All language subtitles for My 600-lb Life S13E01

I'm getting closer
to have my entire life

being confined
because of my weight.

Somewhere
in me is this little
glimmer of hope.

I just wanna 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 gonna be too late.

It's hard.

I refuse
to stop fighting.

I have to do it
for my children.

You worried about me?

Now let's get you up,
check your weight
and see where we stand.

Failure here
would be heartbreaking.

It's way too easy
for me to picture the day

I just give up trying
to get up...

because it's easier
to stay in my chair
that I'm in right now

almost 24X7.

I'm getting closer
to have my entire life

being confined
because of my weight.

I would rather...
...lay in bed

with my wife than being
out here by myself.

But the amount of weight
that pushes down
on my diaphragm

and my chest makes it
kinda hard to breathe
on a regular bed.

-Hey, I'm gonna turn light on.
-Hmm, all right.

You want some
coffee or some juice
or something?

Uh, probably...

Probably some juice
or something.

He's a big guy
and with his weight being

at where it's right now,
I do do a lot of things,

um, around the house such as

I do the laundry,
I take out the trash,
I take care of the dogs.

Mmm.

Yeah.

He gets short of breath
just sometimes walking

from one end of the house
to the other.

It's just hard for him to do.

So I work full time, um,
and I support our family,

I pay the bills
and buy everything.

So I know
he wants to help too,

he's just not able to.

Need me to get you
anything else?

-I'm all right for now.
-Okay.

This way, boy.

When I wake up
and sit up or stand up,

the pain is excruciating.

My hips and my knees,
my legs hurt the most.

And I think a lot of it
has to do with my lymphedema.

But I know it's game over
for me if I ever get

to that point
when I can't get out of bed.

So I force myself to get up
and take a shower.

Standing in the shower
for more than just
a couple minutes

is just unbearable to me.

It's very hard
to wash everything.

And I basically refuse
to have help

because of what little shred
of being a man left in me.

Like, I just don't ask my wife
to do that stuff.

So usually, after the shower,

getting dressed for the day
is definitely hard.

It takes a lot of energy
to put your pants on
when you're my size.

And then, I start
thinking about breakfast.

Excited, you know, to get
some-- some food,
something to eat.

Hi, got a little bit time
left on the biscuits.

You don't want gravy?

-No.
-Okay.

You can start on the eggs.

I feel like
it's my place to cook

I've put myself
into this situation.

It's my responsibility.

Back's starting to hurt.

And if I want it,

I should be able to cook it
and make it myself.

And...

So I do.

Egg's pretty good.

The addiction to my food
probably always began
with home troubles.

I grew up with
a pretty hard childhood.

I definitely... definitely
grew up, uh, very, very odd.

We did have electricity

but we did not have
sewage or plumbing.

We got our water
from a garden hose
that we ran

from my grandmother's house
next door.

There's been times where
we were so much out of food

that we'd have, like,
popcorn for dinner.

And my mom would always say,
"You know, you need to make
sure you eat everything,"

because she didn't want me
to be hungry later on.

When she had the money
to buy it, my mom would make

the deep fried foods that
I liked to make me happy,

and that's kinda how it,
I think, started for me.

My dad was an alcoholic,
and even though
he would work everyday,

he would drink after work

or drink as soon as he had
the chance to do so.

And my father's alcoholism
was, uh, very hard on us.

I remember my dad getting
drunk a lot, yelling at us,

and then he would
say things that were--
were hurtful,

and it was mostly
aimed at my mom.

He would also take it out
on my brother and I as well.

It was really hard to cope.

So I'd just eat and...

it would-- would
make me feel better.

My brother was six years
older than me.

And when I was five,
he decided that he didn't

really want anything else
to do with our household.

He went to live
with my grandmother

and I fully
didn't understand why.

Made me feel very terrible
not being able to see him.

I think it broke our bond.

And after that, I felt
alone and neglected
so I turned to food.

Early on in school,
I noticed something
wasn't right about me.

I was on the baseball team
but I was nearing 100 pounds.

They would have
to special order my jersey
and special order my pants

because I was too fat to fit
into the regular-sized ones.

And that really made me
feel like an outcast.

And I got made fun of
a lot during those years.

But the most upsetting
is I didn't know
why I was overweight.

I didn't know it was
because I was eating too much.

By the time I got
to junior high, I was
every bit of 400 pounds

and my mobility wasn't good.

I played football.
I was always a lineman.

These little kids were
so much smaller than me,

so I would try my best
to knock 'em down so they
wouldn't bully me anymore.

But what I really wanted
was to feel loved.

Most of the time when
I was at high school,
I felt worthless.

So I would skip
as much as I could.

And then I just told my mom
I was sick of being bullied
and stuff all the time.

And she set me up
to transition into
a homeschooling environment,

and yeah, I finished the rest
of my schooling through that.

And I was thrilled
to get out of there

and leave that behind.

I had fun at college
because I had a part-time job
unloading freight,

so I had money to go
to different places that
I wanted to go to eat.

And they all this
great fast food,
and that was something

that I never had
the chance to explore
while living at home.

So I had a great time,

you know, learning
about the things that
I wanted to learn about.

After everything that
I had been through,

I felt like I had a lot
of compassion for people.

And I decided
I would love to help people,

so I ended up getting
my EMT license.

And then, when I got
my first job on the ambulance,
I loved it.

Of course, the stress
was just crazy.

But fast food was
always on the way home.

It was around this time
that I met my wife, Tzena.

She was a nurse
at a local nursing facility

and I would go in there
to pick up patients.

A lot of paramedics
are not very nice.

Um, they treat us
like we don't know
what we're doing.

But there are a select few
that are very nice
and understanding,

and he was one of 'em.
We started talking
and started dating.

When we first started dating,
I mean, he was a big guy

but, um, he was still able
to, um, go everywhere.

Well, that was good.

It didn't take us long
to decide that
we wanted to get married.

Having a family was definitely
helping with all the stress
that I was having as an EMT.

But I still kept eating.

I would stop and pick up,
like, the extra-large shake

with the quadruple
hamburger, whatever,

and try to keep it hidden.
Of course, I know my wife knew

that I was probably eating
more than what I should've

because when we'd go out
and stuff, she'll--
She tries to limit

the things that I get,
which I thank God for,
for doing that for me.

Guys at work in their
most loving way kept
pressuring me to lose weight.

And that's when I thought,
"Yeah, I could
definitely do this,"

and I tried it for,
you know, like, six months.

But then, my dad
unexpectedly passed away.

And then, my mom
passed away on Mother's Day

and it totally threw me
into a tailspin.

I gave up the gym,

started eating the things
I shouldn't have ate again.

I finally gave up EMS
after realizing

that my body
just couldn't handle it.

The pure weight of myself

and then trying to lift people
and climb in and out

of an ambulance
just wasn't happening.

I was out of breath. I needed
oxygen probably more
than some of my patients did.

When I knew I couldn't
do it anymore, was...

It was terrible.

Uh...

Like who I was
was taken away.

I was instructed by, uh,
my doctor basically

that I needed to try
to find another job

that made me feel like
I was helping somebody.

So I went in to, um,
the retail aspect

and I got a job
at a local gas station.

I started out
just as a cashier

and I worked my way up
to store manager.

You know, going into retail
and that kinda thing, it's--

It was never the same.
I got to help people

but not the way
I wanted to help 'em.

I just didn't feel...
I didn't feel happy
in those jobs.

-All right, ready to go?
-Yep.

You'll go first?

Let's try it.

I would eat to escape
and as I gained weight

and transitioned
from being, like,
a brick-and-mortar type store

to working for a call center
at home.

I knew then is when everything
really started to get
out of control for me

and it really
started to change.

And that continued on until,
here I am.

Now where I'm at.

My mobility is very decreased

because I just keep on
gaining more and more weight

and I'm getting
bigger and bigger.

Do you wanna push it
so you can lean on it?

-Yeah.
-Okay.

Because of my
condition, my wife
has to be the one

to provide for both
of us financially.

If you want me
to grab stuff for you,

-just let me know.
-Yeah.

What kind do you want?

Need a couple
of the Supreme and...

a couple of Mexican, I guess.

My wife helps out
with a ton of things,

things that she shouldn't
have to do as a wife.

You know, there's that, uh...

The thing of being
a guy is like,

you know, takes out the trash
and he fixes things,

and he works on the car
and does that kind of thing.

I guess, manly stuff,
you could say.

I'm not able to do
that kind of stuff.

Maybe they'll like
fish sticks or...

-not like fish.
-That's fine. I just
wanna take a break

for just a second.

Oh, yeah, that's fine.

I can walk in public
probably for around
ten minutes or so

before I probably
need to rest

or lean against something

to make sure that
I catch my breath.

If you think of something,
I can go grab it for you

-while you're taking a break.
-Oh.

-Um...
-Do you
want me to go grab

the stuff to dip in with?

-Yeah, that's fine.
-Okay.

He does have a lot
of lymphedema and he has
trouble walking around.

And, you know, lifting
his legs, I'm sure,
is very hard for him.

It makes me sad for him
to not being able to do

what he wants to do
which is have a life.

It's, you know, having kids,
going on vacation.

It just makes me sad that
we're not able to do that

and I feel like
we're wasting our lives.

Um...

I know I shouldn't be
eating the way that I'm eating

but food for me in my life
is a place that
makes me feel good.

-Hello.
-Hello, how are you?

-Good, how are you?
-I'm good.

I think...

I know Tzena has given up
on trying to change my ways.

I always tell myself
when we go grocery shopping

that this time
is going to be different.

That I have
the strength to change.

But as soon as I see
all my favorite snacks,
my willpower just disappears.

-All right, $151.99.
-Okay.

When people stare at me,
I feel disgusting
as a human being.

I don't want to look at me
and I feel like other people
shouldn't have to either.

Friends, family,
anything like that.

In fact, I probably wouldn't
want 'em to come see me.

I don't think anybody
should have to see that.

I think I'm gonna
get that barbecue burger.

I'll get the sweet and spicy
bacon burger and a regular
double cheese burger, large.

How can I help you?

Um, I'd like
a number three large
with no onions.

-Uh, sweet tea.
-All right.

And then a large
mango smoothie,

a spicy chicken sandwich,

-a large Coke.
-Anything
else for you?

-And two doubles.
-Uh, two doubles.

What are you doing?

I'm in so much
pain everyday now

that I need food just
to give me a moment

where I get to be happy again.
And then afterwards,

it's like a dark
slipping depression.
And knowing that I just ate

two people's worth of calories
in a single setting,

with my background
of a medical field,

I know how horrible
that is on your body
to do something like that.

And in the moment,
it doesn't matter.
But afterwards, you regret it.

Tzena says that
she would never leave me
and she loves me,

but everyone has their limits.

It just-- it makes
me feel sad that

he's addicted to food
and it's hurting him.

If I could wish
anything for his future,

I just want him to be healthy.

I don't care
that he's a big guy.

That doesn't bother me.

But I want him
to be alive.

And if keeps going
on this route,
he's not going to be.

What would
it be like for Tzena
if she woke up

and found me
the next day, if I died.

I think about that a lot
but the thing is,
I don't wanna die.

I need help.

-Good?
-Yeah,
this should be good.

Okay.

I think this is probably
definitely your last meal

-at home like this.
-Mmm-hmm.

That's what I'm thinking too.

I'm sure it's, uh, not
gonna be pancakes and...

...biscuits but...

-I'm all right
with that change.
-Yeah.

Wanna go ahead
and start get packing?

-Okay.
-Okay.

Today, we're piling
in a car and heading
all the way to Houston

so I can meet Dr. Nowzaradan

so he can help me get
some of this weight off.

You can get the suitcase back.

You wanna
ride with us?

Don't say the R word.

She knows
what that means.

-I guess
I'll meet you after?
-Okay.

Technically,
it's a 14-hour drive,

but I can't sit in a car
that long at my size.

So we're gonna have
to split it up.

If I weren't desperate,
I don't know I would have

enough motivation to go
on a trip like this.

There's no telling what
kind of stuff could go wrong.

I know it's gonna be
painful and uncomfortable.

And I know that
I'm not supposed to eat
my way throughout.

But eating might be
a necessary evil to get me
where I need to go.

You probably
haven't been down this way
for a while,

-the Interstate.
-No, I haven't.

Being out on the road
is new for me.

You know, especially after
basically being three years

without really...
...getting out
and going very many places.

So it makes me nervous
and kinda anxious about

being on the road a lot.

-Doin' okay?
-I think I'm okay.

-Okay.
-I'm just worn out.

We went as far
as I could, today.

I wanted to go more
but I just can't.

My body is too exhausted
and I'm in too much pain.

So we just need
to get back to the room...

then sleep.

Very warm.

I am very tired.

It's a good thing
that we made it
to a resting spot...

because I am
completely sapped.

I just hope that I can
get some good rest

and get up
feeling better tomorrow.

Seemed like
a forever drive there
for a minute but...

I mean...

I'm exhausted.

Yeah, I am too.
I'm ready for bed.

Right?

Okay. Love you too.

My muscles hurting so bad.

I wish I could say
I feel better today,

but, if anything,
I just feel worse.

And getting back in the car

is the last thing
that I wanna do.

But it's the only option

besides giving up
and going back.

I'm sore
from driving yesterday.

Um, my legs, um,
are definitely sore.

Like, my hips.

Um, and I think it's just

because I've been
in a tight spot

for, you know,
four, five hours yesterday

and then, you know,
starting the day out early.

It kinda hurts.

Come on, Tylenol. Kick in.

I'm not sure how far
we're gonna make it today.

I think we're gonna be driving

probably about six
or seven hours.

Ah, yes.

Man.

You okay?

-Yeah,
my legs are sore.
-Just sore?

There we go.

It's been a brutal drive
and I'm really uncomfortable.

The swelling
in my legs is terrible

and the pain in my back
is unbearable.

I'm very, very, very excited

that I've made it here
to Houston.

We're getting there
really quick.

I would say that it's a mix
of being nervous and excited

because I know
that I've just kinda...

I'm a bigger guy and...

I have not been good
with my diet at all,

so I know it's probably
gonna be a pretty big number.

Yup, there it is.

I am getting really nervous
to meet Dr. Now

to see my weight
on the scale...

All right.

Ready?

Let's do it.

...to change
my life around, maybe,

I just hope that Dr. Now
thinks he can help me

and I can move forward
in his program.

If I couldn't get his help,

I'm screwed.

I need this.

Jonathan.

When I last
got weighed,

I was topping 600 pounds

and I want to say that
I've reined it in since then

and that I'll be
in the low 600s,

maybe even high 500s.

But I'm not really sure.

Okay, step up
on the scale, please.

All right.

So if this doesn't pan out,

I'm just going to have
to be brave.

I'm
at Dr. Nowzaradan's clinic
in Houston

and I'm about to find out
how much I weigh.

I think I'm at least
in the lower 600s

and I hope I'm not
much more than that.

But I'm nervous to find out.

Your weight is 641.

Okay.

-We're going
to room 5.
-All righty.

I'm relieved
it's not higher.

So I'll take it.

It's still
a shameful amount of weight

and I hate
to physically see it
in numbers like that

in front of me

and I hate for saying
that they see it too.

It's embarrassing and it hurts

but I'm ready to change that
once and for all.

And now I just need
Dr. Now to believe in me

and help me do this.

-You ready?
-Hmm.

Come on in.

Hello.

-Hello.
-How y'all doing?

Not too bad. How're you?

I am doing well.

Very good.

So, Jonathan,
you coming all the way

-from Illinois, huh?
-Yes, sir.

And who is
this young lady with you?

Uh, this is
my wife, Tzena.

All right. So what
brought you down to Houston?

Um, I am looking to get hope
with losing weight.

-All right. So I see you're,
uh, 641?
-Yes, sir.

-Yes, sir.
-And you're 36.

-Yes, sir.
-Okay.

So how long you've been
in that weight?

Um, I've been heavy
my entire life.

Of course, it just
kinda increased

as, you know, as I got older.

So, um, what'd you have done
to lose weight?

Um, so, I...

I went on a...

The keto diet, uh, last year.

But my dad
passed away very quickly.

My mom died
about four months later.

I really started
to spiral out of control

at that point with just, like,
eating too much and not...

not being decent.

Okay.

Yes, that was
a lot of it

until I started working on,
kind of,

conquering that demon,
you could say.

Okay.

So you have better control

-over your
emotional eating now?
-Yes, sir.

I have chosen that...

uh, depression's not the way
I wanna go with my life

and I'm ready to change it.

Okay. And so
what do you do all day?

Uh, right now, I basically
just kinda sit there

and look at the four walls.

I snack a lot.

-Snack?
-Um... Yeah,
I probably snack a lot.

Do you tell him
to eat less or what?

I do, yeah.

Um, I work during the day.

I work 40 plus hours a week
and I'm a nurse.

-So you're just
spending her money, huh?
-Obviously, I'm spending

her money. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Um, at night,
I'd say that's when he...

I see him eat the most.

He'll eat double, maybe triple
portion sometimes.

So you tell him, "Eat healthy"

and he doesn't listen to you?

-Not very well. No, sir.
-No.

Okay.

So you won't listen
to a nurse,

so you think
you're gonna listen

to a doctor now?

Yeah, that's...
You're very right.

Um...

I... I didn't...
I didn't control myself

and now I've got myself
into a situation that...

Where I need help.

All right. So how motivated
you are at this point

to change?

110 per cent motivated.

Um, I'm sick and tired
of living...

this life of just sitting
and staring at four walls.

I got things I wanna do.

I wanna have kids.

I wanna go back to work
on the ambulance.

I wanna go back
to being a firefighter.

There's things
that I wanna do.

Okay. So you think
you're finally ready

-to make the changes you need?
-Yes, sir.

I think I can
make these changes.

-Okay. So I'm giving you
some stuff...
-Okay.

-...I want you to follow.
-Yes, sir.

Okay.

-How about you? Any questions?
-I don't think so.

I think he's ready
to get started.

Okay, I'll be back
in a few minutes.

-Thank you, Doctor.
-All right.

-I appreciate you.
-All right.

We're gonna get
some blood tests

-on you today, okay?
-Oh, okay.

-All right.
-Yeah.

I'm glad to see
that Jonathan and his wife

has a healthy dynamic

that doesn't revolve
around food.

In fact, she seems
to try to prevent him

from overeating
to some degree.

So the question is,
whether he is truly ready

to stop that behavior
and change what he needs

to turn things around

or if he's hoping
for a quick fix.

All right, Jonathan,
I got stuff for you...

-for a homework.
-All right.

Okay.

And next item in here is...
What it says on top?

"I really don't eat
very much."

Okay, you read
this very carefully

-to understand
how things work.
-Okay.

So this page will tell you
type of food to eat.

There is one page in here...

will tell you
the food to avoid.

This is high calorie food,
uh, high carb...

-fat and things
that you shouldn't do.
-Okay.

-Okay?
-Awesome.

If Jonathan comes back
with a good progress,

we will know that he's been
telling me truth

about working hard
to change things

and that he is
struggling to deal

with what is driving him
to eat.

If not, we can see
what other tool

we can provide to help him.

But unless he proves to me

he is going to follow through
on what he says

and put in the effort
to change his life,

we are not
going ahead with him.

Why don't you read this book.

I'mma give you my information
but, uh...

in chapter 12,

there's exercises
that somebody
at your weight can do.

-Yes, sir.
-So I want you
to spend one hour

in the morning

-and one hour in the evening.
-Okay.

So you do that,
you'll be easily able

to lose 80 pounds
in two months.

And if you did that,
we will move ahead

and we will consider you
for weight loss surgery

and your ideal body weight
will be 200.

So, Doctor, do you...
Do you think there would
be a chance

that I would be...

a candidate
for weight loss surgery?

Everything
is up to you.

Okay? If you control
your eating habit

and lose weight,
then we will know

that you are
a candidate for surgery

because you're doing
what it takes

to be successful.

But if you don't,
then we know that,

I mean, you're just talk
and no show.

So what
do they say in Texas?

-Is it...
"You gotta talk the talk
-Hmm?

...and walk the walk?"

That is it.

Okay?

-Yes, sir.
-So I'll see you
in two months

and if you need anything
then give me a call.

All right, I definitely will.

-All right.
-Thank you.

And I shall see you.

-Thank you, Doctor.
-All right.

I forgot to ask him...

that when I'm done
losing this weight

if he'll weightlift with me.

This is great.

I feel all kinds
of optimism right now.

Honestly...

the guidance that Dr. Now has,

it really is like
the holy grail

that I've been searching for
my entire life.

So whatever it says to do
in his book,

I'm ready to do it.

And I'll work
as hard as I have to

to turn my life around.

-A lotta tape.
-Lotta tape, either way.

That works.

-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

Okay.

-Wanna do your exercise?
-Yeah.

I don't know
if you can do the...

-the shrug one.
-This...

-Yeah, I can do those.
-Okay.

-How many you gotta do those?
-So--

-So do 20 of those.
-Okay.

It's been
a couple weeks

since we met with Dr. Now

and me an Tzena have been
following the diet completely.

So done with those.

Out to the side and down.

-How many?
-20.

She's doing the diet with me

to help me so we can both be
at our healthiest

and I wouldn't have it
any other way.

Gotta stand up.

And then one up...

And 20 times.

It's been life changing
being on the new program.

When I first started,
uh, I was terrible.

The first week was, uh,

definitely very,
very tough for me.

But now I'm feeling amazing

and I'm not feeling
as sluggish

or as tired as I was.

So what part's that one?

That one gets tiresome...

pretty quick.

My hope and goal for this is

for John just to be able
to get up

and enjoy life.

Right now, he pretty much
stays at home.
He doesn't work.

And I think he is, you know,
on his way to do that.

Just up...

-Like marching?
-Yeah.

We've done
weight loss before together

and, uh, we've just decided

that if he was accepted
to this program,

you know, we were gonna do
this diet together.

And either way
we were gonna try
to lose weight,

but it's more incentive
for him to lose weight

if he can get this surgery
and, you know,
improve our lives.

That's pretty good.

Got ready for supper?

We'll get
something to eat.

I learned a lot about myself
in the last few weeks.

I have more self-control
than what I thought I did.

I didn't think that I would be
able to maintain

the way I did,

but I'm really shocked
and surprised

at how much I was able to do.

So what you thinking?

Hmm, go ahead and get

one of the cans of vegetables
out of there.

Get that started.

Okay. I'm gonna
measure it out.

Make sure the chicken's good.

A lot of lifestyle
changes have happened.

I've started eating normal,
regular sized
portions of food...

uh, and cut down so much
on size...

There you are.

-I don't think you--
-Your spoon and fork.

...and calorie
intake.

So easily eating probably
10,000 calories a day,

I'm now eating roughly
around 900 to 1200 per day.

-All right, let me take this
in there.
-Yeah.

All right.

Pushing from
the old eating habits

to the new eating habits
has been kinda hard.

Um, especially, I think
for me on the sweet stuff.

I think John has a little bit
of a sweet tooth too,
but, um...

He's actually been doing
very well with it...

and sometimes I sneak
a spoonful of peanut butter.

But John can't have that

so I have to do it
without him knowing.

That's pretty good.

With enough seasoning.

-Tastes pretty good.
-Mmm-hmm.

So today
we are going back

to see Dr. Now

for our second appointment.

I feel like
I've worked pretty hard

to make it where I am.

We did have a cheat day.

We did eat pizza.

Uh, it was probably
the worst decision

that I had ever made

and I became pretty sick
the next day

so it was pretty rough.

Kinda little nervous
about that

but I'm just really hoping

Dr. Now sees that, you know,
I did make the changes.

I'm actually excited

'cause I can feel
how much progress
I have made.

I can get around easier
and my stamina is much better.

-Thank you.
-So even though
80 pounds

was a lot to lose,
I think I did it.

Or I got close.

Jonathan.

I was 641

at my first appointment
two months ago.

You can step on the scale
whenever you're ready.

And if
I lost 80 pounds,

that means I would be down
to 561 today.

-Please go to room 5.
-All right.

-Thank you so much.
-You're welcome.

Wow.

That is awesome.

That feels great
to see that number.

A totally different
scale experience

than my last one.

You know, I'm proud of myself

because that's
the best progress

that I've ever made.

I know I've got
a long way to go,

but I hope Dr. Now likes
what he sees

and maybe I can get fast track
for that surgery.

Hello, how're y'all doing?

Hello, Dr. Now.
How are you?

I'm doing well.

So how was your trip
this time?

Trip went very well.
Very well.

Yes, very much easier.

So I see you're down to 554.

So you lost 87 pounds.
Yes, sir.

Yeah.

So what changes
you made
with your eating habit?

Um, so, we cut out
all the bad stuff
in the house.

So... So, basically, got rid
of the juice

and, uh, soda and all that
kind of stuff.

Um, we started meal prepping
and, uh,

I'll make up three or four
of those meals at a time

and use those...

Just pop 'em in the microwave
and, you know,

doesn't give me a choice,
that's what I'm eating

and that's it.

Well, um, you did very good

-Thank you.
-...and you met your goal.

-Thank you, sir.
-So what I'm gonna do

is I'm gonna approve you
for weight loss surgery

-Yes, sir.
-...and providing
you move down to Houston.

-Okay?
-Okay. Yes, sir.

So...

-Okay?
-Yes, sir.

So how we doing with
your activity and exercise?

Um, I do
my exercises in the book,

um, twice a day.
Once in the morning,

uh, once in the evening.

I do a mix
of, like, HIIT cardio
and weightlifting,

uh, 'cause weightlifting is
something that I wanna do.

So, like, deadlifting,
that kind of stuff.

So, been kinda doing that

and just getting out
and doing little things

like just walking
with the dogs and stuff
was really good.

Uh, I'm proud
of your progress. Keep it up.

-Thank you, sir.
-This is not victory lap
to go back to...

-No. No, sir.
-...uh, stop
doing what you,

uh, were doing before.

-Yes, sir.
-So, the next month
is gonna be

-a very important
test for you...
-Yes, sir.

...so
that you see it.

But if you come back
and you gain weight or you
don't lose that weight,

I will know it was
just a temporary change

and that is not
gonna last too long.

So, uh, stick with the healthy
eating habit

and lose even more weight.

-I most certainly will.
-Okay.

And let me know when you have
moved down to Houston.

Have a safe trip back home

and, uh, if you need anything,
give me a call.

-Most certainly.
Most certainly will.
-Okay.

-All right, y'all take care.
-You too.

-Thanks, Dr. Now.
-Thank you.

I am very happy and proud
to see Jonathan's progress.

Hopefully he moves down
to Houston soon

because it will be
harder for him

to stick
with the changes long-term

without weight loss surgery.

As long as he maintains
some form of real progress,

it will prove to me that he's
ready to take the next step
with weight loss surgery

and we will move
ahead with him.

I am
really excited.

I feel really proud
of what I've done

in the first two months
of this weight loss journey.

And I'm really happy
that Tzena has been
with me to support me.

And I know that I'm going
to be able to stick with it

and to keep on the right track
because of her support.

I'm not sure how we're gonna
make the move to Houston.

But I know it's important.

It means surgery
and a new life.

I'm gonna make this work
no matter what.

Everything's been
going very well I think.

Being more helpful
around the house to me

is-- it's been really
a gamechanger

because I'm able
to do things and take some
of the weight off of my wife

and that makes me happy
for her and for me.

Since I've lost the weight,
I've been able
to be more mobile

and I've been able
to help my wife.

I hope to go back
to being in the EMS,

so, that's, uh, kinda
the way I'm going hopefully.

I do hope to be more
of a provider in my household.

Tzena and I have been working
on coming up with a plan

to move to Houston.

Right now, I think Tzena
is gonna have to stay
here for a bit

and I'm gonna have
to move there first
because of her job.

But we don't wanna be apart.

And it's still possible that
she could find a job
before I have to go.

So, that would be ideal.

Hey, you made it.

Yeah. Finally got here.

And you didn't hit a deer.

Not this time.

That's good.

I got your tape for ya.

Oh, yeah.
The joys of packing.

-Yeah.
-How was work?

Busy. Very hectic.

Yeah, sounds like
you got off late.

Yeah.

Dinner smells good.

It doesn't
smell too bad.

The move to Houston
makes me very nervous.

I don't think I've ever
moved any place
besides Illinois before.

So, it's gonna be a total
change of scenery for me.

-Well, thank you for the tape.
-You're welcome.

I'll miss you
while you're gone.

-Oh, yeah?
You sure?
-Yeah.

-Yeah.
-You're gonna throw parties
when I'm gone.

No, probably sleeping a lot...

-Yeah.
-...'cause I'd be
working a lot.

Yeah.

We can go out.
Let the dogs run around
the front yard little bit.

Yeah, okay.

Ready? Come on.

Come on, pal.

Watch out, boy.

Come on.

You wanna walk
to the pole and back?

-Yeah, that's fine.
-Okay.

It is nice
to be able to get out
and move around a little more.

I'm feeling better than
I have in a long time.

-Right.
-So, you know.

Come on.

As a husband,
I think Jon has changed

because he's a lot more
helpful around the house.

Come on.

Look, come on.

He's able to get
out of the house more

and he is in a lot
better spirits.

Watch out, boy.

He's more like
the husband that
I used to have.

He's happier and, you know,
he's-- you can tell he's
starting to enjoy life more.

It's gonna be weird not
having you home for a while.

-But...
-I know.

...I know it's
what you gotta do

and it'll be better
for us in the long run.

I know it will be. Um...

I know I've tried to get back
and I've lost a lot of weight.

-You know,
this will be like a...

...a nightly type
of thing for us again and...

-Right.
-You know?

When we first got together,
we were able to do
a lot more stuff.

-Yeah.
-So...

You're definitely
headed in the right direction

and I have no doubt,
you know, you're gonna
get down to your goal.

What'd Dr. Now say?

-He say 200 pounds?
-He said 200.

I don't even think I'd
look right at 200 pounds.

-Right.
-I was 200 pounds
in kindergarten.

No, you weren't.

-I love you a lot.
-I love you too.

All right.

-Well, I'm gonna miss you.
-Yeah. Miss you too.

Couple months go by fast.

We got texting, calling,
video call. It'll be fine.

I gotta try to get
my license for Texas
and... go from there.

That works.
We'll eventually make it.

Mmm-hmm.

I don't think he
wants me to go either.

Nope.

I'll probably need just
a couple washcloth
to take with me.

-Like, just
a little stack of 'em?
-Yeah.

Yeah, a little stack of 'em.

And, that should be--
should be good. I mean...

It's just me for now.

Today I'm gonna
be driving from

here in Illinois
down to Texas and,

I'm gonna be staying
in a temporary rental.

I'm gonna definitely
miss my dogs,

gonna definitely
miss Tzena a lot.

I've never been away
from 'em, especially
for a long period of time.

I'm pretty down that
my wife ain't gonna
be able to come with me.

Her state license
for her registered nurse

is kinda difficult to transfer
to another state.

So, until she finds a job

and her license
transfers over to Texas,

she wouldn't be
able to come with me.

To be honest, I'm worried
about doing this on my own.

My plan is to go 12 hours
straight and basically
make it down in one day.

And I hope that I've
come far enough

that I can handle
the drive all at once.

Can you throw 'em,
like, right there?

Yeah.

Whoo-hoo.

Many, many months ago,
I never thought I would
have made it this far

but I committed 100%
to the program
and here I am.

It's amazing.

These probably aren't gonna
fit anymore when I get home.

Yeah. Probably not.

If I could
go back in time
and tell myself anything

when I first seen Dr. Now,

I would tell myself
that you're stronger than
what you really think you are.

It was hard to make
the lifestyle changes
that I did

but I know I had to do it

to get the surgery to make
those changes for my life

and for my family.

This is probably
gonna be the longest
we've ever been apart.

I'm a little concerned
about Jon driving

but, I mean, I know
he's gonna do fine.

So, he has his phone.
He can call me
if he needs anything.

Guess I'll get on the road.

Okey dokey.

-All right. I love you.
-Love you too.

-I'll talk at you when
I get down there.
-Okay.

Come here, boy.

I think puppy's still inside.

Yeah, it's all right.
Will miss you, boy.

-He's like, "What is going
on with your car, man?"

All right, well...

I'll take that.

Have something
ride in my hood.

-It could. Try it.
-Yeah.

-Tell Dr. Now
I said hi...
-I will.

-...take good care
of ya.
-I will.

I'll talk at ya. I'll call ya.

Okay.

I told
the doctor that I was finally
coming down for good

and that I'm ready for surgery
and to keep moving forward.

Come here, Rollie.

And as hard and daunting
as this is as a trip,

I'm ready to do it.

And I'm just praying that it
all goes according to plan.

So right now,

we're, you know, little ways

outside of, uh,
Houston, Texas.

Been on the road for probably
around eight hours.

Texarkana.

I'm feeling really,
um, really excited.

Really proud of myself that
I made this trip this far,

uh, by myself, so,

I'm looking forward
to the future.

So, it's really crazy, I...

I didn't think I would
make it this far and now
it's like a reality

and it's really happening
and I'm almost in Houston,

and I'm kind of excited
and-- and shocked
all at the same time.

It's been definitely
a long drive.

I am starting
to feel really tired,

and I'm just really excited
to, uh, get set up
in my new place

and, uh, get a little rest.

I'm finally at Houston.

I did the drive
all in one day.

All I gotta do is get moved in
and go to sleep.

I'm not even thinking
about food.

I just want to lie down
and sleep.

Well, I guess it's gonna
be home for a little while.

Hello?

Hey.

Hey.

I made it.

Mmm-hmm.

Oh, it's pretty.

I think you'll like it.

The steps are
a little steep, so,

it's definitely
a workout for me.

Right.
Well, I mean, that's kinda
good for you, you know?

It will be.

Just don't look
out the window when
you're up there.

Right.

Okay, well, uh,
I'm almost at work, so,

I miss you, love you and I'll
talk to you in the morning.

Okay. I miss and love you
too and I'll--
I'll call you tomorrow.

-Okay.
-All right.

-All right. Bye.
-Bye.

My appointment
with Dr. Now is in two days.

I gave myself some extra time

just in case it took
me longer than what I
wanted to get down here.

I'm gonna call in the morning
and see if I can get it
moved up a day.

If not, I'm just going
to rest and recover.

But I'm anxious to get surgery
and keep moving forward.

I'm definitely glad I'm here

and I just wanna show
Dr. Now that I'm committed
to this program.

But right now, I'm just
gonna be happy to lie down
and get some sleep.

So, I am on the road
right now to see Dr. Now.

I just left my new apartment.

Well, yeah. I did make
the move without my wife

and I'm really hoping that
today that Dr. Now sees that

I'm committed, uh,
100% to his plan.

Hey, uh...

-I just wanted to let you
know that I made it here.

I'm at Dr. Now's office.

So, I'll let you
know what he says.

All right. Love you. Bye.

Dr. Now was able to move
my appointment up a day
and see me today.

So, I'm about to find out
what I weigh,

and whether or not it's
all systems go
for my weight loss surgery

like it should be.

It's taken a lot
to get down here,

and it's been a long time
since I've been weighed.

So, I hope that there's
nothing wrong and the plan
is still the same for surgery.

Jonathan.

Hello, Rosie.

Hello. How are you?

Pretty good.
Long time no see.

I know.

Tzena wants me
to keep her in the loop,

'cause the minute I have
my surgery scheduled,

we need to make plans
for her to come down here
and be with me.

You can step up on the scale.

All right.

I know I worked
hard to stay on track,

and I'm confident that I
made some good progress.

And I'm just
a little bit nervous

because I'm not as sure
that we worked

as hard as we did
those first two months.

Last time
I weighed 554.

That was a weight loss of more
than 40 pounds a month.

Since it's been
four months since then,

if I kept up
the good work with that,

I would be 160 pounds
down today.

That's not great.
I thought I lost more.

We're going
to room five.

All right.

Well, I like seeing low 500s.

It still feels pretty good.

But it's off the pace.

I just don't know if
Dr. Now expected me to lose
that much every month.

But hopefully he'll look
at my total overall
and we can move ahead today.

No setbacks.

-Hello.
-Hello.

How are you, Dr. Now?

I'm doing okay. How about you?

Not too bad.

It's good to see you.

Good to see you.

-You moved down to Houston.
-Yes, sir.

So, where is your wife today?

She isn't able
to move yet because, uh,
she's a registered nurse

and her license isn't able
to transfer down to Texas yet.

So, she's working
on getting that
license transfer.

But then, if you have
weight loss surgery,

you need somebody to be
with you to help you with it.

She would be able to.

She's got, uh,
vacation time saved up.

So, uh, whenever I do
get my surgery date,

she would be able to take
that time off to come down
and help with recovery.

All right, Jonathan.
You lost, uh, 38 pounds
in past, uh, four months.

Uh, that's less than
10 pounds a month.

I was hoping that you're
gonna be able to lose
more than that.

But at least you're
losing constantly
and you're sticking with it,

and I'm glad to hear that.

Okay.

But if you're not
able to lose that,

we're gonna
cancel your surgery.

Um, yeah.
Definitely it's a little
longer than what I expected

but I'm grateful for it
and I know I can
do that weight loss,

and, uh, I really do
appreciate that so
thank you so much.

All right. I'm gonna
set you up for some tests.

-Okay.
-And if everything
is, uh, look okay

then we'll set up your surgery
for two months from now.

-Okay.
-And if you need anything
before then,

-give me a call.
-All right. Thank you so much.

-You're welcome.
-All right.

All right. You take care.

You too.

I'm proud of Jonathan
for continuing
making progress

and for getting to where
he can be active enough

to come down
to Houston on his own.

That is a great
progress for him.

He just needs to pick up
the pace a little more

to show me that he's gonna
continue working hard
at losing weight.

But if he doesn't, then I will
know that we have an issue,

and his surgery
will be canceled.

I'm really
disappointed that I
have to wait

two months for the surgery.

I know that I can hit
he target that he gave me
of losing 30 pounds by then.

And I am grateful to be
moving ahead at all.

And I just need to stay
focused and do
the right thing,

so nothing gets in the way
of me getting that surgery.

Which way you wanna go?

Probably go up
this way and across.

Okay.

So, today me
and Tzena got up,

we had a little breakfast
and we decided to come
walking in the park.

Pretty nice out here.

Yeah.

Yeah, the weather's nice.

I'm very happy that I
can be active with her.

It makes me feel
more like a husband,

and being able to go out
and do things with her.

So, it's been
about three weeks
since I've seen Jon

and I've noticed that
his activity level
is a lot better

and, uh, his eating habits
are pretty good too.

Being able to go
out with Jon and,

you know, take
this walk in the park,
it means a lot.

Um, you know, he hasn't
had the surgery yet
and he's already--

I can see a big
improvement in him, so,

I'm just looking
forward to, you know,

what's to come in the future,

you know, after he gets
the surgery and loses
even more weight.

Is that wet?

-Yeah.
-Totally wet.

-Yeah, I made it.
-Yup.

-Looks pretty.
-Yeah.

I can tell you're getting
better with your walking
and stuff.

Yup.

-I can tell your exercise
is paying off.
-Yeah.

I'm really proud of you
for everything you've done.

Well, a couple of
months plus

I wouldn't have been
able to walk around
out here like this.

-I feel a lot better,
have a lot more energy.
-Mm-hmm.

-Feel like I'll take on
the world.
-Yeah?

What do you think
of Houston so far?
You like it?

-I like it. I just don't
like the traffic.

It's good times.

Tzena's gonna have
to go back to Illinois

and that's gonna be
rough emotionally.

But I will stick to
the healthy routine
that we established

and I'm gonna hit my mark
when I get weighed
in another month or so.

Are you worried about me?

I think you're
gonna be fine.

I think so too.

I think it's just
the anxiety right now.

I think once
I get back there

and they knock me out,
I'll be fine.

-Oh, yeah,
you'll be asleep.

I think everything
will be all right.

Yeah, it'll be fine.

Me and Tzena
are at the hospital

and hopefully I can
get my surgery today.

I've done my best
to make the progress
that Dr. Now's wanted.

So I'm just hoping
when I get on the scale,

I will be where
I need to be,

and we can move forward.

Anything less
would be heartbreaking.

-Hello.
-Hello, good morning,
Dr. Now.

Good morning, Jo.

How's everything
going with you?

Oh, going pretty good.
Pretty good.

All right, so let's
get you up

-and check your weight
and see where we stand.
-Okay.

And then we go
from there.

So, let's go to scale
and see how much
you weigh today.

All right.

Dr. Now wanted me
to lose 30 pounds
by today

to go ahead
with the surgery.

Since I was at
516 last time,

the number that
I need today is 486.

And I worked really hard
to get to that number,

because a failure here
would be devastating today.

All right,
you can step on it.

I need to
be under 486

to meet the goal
that Dr. Now set for me.

-Okay, that's good progress.
-Okay.

You were two pounds over
but close enough.

Right.

I feel great.

I'm excited to be
where I'm at

and how far I've been
able to come to get here.

All right, Jonathan,
you've done well.

I'm proud of your
progress so far.

-Thank you, doctor.
-All right.

We'll get you ready
for your surgery
in few minutes.

-All right,
thank you so much.
-You're welcome.

I'm gonna
have you keep
your arms inside...

-Okay.
-...the railing here

while we're going
down the hallway.

This is
the chance of a lifetime
to turn it around.

So I'm gonna take
the chance and make
the most of it.

-All right, babe.
-All right.

So I can get to that
better life.

I love you.

We'll take
excellent care of him.

-Okay.
-I'll reply you
once we get done.

Okay, thank you.

And now I am
so excited about that.

Today
we are attempting
to perform

a gastric sleeve
on Jonathan.

He's done very well
up to this point.

...to control his
eating habits much easier.

So this would be
an important tool

that will help Jonathan
to stay on track
for long term,

if he use it right
and puts in the work.

So far, he has done that

and all his progress

has prepared him
for this surgery.

And even helped to reduce
the risk of operation today.

But at his weight,

this is still high risk
for him.

Got the remaining arm.

So right now,
Jonathan's in surgery,

and I'm just hoping
everything goes
okay with it.

I'm just a little
bit nervous 'cause,
you know,

any surgery
is a big deal, I think.

But I think that
he's in good hands
with Dr. Now.

Okay,
almost done.

So far, things are
going well

So this is gonna be
a huge change for him

with how much
he can eat now.

All right, we're finished.

There were no issues,

He feels like
he dealt with them

but for the long term,

he likely has more
to deal with
on those issues.

So we need to watch
for a slowdown.

And if that happens,

then it will be time
to start addressing
those issues.

But so far,
he has done well

and I'm expecting him
to keep moving
in the right direction.

But the next few months

is gonna give us
an indication

of how things are
gonna go for him.

So we'll see
how he's doing then.

It's
been a month
since my surgery

and things are going
pretty well.

Tzena was down here
for a couple of weeks

taking care of me
directly after my surgery.

That was good
but it looks like

she'll be down for good
next month.

So I'm excited about that.

I'm back on solid foods

and I'm not sorry to be
done with the liquids.

So, today, I decided
to go out and try
some new food.

Uh, something
a little different.

It's been a couple of years
since I've actually been
out into a restaurant

even by myself.

-Hello.
-Hello.

Uh, just the Bombay,

um, with no butter.

Just basically clean,
I guess.

And you...
You would like
any bread?

Uh, no, thank you.
No, bread.

-That will be $14.77.
-Okay.

-All right,
thank you so much.
-Please, enjoy.

The surgery has impacted
my eating abilities a lot

as far as portion size goes,

what I can eat.

But trying new food,
it's been trial and error,

uh, because my stomach
likes somethings

and then somethings
it does not.

Some food actually
makes me feel sick now,

which was unexpected.

So that's made it hard
to do food prep.

But Dr. Now says
that will pass.

-Bombay.
-All right,
thank you so much.

-No problem.
You enjoy.
-All right, thank you.

So I'm trying to find
cheap options at
restaurants nearby.

There aren't many
of those, either.

I try to get chicken
when I eat out.

Usually they have
some sort of option
or fish.

But I'm eating
really slowly now.

I am getting fuller
very much quicker
than I was before,

just a few bites
and I'm completely stuffed.

I'm only eating, like,
half of every meal
or less.

But I feel good
and I'm not hungry
at any time right now.

So that feels weird.

But every day I get
better at it

because I know every day
I'm changing more and more.

Dr. Now says
I'm on track this month.

But the first two months
tell him how well

someone is going
to do long-term.

So sticking to the diet
is the most important thing
above all else.

And I want to impress
the doctor at
my next checkup.

So I'm staying on track
and I'm not letting
myself slip up at all.

-All right.
-Here you go.

-All right,
thank you so much.
-You're welcome.

You too.

I feel proud of myself
that I've came this far
at my journey.

The fact that I can go out
and eat at all
is pretty incredible.

I would have never
been able to do that
last year.

So this is a
big deal for me.

This was a huge victory
and a huge win for me

because it's doing
something that's A,
out of my comfort zone

and something
I haven't done in years.

So my confidence went
from being somebody
that was

just stuck in a house
all the time

to somebody that's
wanting to get out
and explore

and do more things
in the world.

So, I think it's...
I've really grown.

-How are you?
-I'm fine, thank you.
How are y'all?

-All right.
-Good.

I'm at Dr. Now's
to see how my progress
was going.

Step up
on the scale.

I was
at 454 last month

and I'm supposed to be
losing at least 15 pounds
a month to stay on track.

Hopefully, I'm at 439 today.

Your weight is 441.

All right.

That doesn't seem bad.

Just a few pounds shy

but a good monthly
loss I think.

But, we'll see, I guess.

Hello, how y'all doing?

Hello, Dr. Now,
how are you?

Good, I'm doing good.

-Okay.
-Good to see you both.

Good to see you.

All right, looks like
you lost 13 pounds
this past month.

-Yes, sir.
-That's good.

Work to at least
maintain that

and... and don't fall
below that.

But you can pick
up the pace
a little bit.

But overall,
you're doing good.

Okay, thank you, sir.

You realize, you have lost
300 pounds exactly today.

I did realize that.
I did see the number.

And that clicks.

-So I feel pretty
good about that.
-That's good.

So you feel better
with all that weight
off of you?

Definitely, I feel
a lot better
than I used to

and I don't get as tired
or winded as easily.

I'm feeling great
and I can't wait
to lose more

and keep doing more.

So you have any goal
that you're working towards?

I do and right now
I'm hopefully...
to get a job soon.

I've applied at
a couple of different places

and I'm hoping to hear
something back.

So finger's crossed.

But other than that,
I'm hoping just to lose
the rest of the weight

and get to where
I need to be
as soon as possible.

That's good, so you have
260 pound left to lose.

And off of that,
will come out some
skin removal.

So, pick up the pace

and you can be
at your target weight
within a year.

Oh, that would be awesome.

So keep up the good work
and we will help you
to do that.

I'm proud of you
for hard work

and the support
you're giving him.

And just keep it up.

Jonathan, you're doing good,

and if you need anything,
give me a call.

-All right.
-All right,
I'll see you later.

-All right, thank you,
Dr. Now, I appreciate you.
-Thank you.

-Y'all take care.
-You too.

I am happy to see
that Jonathan continue
to make good progress

and move toward
a healthier life.

So, what do you think?

-Oh, how you think it went?
-I think it went
pretty well.

Yeah.

He worked very hard
this past year

and has at least lost
every month up to now.

So that is a
very good sign

that he's gonna stick
with the life change
for the long term.

His weight loss
this past month
is good,

but just a couple
of pounds lower

than minimum
I like to see.

And if he comes back
next month

and he dropped more,

then we will know
it is likely

because the issues
that driving him to eat.

Then it will be good time

to start the therapy
with him.

But right now,
I'm confident

that we're gonna
continue to see him

moving in
the right direction.

And he once he gets down
to lower 300s,

we will start looking
for the options
for skin removal.

And once we do that,

it won't take long for him
to get to his target weight,

and enjoy all the things
he is looking forward to.

It feels
really great to be
down 200 pounds.

That's a huge achievement
that I never thought
I would make it to,

especially, so fast.

So I feel really happy
and I'm excited
to keep going

and make the rest
of the progress

that I know
that I need to make,

and I am not
gonna slow down
for anything.

See guys' stuff.

All right.

-Ready?
-Yup.

Today Tzena is taking me
clothes-shopping.

Now that I've lost
200 pounds,

it is definitely time for me
to get some clothes
that fit better.

And this is a big deal,

because I can't
even remember
the last time

I was able to shop
for my clothes.

-You need a few things
yourself, don't you?
-Yeah.

I'll look for you first.

This is
really just the beginning,

because now I can
actually bear going out
in public.

Okay.

How you feel
shopping in the store

for, like, your
first time ever
since we've been together?

It's crazy,
it really is,

being down, I don't know.

And he said you have
200 left to go?

Two hundred more pounds.

And then... And then
I get skin removal surgery.

And that will be
another 30 pounds.

So I still kinda
gotta buy big because

-still trying to cover up
all this extra skin.
-Right.

The thought
of losing another 200 pounds
is a little hard to believe.

But it's also starting
to feel like
it's within reach.

What color
you're looking for?
Anything in particular?

-I found
something I might like.
-There you go.

-Do you like the gray
or the blue?
-Oh, the gray.

Let's find the one.

-Look at this one?
-Yeah.

Yeah, I like that.

It'll be something
I'mma be able to
do again,

is go fishing.
I haven't done that
in a long time either.

-Yeah?
-This is definitely
something

I would love to do
more of.

Going out with my wife
and actually being able
to do things with her,

like, you know,
a husband should be
able to...

Uh, it was really
amazing today.

It makes me feel good.

Fifteen more pounds...

-Then I'll have it.
-Yeah.

So far, so good.

I definitely feel like
I accomplished
something today.

I feel like I broke
barriers that,

in my physical life,
you know, in my life,

that I haven't broke
in a long time.

You know,
I like the blue.

-This one?
-Yeah.

-Here you go.
-Okay.

It works.

Yeah, looks good.

Just
going out in public,
for one,

not being scared
to walk out in public,

and knowing that
there is a possibility that,

you know,
stuff that's on a rack
is actually gonna fit me.

-That's two things.
-Yup.

So we find
something for you.

Oh, you only have
two things there,

-you wanna look
for something else?
-Nah.

-Not much of a shopper.
-I know.

-But now, no chance.
-Yeah, I'm happy though,

I actually found
something, so...

He's come
pretty far in his journey.

This is the first time
that we have ever been

in the store
to shop for him.

We've been married
seven years,
together nine years, so...

In all of that time,
he's only ever ordered
his clothing online.

Here you go.

Hmm?

-Yeah, 'cause all I want
is good vibes. That's it.

Made me feel pretty good
that we were able to
come in the store today

and shop for clothes,
not just for me
but for him, too.

-Think I'm gonna
try mine on.
-Okay, go ahead.

-Okay.
-I'mma see
tees up here.

Okay.

You'll go back there with me

-and I'll show you what
it looks like?
-Yeah, yeah.

It makes me feel very proud
that I've made it this far.

A whole new world's
opening up to us again.

I'd like to go back
to being in
emergency services.

Um, that's one of
my biggest goals.

Something I've
always wanted.

And I'd like to start
a family with my wife.

That's one of the big
huge goals that
I wanna try.

I like that.

-Looks good.
-Yeah.

-Size--
-It fits good, too.

-Size smaller.
-Yeah?

-Yeah.
-Could probably even go
another small

-but I like it baggy.
-Oh, yeah.

-I like it.
-Okay.

-Got one more.
-Yeah.

I always thought
that it would never be

a chance for me
to have kids.

We've tried in the past
with no...

low success.

I think my weight
contributed to us

not being able
to have a family.

It makes you feel
pretty worthless,

because you're supposed
to be able to do that
with your wife.

And if you can't do that,
it just kinda...

You know, you don't really
have much of a purpose
in life.

-How is this one?
-All right,
that one's nice.

Yeah, that one's
my favorite.

How do you like it?
As I like my ice coffee.

Yeah.

-That's perfect for you.
-Yeah.

But the more
that I've lost weight,

I see now that
there's a possibility
that, you know,

I could...
I could have a family.

Something I really
think about a lot
almost everyday.

And it would be
amazing to do that.

All done?

Today was fun day.

The future looks like us,
you know, being able
to do more things,

and we have a family.

Just excited to actually
get our life going.

We got
everything we needed?

Yeah.

There's so much
to look forward to now.

It might be overwhelming
if I wasn't so
ready for it all.

-We can go shopping
more often.
-That'll be nice.

It'll be amazing, actually.

And it's got me looking
forward to a future

that I never thought
I could have.

And that is a pretty
incredible feeling.

All right.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

We appreciate you.

-Y'all have a great
rest of the year.
-You, too.

Still raining.

Yeah, it is.