be the same consequences

to unhealthy choices.

So, you know, to convince yourself that

I'm going to eat whatever, whenever because

there is so much stress in my life,

it's not gonna end well because it will just be

a vicious cycle.

Like, you mentioned the first time you were here, James.

You get depressed and then you eat.

All right.

But I set you up to talk to Dr. Paradise about

what you're going through.

You're right, Doc, I got it.

All right, so, James, here's the deal,

as long as you're not losing weight

and you live so far from here.

There's no point for you to come down and visit

if you're not losing any weight.

- All right. - So, we're gotta make arrangement

that we check your weight in a clinic up there

- Okay. - And make sure that you're making good progress

before you come back now here.

Because if you don't eat properly and you don't lose weight,

the surgery is not going to be a good option for you.

- All right. - And so, if we are not going to move ahead with you,

there's no need to keep doing this, okay?

So, tighten up your eating habit more.

Eat two or three times a day, make sure you don't eat between the meals.

- Okay. - And do daily exercise and if you do that,

you can easily lose 30 pounds a month.

- Okay. - Okay?

Let's raise it your weight and lose 30 pounds a month

in three months, you should be able to lose 100 pounds.

So, what I want to see at a minimum over the next few months

is for you to lose the other 50 pounds

you owe me from the goal I gave you.

- Okay? - Okay.

So, we arranged to have a clinic up there

and if you stay with the program,

you're able to lose enough weight

then we get to come down here.

- Okay. - But, there's no point of coming down here,

unless we have a meaningful weight loss,

and I've got to be necessary, okay?

- Got it. - Stick to 1200 calorie diet and do your exercises.

- Thank you. - All right.

And if you need anything before then, let me know.

Okay. No problem, Doctor. Thank you.

- Thank you so much, Doc. - All right.

- We'll see you later. - All right, Doc.

- See you later. - Bye now.

- Later. - Later.

You okay?

I'm glad James at least made some progress,

but it is clear he's still been lacking the motivation

he needs to turn his life around.

I know this has been a hard time for him and his family.

But, using his circumstances as an excuse to overeat

and go to food for comfort is nothing new for James.

This is all just part of the same pattern,

an unhealthy cycle he's been following for most of his life.

So, he's going to have to decide if he wants

to keep making excuses or do what he needs

to get healthy no matter what.

[James] I get Dr. Now and what he's saying,

I know he's right.

It's just easier said than done.

You know what I mean?

But, I'm gonna go back and do better and take care

of my health.

Because, I can't let it fall by the wayside.

So, as hard as it was to come back down here at this time,

I'm glad I did because

I think it's helping me snap out of it to do what I need.

- Hey, James. - Hey, James.

James, let's go, let's go, let's go.

- Let's go. - You ready?

Let's go to the park, oh. Let's go.

[James] That crazy.

- Exercise. - All right, I mean, let's go, I mean...

Let's go, let's go, let's go.

Since coming back from my last appointment with Dr. Now,

I tried to get my motivation up to do better.

Did I bring my phone?

All right, these are the stairs of hell.

Let's go.

- Up the stairs. - Let's go to the park.

Yes, this exercise has now begun.

[James] I still can't make the walk all the way to the park.

Even though it's just a few minutes' drive away.

So, we have to get a ride for that.

But I know if I keep this up, I'll be able to handle that walk

real soon.

Man, that's a bus stop.

Gone.

- Middle seat. - Middle seat.

Getting out and just going outside and sitting in

the park felt great.

I used to love that before I got too big.

And I stopped doing things like that years ago.

Before I went to see Dr. Now, it'd been half a year or longer

since I've been out of my place.

So, this helps me feel like things is just almost normal again.

But, the moment usually turns on me.

That's the part that starts when I get

that first look from someone.

Where I know what they thinking and it's not positive,

so that part makes coming outside a different experience.

I kind of feel like it ruins the moment for me.

No, that stupid [bleep] lookin' at us like I'm [bleep]

And I'm [bleep] no more, yo.

Don't worry about her, she look like

an animal herself.

- And nobody's actually really looking at you. - Yeah.

In society, they're normal, I'm not normal, obviously.

So, how can you preach to me and tell me it's okay,

they're not looking at me.

They're not looking at you. It sucks like nobody understands.

I've been locked up in a house for a minute,

so to be around all these people

and be in a city like this...

it's hard, it's hard, it's, you know.

I know you feel uncomfortable right now, but this is a big step.

It's just one step at a time.

At one point, I couldn't even walk to my kitchen.

So, for me to be able to come outside,

come down the stairs, able to walk back and forth.

Feel a little better, I'm not there where I need to be.

But it's a progress in motion.

So, that encourages me because I want to do

Dr. Now's program and get his help.

So, I'm trying to get on track to do that.

I missed the mark last time and I don't want to do that again.

And I know to make sure of that,

I have to try harder and do better.

So, that is my focus.

I'm gonna be talking to the therapist today.

Here, James.

Here is your, here's the laptop.

You got an appointment.

Here's your bottle of water.

Thank you.

He's going to talk to me about my depression,

with the death of my father and my emotions and stuff like that.

And I'm hoping it will be a step that helps me today.

So, I'm gonna start moving past this place I'm in

because it's been messing me up in so many ways.

And I'm just ready to move on.

I just don't know how.

So, hopefully, this will lead me in a direction to help me do that.

[Skype ringing]

Hi there, James.

How you doing?

I'm well. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

I don't know that much about you.

I'm 38. I'm from Brooklyn, New York.

- So, you grew up in Brooklyn? - Yeah, born and raised.

So, tell me about your house growing up,

who lived in your house with you?

Um, growing up, yeah, my mother, my grandmother,

my cousin.

Uh, rest in peace to him and my brother. And me. That's it.

What happened to your cousin?

He died. He, um, he was sick.

He had, like, kidney failure.

- When did, when did that happen? - 2005.

That sounds like that was a big thing in your life when you lost him.

Yeah.

He ain't the only one I lost. I just buried my dad.

- Oh, I'm so sorry. - Yeah.

I'm so sorry.

How did your dad pass?

Um, his heart stopped.

He fell and his heart stopped. And then that was it.

It just stopped. He, we tried to resuscitate him,

but it didn't work.

Wow. How are you doing with that?

It ain't done away, you know what I'm saying? I mean...

- You felt connected to him? - Yeah.

Who was feeding you, James?

My mom fed me a lot, like, when she was home,

my mom worked, but, you know, she come home at night.

- And... - Okay.

She'd come home, she'll feed me and it would be like

large portions because we eat rice.

Our culture eat rice.

- We eat heavy. - They were never worried about your weight?

Now she is, back then, then it wasn't that big of a deal

because I wasn't fat, like, big like this.

So, how do you think you got so big?

You know what, my weight and stuff like that.

I've been very depressed.

- Um... - Sure.

Maybe because of that, because, like, I don't go nowhere.

I sit in the house.

And it's like everybody, like the world is moving without me.

That's how I feel.

Like, the only time I can see them having fun

is if I call them and I'm FaceTiming with them

and they they all are enjoying they life and I'm in the bed

watching television or whatever.

Are you so big that you can't really get around?

I could get around, but as I have a, like, anxiety issue,

like, I hate when people look at me, it makes me mad.

Yeah, it sounds like you're in the house for multiple reasons.

What is your size, but then maybe a little anxiety

about people looking at you?

Yeah, definitely.

I feel like a fish in a fish bowl.

It's interesting, James, because the very thing

that's gonna make that better.

It's gonna help you lose the weight,

it's the thing that you're afraid to do,

which is to get more active and to be more engaged.

Being up in that apartment by yourself.

I think that's where the weight came on.

Is, is getting outside most days is probably

your number one homework.

So, James, can I get you to commit to spending some time

outside, maybe going to visit a park?

Sure, yeah, I could commit to that.

- Okay. - I could commit to that, yeah.

I want to come up with a homework related to your dad.

Is he buried somewhere?

Yeah, he, um, in Brooklyn.

If you're going to go visit your dad's grave,

I want you to put a little something together.

- Okay. - Make a note or a poem or something.

Something that you can say to him when you're there.

- Okay. - It seems like you really loved him.

Yeah.

- He's my father, man. - Yeah.

And, you know, one of the, one of the very best things

you can do to honor his memory,

- is to lose the weight and live on. - Yes.

And be successful.

- Yes. - I'm sure that's what he wanted for you.

No, I know that's what he wanted for me.

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay.

James, been really good talking to you.

All right, Dr. Paradise. All right.

This was very interesting.

I'll write a letter when I get a chance, I'll...

All right, I'm cool.

I think the conversation I had with Dr. Paradise was good for me,

because I feel like he gave me some insight

on some steps to do to try and move forward

and give me some things to think about with myself.

So, I'm going to do all that I can with my diet and exercises,

and what Dr. Paradise discussed with me today.

And, hopefully, it'll do what they intended to do,

by helping me get to where I need because

I know I'm running out of time.

- You ready to do this? - Yeah.

Me and Cheyenne is going to the pier today.

I'm going there to write a letter to my dad

that Dr. Paradise discussed with me.

I decided to go there and do it and read it.

Because my dad took me there a lot when I was young.

You know, we didn't spend a lot of time together.

But when we did, he always take me to the water.

That's more of a place of connection I have with him

than anywhere else.

I'm doing it because I think it will be good at the end.

It's just not gonna be an easy thing for me.

I miss being out here.

I remember when my dad used to come to Thanksgiving dinner

and that's, like, one of the times I love

because my mom would cook.

It was like a whole family setting which I never had growing up.

So, we sat at the table and we ate together. That was dope.

I really liked that. I always wanted to do it.

So, when he did it.

You know, it was, it was cool. I like that a lot.

I don't think I realized losing my pops would mean for such

a big hold on me because he wasn't there for most of my life.

I guess I expected that to change at some point.

But now it won't. That's a huge loss for me.

And it hits me harder than I expected.

Yep, I wanna write it out to my dad.

Okay.

I didn't expect to miss him like I have

and I think that's what I want to tell him the most,

that I miss him and I'm always gonna carry him

with me, no matter what.

I tell him bye for now, you know?

I believe I see him again one day, but for now,

that page has turned.

And I haven't said my goodbyes to him.

Not even at the funeral and I think it will be helpful for me

to have have that closure to see him another time.

Yeah, for us that's past.

One day, I think we'll have it again.

I finished writing the letter for my daddy.

So, you ready to spread it to the world?

All right.

Hey, Dad, I miss you a lot.

I wish you was here.

[Cheyenne] Come on, I got you.

When you passed, I was upset and heartbroken.

I think about you all the time and I'm happy I attended your funeral.

You will forever be great.

And you will forever be in our hearts till we meet again.

Love you, Pops.

- I like that. This was nice. - Thanks.

That's for my daddy.

I miss you, Daddy.

I do feel better right now.

So I'll keep taking these steps as best as I can.

Hopefully, in the end, it helps get me to where I need to be.

That was brave. That was very brave.

- Thanks. - 'Cause it takes a lot.

- So, I'm proud of you to that. - Thanks.

Okay? It's not something easy.

Thanks for coming, man. Thanks, man. I appreciate you.

- Thank you, man. - That's what family's for, James.

- That's what family's for. - You're a great cousin.

I try.

We're gonna get some good results today.

I head in to an appointment at a local clinic to see

what my weight's at and hopefully show Dr. Now, some good progress.

You know, I took Dr Now's warning last time very seriously.

But, I'm kind of getting to a breaking point,

for my chances for the program.

So, I use that motivation to work the most I can

these past months.

James, we're ready for you.

Okay.

- Need any help? - No, I got it.

And I think I'm gonna have my best chance yet

to show Dr. Now what I wanted to show from the beginning.

Last appointment, I was down to 585 and Dr. Now told me

that I have to lose at least 50 pounds.

I needed to meet my goal.

If I did that, I should be under 535.

543, so that is literally about 42 pounds down, okay?

I feel very good with that number in progress.

Seeing that amount of weight loss come out, it's very satisfying.

It's not a specific goal, but it's in range.

So, I feel really good right now.

- Hi, James. - How you doing, Dr. Now?

All right, I'm doing well.

James, looks like you're making some progress.

Yes, sir.

So, what changes you made with your eating habit?

I started eating more healthy

and vegetables in my diet.

I don't go over the max of the 1200 calorie diet you gave me.

Do you think that psychotherapy was helping you?

Yes, sir. It did, it did.

That's, that's the reason why I was able to cut down some more.

Okay, so we wanna make sure you continue with that.

James, is that something you wanted to continue

and stick with the program?

Yes, Dr. Now. I made it this far. I have to continue.

The whole goal is for me to get the surgery

and I'm showing you that I'm committed,

so I'm... the program is definitely a must.

All right, James, since you make progress

and you got close enough to the goal I gave you this time,

we're gonna go ahead and set an appointment for you

in two months and in Houston, okay?

- Okay. - And I want you to lose another 35 pounds by then.

And also, you need to move down to Houston.

If you do all those things, then we're gonna move ahead

with your weight loss surgery.

Thank you, Dr. Now.

Is that something you want to do?

Yes, Dr. Now, I definitely want to get the surgery.

Okay, so, I'll give you two months,

we're gonna work on all that and keep up the good work.

All right, James, I'm proud of you.

That first time I've seen you making good progress,

so, keep it up.

And, at the meantime, if you need anything,

you may call and hopefully I'll see you in two months in Houston.

No problem, Dr. Now, see you then.

- Bye now. - Bye, Dr. Now.

- She said bye. - Bye, Dr. Now.

Let's go.

You need help? You good?

I've been ready to move forward and I'm more dedicated

than ever to do what it takes to make sure of that.

The best outcome for me will be to hear

that I'm approved for weight loss surgery.

But I've known that was how everything is going down,

that I was gonna have to do a lot to prove myself to Dr. Now.

But, I took the step in being able to do that today.

And that feels good.

Having another goal is not ideal,

but I understand it and I'm ready for it.

And I'm at least excited that I'm moving forward

instead of hitting a wall again.

So, I want to keep doing all I can to make sure

I stay in my stride to get my second goal.

[horn toots]

- Mmm. - You tired, James?

I'm all right.

I'm back in Houston finally, to see Dr. Now in person again.

To show him I'm still making the progress I need.

I've worked hard to do that.

And I feel confident I'm going to have positive results

when I get on the scale because I kept the hard work up.

I even done more with Dr. Paradise

to have another session with him.

And I've been working on getting out more

and being in public more.

So, it feels like I'm moving in all the directions I need.

The only thing is I haven't been able to move to Houston yet.

I'm working on that and should be ready to do that soon.

But I came down here and I wanted to show Dr. Now

I'm committed enough to do this to get weight loss surgery.

I'll sit next to you.

James.

Let's go.

At my last appointment, I was 543.

And Dr. Now gave me the goal of losing another 35 pounds today.

So, that should put me at 508 today.

Can you step on the scale?

[clapping] Good job, James. Good job.

Thank you, thank you.

- Go to room five now. - Thank you.

Let's go.

I knew I would make it today.

So, I'm excited to hear his response

to my continued progress.

And I'm excited to hear what he thinks about

my readiness to get weight loss surgery.

[knocking at door]

- Hello, how are y'all doing? - Hi, Dr. Now.

All right, y'all doing okay?

- Yes, we are. - Good.

Well, James, it looks like you're doing great,

you lost 37 pounds, so you got some momentum

- going on. - Yes, sir.

So in total, you lost 119 pounds

which is a good start,

but it's good that you're picking up the pace now.

Yes, sir. I'm picking up the pace and I'm starting to see a difference

and other people are too, you know, my family everywhere,

my support system say I'm doing a great job.

So, that's been encouraging.

Good.

So, how does it feel almost being in the 400s?

I feel much better.

I'm able to do more.

- So, you figured out what to do... - Yeah, yeah,

definitely.

The exercises, everything you told me to do. I've been doing it.

Um, going outside like you said I should,

taking the stairs.

Um, I pulled my eating back even more.

That's great. How about therapy?

How was that helping any?

A lot, he was able to help me conquer that fear

for me to go outside and...

You know, so I did it. I'm doing it and I'm gonna continue to do it.

Good, that seemed like a good progress you're making.

- Yes, sir. - James, I'm going to approve you for weight loss surgery

since you're working hard and making good progress now.

- Yes. - Wonderful news.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Now.

I'm excited, I'm excited, but the problem is, Dr. Now,

I'm not fully moved to Houston yet.

Why don't you move to Houston yet?

Because I'm still tying things down in New York.

I got a couple of things that I got to take care and line up.

You know, like, my place and everything that's in New York.

And, you know, I still got my mother and everybody in New York,

I gotta get that situated.

And once I get that done, then I'm straight here.

All right, well, you got a lot of issues in New York

that you need to take care of,

but don't take too long because if you take too long,

you may go back to old eating habits

and you gain your weight back

because the longer you wait in your old environment right there,

the more chance there is of you falling back

into old habit and so, try to move as soon as you can.

- Okay? - I got it. I got it, Doc.

I'm a do it real soon.

And I want to get this done and I want to be a part of your program,

so that's definitely on my agenda.

Okay, good. So I'm going to set you up

for an appointment for two months.

If you're able to move down here by then,

then we'll do that here.

But if not, then we'll set your appointment in New York

at a local clinic to check out and make sure you're staying on track, okay?

No problem, Doc.

All right, James, I'm proud of your progress, keep it up,

and, hopefully, we'll see you down in Houston

and ready for your weight loss surgery.

That's what I'm waiting for, I'm trying to get it off.

It's time I get it off, Doctor, I wanna live that new life.

Well, good. So, I want you to keep it up

and have a good trip back home.

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

- No problem, Doctor. Thank you so much. - Thank you, Doctor.

- All right. - Y'all take care.

You too now.

[Dr. Now] I'm very glad to see James is working through

what he needs to start making the progress he should.

It took him a while, but at least, he stuck with it,

and I'm proud of him for that.

It seems like the therapy has been helping him a great deal.

So, it will be important he keeps doing that to work on

his emotional issues and healthy coping mechanisms.

Because these are just different steps he needs

to take to get to a good place with those things.

And if he doesn't stick with it,

his progress will only be short lived.

But, at this point, I am confident and James

is ready for weight loss surgery.

And once we take that step with him,

James will have all the tools he needs to get to his target weight.

So, James still has a ways to go.

But, I'm feeling optimistic that we should see

a lot more positive change and good progress

from James here very soon.

I feel good because I accomplished what I came here to do.

You know, I proved myself to Dr. Now

and he knows I mean what I say now.

So, that feels good.

And it feels good to officially have my approval.

So, now my focus is to doing all I need

to stay on track and work to move down here to Houston.

So, I'm going to go back to New York and figure out

my timeline for that.

So, I could keep moving forward to be where I want.

- [clears throat] - Outside,

we're getting a little bit of exercise, James. You got this.

Me and Cheyenne are going to play some basketball

for my exercise today.

So, I could get out some.

I've been trying to make an effort to do that

as much as I can.

As part of the stuff I've been working with Dr. Paradise.

He's been pushing me to go out in public more

and not shy away from that.

To help me get past some of my anxiety of being around people.

[grunts]

I'm still not 100% comfortable being in public.

But I will say, going out like this just feels like

it's helping me to be more comfortable with the idea of being out.

Let's see, we got it.

Oh... [clapping]

You know, it's still not my first choice.

But, I'm starting to learn, at least, how to enjoy it

a little more.

And not worry about other people as much,

but it's still a process.

Work in progress for me.

[pants]

[Cheyenne] You okay?

How you feeling right now, you know, being outside,

being a little active more?

- Hmm? - I'm good, I'm all right.

[chuckles]

Ready? You did good though.

- You proud of me? - Yeah.

Stand up, stand up...

Stand up.

Stand over there.

- This how you wanna do it? - I'm a shoot it from right here.

You think so? You know you're gonna get smoked next, buddy.

And I'm gonna beat you, eh? [chuckles]