All language subtitles for My 600-lb Life S13E03

it seems like I lose
more mobility every day.

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.

No! It hurts!

I refuse
to stop fighting.

I have to do this
for my children.

Oh!

Dr. Now,
I have lost 100 pounds.

Are you telling me
that's not enough?

I have insomnia really badly
so I don't sleep very well.

Because of my size,

I never really know

if when I go to bed,

if that's gonna be
the last time.

So it's very hard to sleep
when I have

the different thoughts
racing through my head.

I worry about the what-if
scenarios I create in my head

that haven't even happened,
never have happened,

so it just kind of feels like

I'm living in a nightmare
that I've created.

When I'm waking up
and getting out of bed,

everything hurts.

You know, just walking
a few feet to the bathroom,

my lower back
is screaming at me.

When I lift my leg it feels
like it's being weighed down

by one other person,

and then I feel dizzy,
like I'm gonna fall.

You just gotta learn
to deal with it.

Taking a shower
is extremely difficult,

because to get there
I have to walk up 16 stairs.

Some days I can't get
all the way up the steps

and then I have to do
my plan B,

which is taking a sponge bath

using a basin in my room.

You know,
it doesn't get the job done

as well as a shower does.

I live with my children.

I have a son
and a daughter, twins.

My kids are everything to me.

It's humiliating for me

having to ask
my daughter to help.

Amber?

Hey, can you get the shower?

Mmm-hmm.

Put my shower chair
in there as well.

My mother,
if she needs something

but she can't reach it

and doesn't feel like
getting up, she'll call me

to help get it for her,

which she apologizes
but I don't really mind,

because I'd rather her ask

than do things on her own

and get herself hurt

or in a bad situation.

When showering,
it's harder to clean myself

because of my edema.

The swelling of my legs makes
it hard to get into, like,

all the areas I need to reach.

I do have a shower chair
that I can use

if my back starts to hurt.

I just take showers
as quickly as I can.

I just get in to do what needs
to be done and get right out.

I am asthmatic,
so I do feel short of breath

a lot during the day.

Like, I'll feel like
I can't breathe

or my chest is tight.

The fact that I'm winded
just walking from my bedroom

to the bathroom is not good.

I'm supposed to take medicine
for anxiety,

but I haven't been to, um,
an appointment in a while,

so I'm on no medications
right now.

It's hard to be compliant
on medications

when you don't go to
your doctors' appointments.

As of now, I am housebound

and cut off from the world.

Amber, you want
some breakfast?

Uh, you want me
to make it, or...

Yeah, um, and just go ahead
and get that going,

and, um, I'll be in
in just a minute, okay?

Mmm-hmm.

My mother,
she is a stress eater.

I do think she uses food
as a source of comfort,

but it's just
never occurred to me

to have a problem with it

because when you're anxious,

of course you want
your favorite snack, you know?

It cheers you up.

How many eggs are you making?

Six.

Uh, make 12.

Go ahead and do 12.

Best way I can describe

food addiction is just

food is constantly on my mind.

How good it's gonna taste,
the flavors.

The timeframe in between
your last meal

and when you can eat again.

My meals contain
mostly really high-calorie,

high-fat things.

Go ahead and take those

over to the table for me

and, um, I'll be in
in just a second.

It's painful
when you're feeling full

and you eat anyway.

It's like you feel like
your stomach is gonna explode.

Eating put me the size body
that I'm in

that keeps me prisoner
in my home.

Oh, man,
everything looks so good.

And the only thing
that makes me feel better

is when I eat,
so I'm eating more,

even though food
is what caused me

to be in prison to begin with.

When I look back between
my childhood and now,

I do see where the first time
I used food

as a security blanket.

It was at an age where
I was given an assignment.

I didn't understand it,

and the person
who was in charge

of helping me
with my homework,

they beat me,
like, really bad.

Actually I was only
in kindergarten

when that happened.
But it was pretty bad.

I still have a lot of disdain
for this person to this day.

I'll just never forget that
feeling, and wondering why.

Because I guess they thought
I was just being defiant.

But, you know, I didn't know

what they wanted
to do with me.

It just made me feel like,
you know,

I didn't matter, and that

what I was feeling
wasn't real.

I was so young,
I thought it was my fault.

So I never told my mom.

There wasn't time
for my feelings.

It was just easier to eat.

It's really good, Amber.

-Thank you.
-Mmm-hmm.

I like cooking.

I know,
and you do it really well.

I appreciate it.

My grandma and my mom

had to work long hours
at the hospital together.

My grandma worked
from the morning shift

to the afternoon shift

and then my mom worked nights.

So a majority
of the family responsibilities

just fell on me
'cause I was the mature one.

Picked my brothers up
from the daycare,

I'd cook for them, you know,
do their homework,

stuff like that,
and just take care of them,

put them to bed,
get their stuff ready

for school the next day.

And it was
a lot of responsibility,

but, you know,
what was the alternative?

Are the cinnamon rolls good?

Yeah.
You're really missing out.

Trying to make me jealous.

I'm not trying to,

but they're soft and sweet.

-They're really good.
-Mmm-hmm.

Whenever my anxiety
was triggered,

I would eat
large portions of food.

Ice cream or, you know, pizza,

or both, or, you know, chips.

Gradually started to put on
more and more weight.

I was sitting
in my 7th grade class

the first time I experienced
a panic attack.

It was a sensation
as if I was fainting

'cause everything
was going black,

but my eyes were wide open.

Feel like you're being sucked
into a tornado.

You can't get your bearings,
and that you're just dropped

and it just stops.

I actually thought I was
having a heart attack.

Especially because I thought,
you know,

being overweight
automatically meant

heart attack
when you had chest pains.

So I never told anyone
what I was feeling.

I just assumed, you know,

"Well, that's what you get
for being fat.

You're about to have
a heart attack,

so now
you gotta deal with it."

I had to be
the overweight kid,

the fat kid.

Teased relentlessly.

And around the age
of 15 or 16,

I desperately wanted
to be accepted,

so I allowed myself to be
taken advantage by guys.

Whether that was with kissing,

or with anything else
that they wanted to do.

But then afterwards it's like,

you just feel even worse
about yourself.

So that's why
I always tell people,

if you don't wanna
do something, then just say no

and be done with it.
Don't just say yes

or not say anything,
because not saying anything

is just like saying yes.

It made me feel like nothing,
like no one.

Like being isolated and alone,
feeling shame was just

feelings I didn't wanna talk
to anybody else about.

It became a downward spiral.

I started self-harming,

binging and then throwing up.

I remember the first time
I did it, it was by accident

that I did it,
and then I realized

it was something that...

helped, so I just
kept doing it.

I was suffering really badly
with depression

and really bad
with the sadness

that I felt,
was, like, so overwhelming.

And then the more it came on,

the less I felt worthy,

and that's how it was
for a while.

These eggs
are really good, too.

-Thank you.
-Mmm-hmm.

Just before
I turned 18,

they put me
in a mental hospital

for about seven months.

Then after I got out
of the hospital,

I moved to North Carolina
with my mom.

Um, coming from
being in mental hospitals,

it was hard for me
to get my footing.

I didn't have, like,
a career focus.

So I went through the steps
to pursue being

a certified counsellor.

I knew that I could do it

and I would be
good at doing it.

Right now, I really,
really love working.

I love what I do.

Any job that I'm in a position

where I can help somebody
be whole,

that just...
that's where I gravitate.

Ryan?

All right. I'll drive.

Even though I kept it hidden,

I was still struggling with
my own depression and anxiety.

And then during
one of our staff meetings,

I had a panic attack.
It was a really big one.

I had palpitations.
The ambulance was called.

But then after that happened,

I just knew it had come
to the point where

I needed to work from home.

So I did work from home,

and being at home
was less stressful.

I would eat and eat.

I just started to put on
more and more weight.

And by the age of 23,

I was nearly 400 pounds.

I wanted to lose weight,

and I found this program
I started going to daily

for my depression and anxiety.

And my counsellor thought
it would be good for me

to use social media
to meet new people.

And one of the first people
that I met

was this man
who was much older than me.

He was 27 years older than me,

but he was really nice.

And he asked me out to lunch.

He was kind and he was nice,

and that was just something
I wasn't used to.

Then I ended up getting
pregnant and he was excited.

And then I found that

I was pregnant with twins,
and he left.

I was about seven months
into the pregnancy.

It was hard for me
when the relationship ended,

because I did not wanna be
a single mom,

and it was scary.
I took it really hard.

But it was all worth it,
because the only thing

that I can say
I've ever been proud of

in my entire life
is giving birth to my babies.

All right, you can go ahead.

-Bring your phone.
-All right.

Now that
I'm the highest weight
that I've ever been,

even though I don't know what
that is, I can just feel it,

because my mobility is bad.

Seems like I lose
more mobility every day.

Hello.

Hey. Um, can you hear me good?

Yeah.

All right. Let me see. Um...
We'll go down the aisle.

All right.

The worse
my anxiety gets,

the more I eat.

I eat until
it physically hurts.

And now my doctor says
I have become agoraphobic.

I can honestly tell you
this was the first time

I've gone to a grocery store
since 2019.

Get some blueberry Pop-Tarts.

All right.

Okay, so what
about the potato chip aisle?

I hide a lot of stuff
from my children,

because making sure
my kids think I'm okay

has always been important
to me.

And so I try to be open
with them and honest,

but they don't realize
how bad it is.

You know, with my weight
getting out of control,

it's harder to move. It hurts.

I can't, um,
go anywhere comfortably

and I don't wanna, you know,

embarrass my children,

even though
they would never say that.

That's how I think,
and I just...

I just wanna protect them.

So I just decide
to stay to myself

so I'm not
inconveniencing anyone.

So I just stay
in my little bubble.

Ooh, ice cream.

It's my favorite aisle.
Um, let's see.

Oh, I can't even choose.
Oh, my God, I love it. Um...

Get the French vanilla.

This enough ice cream?

Yeah.

You know, actually,

when you were down the, um,

cereal aisle, should have
had you get some cereal.

All right.

All right, grab that.

You want
your fruit juice?

Yeah, fruit juice. Perfect.

Um, get the apple

and the orange, peach, mango.

All right.

I'm running out of places
to put it.

That's okay.
You can put stuff on top.

The car
can handle it.

Also, you know what?
I forgot to have you

get me some chocolate milk.

'Cause I have those cookies.

I need chocolate milk
to go with it.

My children,

they do try
to make things easier for me.

Good job, Ryan.
Thank you so much.

Yeah, I got you.

I know you always got me.
I appreciate you.

When I started
growing up

and I really looked at her
more as a person

instead of just like my mom,

I could see she had
some self-esteem issues

and I try to, like, you know,
just be there for her.

I promised them that I wanted

to be there
for their graduation.

I wanna make the changes
that I need to make.

They're seniors, so they'll be
graduating next year.

So I have a year to get myself
to a point where

I could be healthy enough
to participate.

Oh. Oh, my goodness.

My family
doesn't talk about my size

and how the cycle of eating
keeps me where I am.

It's kind of like
an unspoken secret.

We don't talk about it.

But I think it's just because

they're blinded
by their love for me.

And the fact that, you know,
I still do things,

they don't realize
how bad it is.

-Thank you, honey.
-You're welcome.

I have nothing but good
to say about my mom, man.

Growing up with her,
she's, like, really all I had.

She's the most kindest person
I've ever met.

Considerate, giving,
all of that.

I think that is really why
we're close the way we are,

'cause I don't feel like
I'm walking on eggshells

when I'm talking to her.

Amber?

Something to eat, honey.

I don't think my mom has
a food addiction,

she just eats
more than average.

Here, hold this.

I would like to see
her in a better state,

less anxious. But I never saw
a problem with her weight.

You went to the store
with Ryan, right?

-Mmm-hmm.
-Did you stay in the car

or did you go in?

No, I stayed in the car.

Ryan asked,
but I already knew.

That drive there
was nerve-wracking.

There was no way I was
going to be able to go in.

Mmm.

Her mental health
doesn't really

directly affect me.

But it's like, sometimes I do
worry about her.

My main anxiety
is being bedridden

and not being able
to move at all.

Like, losing the little bit
of mobility that I have left.

Having to be 100% dependent

on my kids for everything.

Oh, man, that was so good.

I have to lose this weight

before I eat myself to death.

It has to change.

I am supposed to see Dr. Now
to get help,

and I'm very nervous about
leaving the house to do that.

But I'm gonna do it.

All right.

Now I'm gonna get these dishes
and everything put away,

just straighten up
so I can get ready for

my appointment with Dr. Now

-a little bit.
-Are you...

Are you doing it in here
or in your room,
the dining room?

No, I'm gonna have it
right over here.

That's why
I wanna straighten up

-so I can make the area clear.
-Oh, okay.

I'm gonna get it all ready
for when it's time.

I'm gonna go
and bother Granny.

All right.

-So...
-Have fun.

I'll see you in a little bit.

I desperately wanted
to go see Dr. Now,

so I called his clinic
and I set that up.

But a couple of days
before going to Houston,

I started to have
panic attacks

and told them I couldn't come.

So today I'm doing
a video call with Dr. Now.

I need his help to start,

and I'm really hoping
I can get that.

-Hi, Karen.
-Hi, Dr. Now.

It's good to meet you.
How you doing today?

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

So, you were supposed
to come down

and see us. So what happened?

I don't actually...
I don't even know what it is.

I just know I couldn't do it.

Like, I became agoraphobic,
like, a couple years ago.

I started going out less
and less.

And then it got to the point
where I just

stopped going out at all.

Me just having, like,
panic attacks when I would
go out.

Even now, it's to the point
where it's too much

and I can't go anywhere.

Like, when I was thinking
about going

to see you,

I got dizzy.

I felt like I couldn't
breathe.

With just thinking about
leaving to travel.

So that's that happened.

Then... I was like,
"Oh, my God, I can't do this."

All right, you know how much
you weigh?

Um, not really.

Um... the last time
I got on the scale,

um... I was 620.

But it's been a while,

so it's probably more than
that.

So you're thinking

you're in north of 620, huh?

Right.

At what age you noticed
you had weight problem?

I've always had weight
problems.

Like, when I was in...

um... nineth grade,

I was, like, 300 pounds.

So...

Um, I don't...

I don't have, like,
a goal weight in mind.

I just wanna be...

healthy.

My short-term goal
is to be able to go

to my children's graduation.

'Cause they're seniors
this year.

So...

Um, I just want to be able
to be comfortable

and no worry about whether
I'm gonna be able to fit in
the seats

to see them graduate.

So just as long as I can
get down to...

small enough so that happens.

So your base issue

not being out of house is

because people judge
your size

and you worry about that?

I don't... I don't...

Actually, I don't even know
what it is.

I just know, like, I just feel
like I'm...

just a hassle for people.

I'm inconveniencing them.

I make things harder than
it should be.

Anybody in your house
has a weight problem
just like you?

Yeah, my daughter.

She has the weight issue.

How old is she, your daughter?

She's 17.

Okay, so, um...

You all eat together
or eat separately?

We don't really sit down
as one and eat together.

For lunch, I'll either order
something out.

And then, like, dinner,
I'll cook.

Or on weekends,

typically after work,
I'll actually order out dinner
too.

So there's times when
I order out for lunch
and dinner.

Before I got to bed,

that's when I do,
like, a lot of snacking.

What do you snack on?

Whatever I have in house.

Like whether it's chips

or, like, cupcakes.

Chips and cupcakes,
things like that.

Well, chips, cupcakes
and things like that will
do it.

So who buys the chips
and cupcakes?

I do, because that I order it.

'Cause I'm the one that
order the groceries for
delivery.

You understand
your weight is related to
what you eat.

-Right, right.
-And if you wanna lose weight,
you eat less.

Right.

If you don't know what to eat
and what not to eat,

at least you understand that
eating less is gonna make you
lose weight.

So what do you think
the solution is?

You wanna stay at home
and keep eating and

magically lose weight?

That's never gonna happen.

Right, I know.

This is going to be something
that you gonna have to change.

And if you don't do that,

your weight is gonna go
up and up

then you're gonna be
bedbound

then everybody got to bring
you food

until your body
cannot take it anymore.

We can give you the
instruction and roadmap
of

what to do what not to do.

But this is all gonna be
up to you

-to make those changes...
-Right.

...and stick with healthy
eating habits.

Because I want you to lose
50 pounds over the next
two months

to show me that you're
serious.

-Okay.
-And I'm gonna send you

some instructions about the

-healthy eating habits.
-Okay.

-Okay.
-The diet will be 1200-calorie
diet

with no carbs, high protein.

So you gonna have to
figure out what's wrong with

every aspect of these three
issues

and work on those

and make the changes
that you need

to turn the situation around.

Okay.

And that is not going to be
easy.

But you can do it

and change your life.

Yes.

Okay.

Okay?

Who drives?
Do you drive or somebody
have to drive you?

I can drive, I just don't.

But, um... my son also drives.

Okay... so...

We can set up a clinic

at your neighborhood

to go to and check
your weight.

So we can monitor your
progress and see where we are.

Because if you don't do
that,

moving, too soon is gonna
be a problem for you.

Weight loss surgery cannot
become an option.

Okay.

So you think you can
do that?

Yes, I know I can.

-Okay?
-Okay.

All right, Karen, it is nice
to meet you.

You too.
Thank you Dr. Now.

You welcome.

If you need anything,
you may call.

Okay.

-Bye now.
-Bye.

I'm terrified about going
out of my house.

But I know this is something
I have to figure out and do.

Because I can't get the help
that I need if I don't.

I can't keep staying
where I'm at

and expecting a different
result.

It seems like,

over time, she has created

a bubble for herself.

Because things are gonna
get worse

the longer she stays like
that.

I'm hoping she's as serious
as she said

about making healthy choices
she needs.

And that therapy will be
able to help her,

start to deal with the fear
she has

going out in the public.

So it is very important

she starts to turn things
around now

before things get much worse
for her and her family.

Oh, hey, girl.
How you doing?

I'm good.

Uh, good morning.

Good morning,
you want something?

Peanut butter toast?

No.

That's like...

That's a death sentence.

Well, I thought I'd ask.

Oops.

Dry on dry is like
asking to be choked.

It's been four days
since I talked to Dr. Now.

I got his book in the mail
and the papers.

And went over them
with him.

They're really strict,
but I've been starting them.

Okay.

So what do you have
plan to do today?

I might read all day.

Yeah, so...

Just drink water.

How are you doing that?

Mm.

It is pretty dry, but...

I'm not in denial.

It's okay, it's okay.

Mm-mm.

Now, I don't know how
you do it.

I'm, uh...

just being more mindful

of what I eat,
how many calories.

Oh.

Not being able to eat
all the foods
that I'm used to eating,

is harder than I expected.

But I'm serious about
doing this.

So I'm hoping I'll get used
to the foods

that I'm allowed to eat.

Because right now,

they don't really taste
all that good.

Here you go, baby.

Wanna follow me?

I'm gonna stop
procrastinating,

so I can get the book
and see what's in it.

Is it like...

-I'm not sure exactly--
-...a guide to losing
weight 101?

Yeah.

It has his face all over it?

Oh, my God.

It's his book, Amber.

Oh, he wrote a book?

-Yeah.
-That's a large font,
you'll be fine.

Um, shoulder exercise,

up and down.

And then arms at the side
and put it...

All right, let me get
comfortable.

And then... let's see,
okay.

See, I can't do this
with you just sitting here.

Okay, okay.

Okay, I'm out.

I'll leave.

I'll just...

-Okay.
-I'll watch from a distance.

Yeah, you can watch from
a distance or just read.

Oh, man.
All right, I'll do the arms.

One, two, three...

Try to do the standing one.

That's gonna be interesting,
okay.

See, touch my toes.

Not quite.

But...

it's close.

I did the physical exercises
for the first time.

They weren't so bad.

Some of these exercises,
they're simple, but...

I mean, I already started
sweating,

so I'm just gonna do these
couple times a day.

And just follow Dr. Now's
plan.

All right.

Okay...

Jeez...

Get the...

nutrition.

Oh, that's a diagram
of a stomach.

Yeah, it goes into
the procedure of having,
like...

-the different things...
-Oh.

...whether you're having,
like, the bypass or...

You're not doing that,
are you?

...the sleeve.

Um, uh...

I don't know, this is the
point of me doing all of this
is to...

-um...
-I mean, yeah,
but it's dangerous.

Every big thing
is a dangerous thing.

My size is dangerous,
so...

you just have to pick
your danger.

I'd rather you stay
that size,

'cause then it's... it's...

Oh, that's...

not really gonna
help me though, Amber.

So...

I'm just saying, surgery's
dangerous.

I know what you're saying.

And I hear you.
Believe me, I do.

I'm having my first
telemedicine call
with a therapist tomorrow.

So I'm gonna take it easy
for the rest of the day.

And go to bed early tonight.

So that I could be better
rested for that.

Because it's all been a lot
for me to take in.

I'm still tired from
yesterday.

And I'm really nervous
about talking to
the therapist.

Because I'm embarrassed
about my relationship with
food.

But I'm hoping it's going to
help me

start to work up the courage

to go out and do what I need
to get healthy.

Hi, Karen.

Hi, Dr. Paradise.

Good to see you today.
How you doing?

Doing okay, it's good to see
you too.

All right, tell me
a little bit about yourself.

What were you like
as a kid?

I mean, I was the responsible
one.

So even though, like,
I had two older sisters,

I was like...

-you know, the mom when my
mom was working.
-Okay.

Even as a young kid,

you were already taking
on that caretaking role?

Oh, yeah, I mean,
'cause my mom,
she had to work.

So...

That, you know...

Everybody still needed to eat.

Things needed to be cleaned.

-You know--
-Are you that kind of person?

You tend to be the one
taking care of other people?

I mean, it's what I do for
a living

and what going to school for.

Because I do like to,
you know, take care of others,
yeah.

Okay.

Okay, so we're onto something
that's a theme.

What was your eating like
as you were taking care of
the house?

Were you cooking food
and eating it at the same
time?

Yeah, I cooked and then I ate.

But I did, like, a lot of
eating in private.

-So... you know, that's what
I would do.
-Secret eating?

Yeah.

Okay.

Karen, you seem pretty bright,
were you good at school?

Well, I barely made it through
high school.

I almost didn't graduate.

I ended up in a...

I ended up going to the
hospital, um...

How did you end up
in the hospital?

Um...

I just... I don't know,

I was just...
I was going through, like...

a lot, like, mentally.

Like, I really...

Always had really bad
anxiety

and depression too, for sure.

Did you get put
in the hospital

'cause you were thinking
of hurting yourself?

I tried to.

-So, yeah...
-Okay.

So you made an attempt
on your life?

Oh, yeah.

You know, I'm also noticing

um, you're talking about
some pretty heavy stuff

with...

you know, pretty intellectual,
even-tempered.

And I can't figure out if
it's that you processed it
well already

or whether you just...

I have to talk about it
like that,

-so I can get though
this.
-So you don't get...

-you don't get too emotional.
-Right.

Okay.

Did you ever finish
up school?

I'm currently in school now.

-Um, and...
-Good for you.

I am actually maintaining
4.0 GPA.

What's you major?

Social work.

That degree is gonna put
you in a position to help
people.

So, Karen, what's going on
with you now?

How can therapy be helpful
to you?

I don't know.
I, uh...

I stopped going into stores.

'Cause the last time
I had gone into the grocery
store,

I don't even know what
happened,

but I had a like a really big
panic attack.

And I just left everything in
the store

and I left and I haven't
been back inside one
ever since.

So we're gonna try to
desensitize you

to that fear.

Your brain is a little bit
like an overly sensitive
smoke detector.

So it's going off when
you're cooking food.

It's... and it's not...

But there's no fire.

-Right.
-So...

one of our big goals

is to help you understand
that

even when your brain is
yelling "Fire,"

there's really not a fire.

So behaviorally,
now we have to

figure out some homework
for you

that's gonna help test
that.

So in my house, for instance,
I have, like...

you know, blackout curtains.

So it's like constantly
dark a lot.

And, and...

Karen, that's one of the worst
things you can do

for your mental health.

Well, I also have a light.

Like, I don't sleep
in the dark.

So I sleep with my light
on.

My light stays on, like,
24/7.

So...

-Okay, so you're doing
the opposite.
-Right, right.

Opposite of what's healthy.

Meaning that your, your...

um, getting light at night,

when it should be dark.

And during the day,
when you should be getting
light,

you're living behind blackout
curtains

with artificial light.

So, um...

I'm gonna give you
a homework you're gonna
hate.

-You ready for it?
-Oh, God. No.

Okay.

But I think you could
do it.

Oh, no.

I need you to open
the curtains.

Oh, thought you were...
I was afraid you were
gonna say that.

And every morning.

Because your brain thinks
you live in a cave.

-And caves don't make people
mentally healthy.

And the nice thing about
this assignment,

it's not really that hard
to open a curtain.

Let that light shine
on you.

Your sleep will improve.

Are you having trouble
sleeping right now?

Yeah, I get about
three, four hours.

Okay.

Start there.

I wish you could start
yesterday,

-But start tomorrow.
-Okay.

Though I...

Karen, I saw a little dog
running in the background.

Yeah, that's my baby.

Take that dog for a walk.

Oh, God.
Okay.

Oh.

You know, taking a dog on
a walk is almost like him
to the movies.

Right.

There's all kinds of smells
and interesting things
out there.

I mean, that's as much for
your dog as you.

That dog deserves a walk
around the block.

Even if it's a short
go,

you know, just to the end
of the street and back.

Don't retreat when your
anxiety jacks up.

'Cause we're gonna test
you a little bit.

I'm super optimistic
for you.

-Thank you.
-Like, your pull of the
curtains,

sitting outside
in the backyard,

and a couple of walks
for the dog,

whole world's opening
up to you.

Okay, thank you so much,
Dr. Paradise.

I appreciate it.

Take care, Karen, it was great
to see you.

-Bye-bye.
-You too, thanks, bye.

So I'm willing to try
the things that
Dr. Paradise suggested.

Even taking my dog
for a walk when I can
get to that point.

But for now, I'm just focusing
on the first step.

Tomorrow, I'm gonna try
pulling my curtains a little
when I wake up.

I'm just hopeful that
it will work.

I'm not sure.

Because all of it,
just a thought of it,
making me anxious.

So I guess we'll just see.

Hopefully, it will help me.

Bye, baby.

Hey, baby.

Hold on,

let me open up
the window.

I'm working on little changes
to get to the point

where I can be out
of the house more.

So Dr. Paradise asked
me to

open my curtains
and makes sure that
I go outside

and that walk the dog.

Having my curtains open,

opening the windows
and, um...

it was hard because
I don't like so much
exposure.

But that's something that
I can probably implement
daily.

But it's still difficult
to do.

Bismo,
you wanna go outside?

I'm coming, I know,
I'm coming.

The other part of the
homework that I had

was taking my dog out
for walks.

I'm hoping to implement
that.

I'm afraid of doing too much
and then...

getting to a point where I
shut down again, so...

You ready to come back in,
Bismo?

I don't know if I can do that

right now.

Bismo... eat the blueberry.

You giving him food again?

Watch, you could see
what he did with it.

What do you have planned
now?

Well, I am going to...

try to take Bismo
for a walk.

See how that works out.

Want me to go with you?

Um, I think, I'm gonna do it
by myself first

just to see

how it goes.

All right.

Actually,

I'll go for a walk.

Well, good luck.

Thank you, honey.

Let me put this up
and we'll go.

All right.

It's just around the block,
no big deal.

I can do this.

I can do it.

Oh, boy.
I can do this.

Hold on, Bismo.
Sit right here.

I don't know.

Come on.

I'm sorry, Bismo,
I can't.

Bismo, come on, honey.

Come on, baby. I'm so sorry.
I can't do this. Come on.

When I first tried to go out,
I just... It was overwhelming

and I couldn't do it.
I just...

I knew I wasn't gonna be able
to go and do it.

Come on, boy.
Come on, let's go.

It just was not
a good experience.

So it was hard.

I came back pretty quick.

Oh, my gosh.

Feeling very anxious
and I just wanted

to get back home.

Oh, that was terrible.

Oh, man.

Sorry.

That was quick.

I know. It was terrible.
I tried. I was...

You weren't gone
that long, though.

I know. So I literally came
right back.

-Well, you still got out.
-I know.

I have an appointment
in a few days

to go to the clinic
for a weight check-in.

I don't know how I'm gonna
do that and make that drive

when I couldn't even
really go around the block.

You're pretty well-known

to, like, persevere
through things, so I...

have faith that
you could get through it.

You wanna go through it?

So you mean like a dry run?

Yeah, you know how, like,
practicing for an interview?

-Right.
-Pretty much the same thing.

-Yeah, so...
-Come here, Bismo.

Yeah, we could do that. Yeah,
that's actually a good idea.

All right.
You know I don't mind.

I'll keep going out
and trying,

but, um,
it's just not gonna be easy,

so I just need to

just keep at it
and keep doing it,

and hopefully it gets easier

as time goes on
and the more I do it.

I don't know how
I'm gonna make that drive,

'cause that was terrible.

Oh, God. Just have to hurry up

and get this over with.
I feel sick.

Amber?

-Coming.
-Okay.

Close the door
behind you, honey.

Yup, yup.

Amazes me how wide
this door can open.

Tonight I'm preparing
to go out to the car...

Fireflies!

...and practice
the dry run for my visit

to the health clinic tomorrow.

-Dang, it's dark.
-I know.

It's all right. The fireflies
will light the way.

It's not the fireflies
I'm worried about.

It'll be fine.

If it was
only fireflies it'd be better.

This is really big for me,

and it's gonna be much further

than I'm used to going
from my home.

Oh, boy. Okay. Jesus.

All right. You ready?

Mmm-hmm.

Oh, God.
Okay, here we go.

And I'm not feeling
very confident

that I can do it right now.

I'm feeling nauseous.

Oh, Lord. No.

Just relax.
I'm not gonna vomit,

but I'm just feeling queasy.

Oh, thank God.

-I mean, I don't...
-I know, it's okay.

Man, I already have
butterflies in my stomach

and we just pulled out
the driveway.

Fortunately
this neighborhood's
pretty quiet,

'cause the roads
aren't that busy right now.

But I'm just wondering what
it's gonna be like tomorrow

when I actually have to go
to my appointment.

Well, shouldn't expect
too much traffic.

I hope so.

Because this is already
nerve-wracking as it is, so...

You're doing fine.

I'm trying,
that's for sure.

I said I would try,
and that's all I can do.

Let the North Star
guide you.

I don't know where it is.

Okay.

Oh, when did they put
this car wash over here?

I didn't even know
that was over here. Jeez.

Everything just looks
so different. Oh, my gosh.

But, yeah, I'm just...
I'm more concerned with...

you know,
going to a new place

and trying to figure out,

you know,
how many people there,

and just having
to navigate that

and just thinking about it

just makes me just nervous
and anxious.

And I'm hoping by doing this,

this will kind of calm
my anxiousness,

so by tomorrow I'll be okay.

It's like being
the new student

at a school that's already
halfway through the semester.

It's pretty much
that feeling.

Like, that's what it feels
like. Just being the new--

-All attention's on you.
-Right.

When in reality,
these people don't care.

And I know that.
Like, logically, I know that

probably no one
is thinking about me

or even paying attention
to the fact that I'm there.

But there's nothing logical
about anxiety.

-So it's just...
-Ain't that the truth.

We're coming up
on a highway soon

and I'm getting
more and more nervous.

I don't know if I can do it.

I can't even see well at night

to drive the highway.

I don't know if I'm gonna
be able to do that.

There's a light up here,

I'm supposed to turn
and go on a highway,

but I can't do it, Amber.

Like, I really feel like
I'm gonna be sick.

-Oh, my gosh.
-Uh, turn back, turn back.

Yeah, I gotta go back home.

Look at my hand, Amber.
It's, like, literally shaking.

I don't know how I'm gonna

make the trip
to see the doctor.

And that's something
I really, really wanna do.

But trying to navigate that
with my anxiety,

I don't know
how I'm gonna do this.

I thought
I would be able to do it.

But just even driving along
regular city streets

makes me anxious.
I don't know how

I'm gonna be able
to do the highway.

You'll figure it out.

I know. I have to.

Do what you gotta do.

I know.
I'm just gonna...

turn around in here and...

So I'm just trying to

go back home, because...

I need to make sure
I get you home safe so...

And not have
a full-blown panic attack
when I'm driving.

-Oh, please don't.
-No, I won't.

In through your nose,
out through your mouth.

That's how it works.

Oh, that's good enough.

I missed the appointment.

It was too much for me,

and I kind of shut down.
I couldn't do it.

And I know
I've been avoiding Dr. Now

for the past few weeks,

because he was trying
to get a hold of me.

But I wanted some time
to work on his diet

and exercise,

to make some progress
to show him

I do wanna change my life now.

I just can't go out right now.

I think I'll have the courage
once I lose more weight.

But I feel like
I already lost a big amount,

even in just a month.

Hi. Thank you.

Have a good one.

I told Dr. Now's clinic

I was okay with getting on
a video call with him again,

and I'm hoping he can see
some of my progress,

and that it's enough for him
to keep working with me.

Even though I don't think
I can go to a clinic

and get my weight
or a check-up right now,

I just hope
Dr. Now understands

and sees how committed I am.

Hi, Karen. How you doing?

Hi, Dr. Now. Um, I'm okay.

Just struggling a little bit.

I don't know,
I just couldn't do it.

Couldn't do what?

I couldn't go and make
it to the appointment.

I tried to go down

and drive down to the clinic,

and just so I can have,
you know,

a practice run
to help with my anxiety

and getting there, but,
you know, I didn't sleep well

the night before,
and I panicked.

I just shut down.

I wasn't able to do it.

Not right now,
but I think

once I lose some more weight,

I might have the courage
to do it soon.

So how much weight
you think you need to lose

to be able to go to a clinic?

I'm not sure.
Um, I know I'm working on it.

I've been, um,
following the plan,

the eating plan, and I've been
exercising every day.

So I'm just hoping that
by continuing to do that,

um, I'll have the courage

to, um, go and see you.

So how much weight
do you think you have lost?

Um, I think I've lost
maybe 100 pounds.

Sometimes people lose
6, 7 pounds,

they convince themselves
they've lost a lot of weight.

But I don't think
you've lost 100 pounds.

Dr. Now, I promise

I'm doing everything
you told me to do

and I'm losing
a lot of weight.

I'm committed to doing what
it takes to change my life.

I just need
a little bit more time to, um,

be able to go out
in public again.

Yes, Dr. Now.
I'm gonna continue to do

everything that you are giving
for me to do,

as long as you keep
working with me

and helping me, um,
get to the point where

I am comfortable
leaving the house again.

Do you understand if you want
weight loss surgery,

you're gonna have to move
down to Houston?

I do, and I'm gonna get to
a point where I can do that,

because I am committed
to turning my life around.

Okay.
In the meantime...

Are you going to be able
to do that?

Yes. Yes, Dr. Now,
I'll be able to do that.

Okay.
We'll set that up for you.

So in the meantime if you need
anything, give us a call.

I will, Dr. Now.
Um, thank you so much.

Don't give up on me.
I'm gonna do it.

As long as you keep working
on what you need,

we'll see what options
we got for you, okay?

All right,
thank you so much, Dr. Now.

-You're welcome.
-All right, bye-bye.

Bye now.

I initially worried that
he wouldn't continue
working with me.

But I wish he'd see
how much weight I lost,

because I know
it's a lot at this point.

Yes, Bismo. It's lunch time.

But maybe if I'm able
to get my weight,

it'll show him
how much I've lost.

The doctor mentioned about
having someone come here

to check my weight
and my vitals,

and I think
that would be helpful

so I can know
exactly where I am,

and we can go from there.

I know, Bismo. I got it.

Dr. Now worked out
someone coming here

with a scale
and to do some tests.

I'm nervous about having
a stranger in my house.

-Hi.
-Hi, is it Karen?

-I'm Dr. Staten.
-Hi.

I'm here to get
your weight checked.

All right, you come on in.
Come here, Bismo.

-Hey.
-I'm sorry. He's...

It's all right.

All right.

Let's go ahead
and do this now.

Yeah, you can just... Yeah.

All right.

-And I'm just gonna put
my bag here.
-Bag, yeah.

-Hi.
-Bismo.

And so we'll do the...

We'll go ahead and do
the weight first, okay?

-Okay. You wanna...
-Do the blood pressure later.

-Okay.
-So give me a second.
I'm gonna turn that on.

Okay, and, right.
Go ahead and stand up.

I'm really nervous
about getting on the scale...

Wonder if I should
take my shoes off for it.

-You can if you want to.
-Any little bit helps.

Yeah, let's do that.

...and hope
the number is really low

to show Dr. Now
I've made a lot of progress.

Stand real still for me.

But I'm scared
'cause I'm not really sure

what it's going to say.

I know that
I was up to at least 640,

and I think I'm gonna be down
to at least 540.

All right. So, um... 604.

-Yeah.
-All right?

Oh, man.

Thought it was gonna be
less than that.

Yeah.

Well, just be encouraged.
Keep working hard at it.

-Okay? Yeah?
-Yeah, all right.

I'm a little disappointed.

But I'm glad
I clearly lost some.

-Hello.
-Hi, Dr. Now.

Hi, Karen.
Well, what is your weight?

Um, it was 604.

When I first started
I think I was in a high 600s,

so, um, I might
have still probably lost

close to 100 pounds.

Yes. Think I'm gonna lose
more than that.

Okay...

With the weight that I know
I can lose by then,

I think I'll get up the nerve
to do that.

Okay, we'll set
that up for you.

In the meantime if you need
anything, give me a call.

I will.
Thank you so much, Dr. Now.

-Bye now.
-Bye.

Gonna get
your blood pressure checked.

Oh, boy. Okay.

-Calm down a little bit.
-I know.

I wish I would have
gotten a little bit

more credit for the hard work
that I put in.

Um, I didn't really have
my starting weight,

I just feel that it was...
I think it was in high 600s,

even maybe close to 700, so...

'Cause I do feel I lost

at least almost 100 pounds,

because I can definitely feel
the difference in my body.

Um, but I'm gonna
continue to just, um,

work with the program
and follow

Dr. Now's diet and exercise

so I can prove myself to him
and show him

that I'm gonna be able
to do this.

Amber, can you come get
the groceries, babe?

Coming.

Would you be able
to get it?

Yeah, it's not much.

I've been working hard
over the past few weeks.

I've been sticking to the diet
and exercises...

I'm coming, Bismo. I'm sorry.

...and even driving
around the block every day,

and I feel like
I'm making progress.

Oh, jeez.

Come on, Bismo.

Let's sit and wait for Amber
to bring groceries in.

Up. Come on. Up. Up.

Hold on.

All right,
the hairdresser is on her way.

I can relax
for seven minutes.

-Thanks for your help.
-Mmm-hmm.

-Bismo. Come here.
-Bismo.

Don't call him,
he'll go to you.

I'm... I did not mean
to squeeze it. I did not.

-I just meant to move it.
-Go.

I'm still
nowhere close to being able
to go out into public.

Okay. Oh, actually, I don't
think I wanna touch that.

But since someone
came into my home,

I've been a little
more willing to let others in

and I've been letting
people come over.

What you doing?

Oh, that's her, Amber. Can you
go get the door for me?

Yeah. Oh, Bismo,
chill out. Calm down.

Bismo, chill out.

You got the dog?

Oh, yeah.

-How you doing?
-I'm sure
he recognizes you by now.

I know. He don't bark
no more.

-Hey.
-Hey.

-How are you?
-Hanging in there.

Hanging in there.

You can, um, just...
Well, let me just move this

-out of the way.
-Okay.

-Oh, my gosh, look at you.
-Yeah.

Oh, man.

I'm like, "What in the world?"

When are you due again?
I'm sorry.

It'll be, like, July 12th.

-Oh, July. Oh, my gosh.
-Mmm-hmm.

Like, so you're, like,
due-due.

-Right.
-Like, soon.

Brianna used to be
my hairdresser,

and she said
she can do house calls.

I know it's been a while,
so I appreciate you

-being able to do this for me.
-No problem.

No problem at all.

And I just wanna do, like,
two braids

and, like, a little bit
of the leave out.

-Like, in the front zone.
Yeah.
-In the front.

-With the ends, too?
-Oh, yeah.

-If you don't mind.
-All right, I got you.

Thank you.

So that's been exciting
for me,

because we have
fun conversations,

so I look forward
to her coming over.

I know!

I appreciate it,
and it's funny,

'cause that's why
when I reached out
I was kinda nervous,

'cause I know it's been
a couple years.

So I was like, "Oh, man."

So, but I'm so excited

I don't have to worry about
my hair for a little bit now.

-This is the best part.
-Yes.

I mean, in summer months
I usually just, you know,

-do, like, a wash and go.
-Mmm-hmm.

-And I'll just,
you know, leave it.
-You want it curly.

-Yeah, I just wear it
naturally, yeah.
-Girl!

But it's annoying,
'cause I don't like

my hair touching, like,
my face.

You're the same
as my sister.

-Right.
-She's saying the same thing.

Yeah, I can't stand it, so...

Look at that tail.
Just look at it.

You excited.
Oh, you excited. Good boy.

You're mama's baby, huh?

Are you mama's baby?

-He looking at you.
-I know.

Oh, my goodness.

-Oh, Lord.
-Those are...

-Oh, my God.
-I don't know
what's wrong with me.

That was funny.

All right, Miss Karen.

All right, I'm gonna take...

Put my glasses on,
second look.

-Okay.
-It's been so long.

-Oh, my gosh.
-Right?

Can't wait to see
what it looks like.

Okay. Oh, my gosh. Um...

And I hate looking in
the mirror but I'mma do it.

Oh, my God,
you made me look so pretty!

You like it?

Girl, I love it.
Thank you.

Man, you are
a frickin' miracle worker.

Thank you!

I look like
a brand-new person.

Oh, my God.

-I'm glad you love it.
-Yes.

You have everything? Oh, man.

-Yes, ma'am.
-My leg fell asleep.

Okay, I got you here.

-Thank you.
-No problem, babe.

-Good seeing you.
-You too. Thank you.

And I think after
losing my next 100 pounds

I'll be ready
to leave the house

and be in
the public eye again.

It's the day of my appointment
to go to the clinic,

and I feel like
I made great progress

with my weight loss
and stamina.

And I hope that translates
into me having the courage
to go today.

But Dr. Now told me

I'm supposed to lose
at least 50 pounds.

I'm terrified.

-Hey.
-Oh, hey.

-You're still getting ready?
-Yeah.

I'm just nervous about
this appointment, so...

I know it's been a while
since I've been anywhere,

so I'm gonna...

try put on some makeup today.

Oh, neat.

-Pulling out the makeup.
-Yeah.

My mother managed
to lose a lot of weight

even without leaving the
house, which is impressive.

I'm proud of her.

I mean, I've been doing
everything that

Dr. Paradise told me to do.

I've been opening up
the windows

and looking outside
and I went outside,

but I just don't know
if I'm ready to.

I don't know if I can do it
but I'm going to try.

I'm not going to give up.

I mean, driving during the day

is better than driving
during the night.

I know. We'll see.

You did that
not that long ago.

Bismo, are you watching me?

He is staring hard.

I know.

Oh, Lord.

-Do we have eyeliner?
-Yeah.

I don't know how
you managed that.

Yeah.

Well, it's going to have to do
but it's not perfect.

Nice.

10:45 and my appointment
is at 11.30

so it's time to get going.

We can leave out together

but I just want
to grab my stuff.

Oh, pull your shirt down
in the back.

Okay.

All right, come on Amber.

You know,
I'm still feeling really
nervous about this drive,

so, thanks for riding
with me, Amber.

Mmm-hmm.

We're coming up to the part

where I turned around
the other day

so, actually it's kind of hard
to focus right now.

Well, just speed past it.
Won't have to worry.

Oh, now,
there comes the knots.

My stomach is in knots.

We're almost there,
aren't we?

I know.
That's the problem.

Oh, we're almost there.

Oh, my mouth
just got really dry too.

We don't have
anything to drink.

I know. It's okay.
We're going to get there.

Uh, I don't think I can do it.

I know there's going to be
people in there

I don't know and...

I'm not going to be able
to do this, Amber.

I'm just going to go
back home.

What are you
even scared of?

Building's not that low.

What's the worst
that can happen?

A lot of people?

I don't know.
That's the problem.

I don't know what the worst
that can happen is

and I'm not ready
to go find out either.

I'm definitely not trying
to give up here

but I'm just scared
to go into a new place.

I'm just not ready yet.

The doctor for
my mother, uh she,

I wouldn't say freaked out
but she definitely

was a bit shaky,
anxious, nervous.

It felt off.

I'm not used to seeing her
act like that.

You can call, can't you?

I don't know. I'm just going
to have to go back home

and I'll just call
when I get home.

I don't know what this means.

I was hoping I was going to be
ready for this, but I'm not.

And I don't know
when I will be.

I just know it's not now.

And I'm scared.

Because I don't know
what that's gonna mean
for my future.

It's been about a week

since I was supposed to have
my appointment at the clinic.

This time I didn't want
to avoid Dr. Now.

He agreed to send
the scale to me

to see if I made progress.

I told him he'd be really
happy with how much I lost.

And I'm hoping that convinces
him how hard I'm working.

Calm down. Calm down, Bismo.

He said whether
any of this continues

would come down
to whether I made

any real progress or not.

And I'm looking forward
to being able to show him
that I have.

Hi. Come here, Bismo.
Come here.

Hey, Karen,
how are you?

Good. How are you?
Come on in, Bismo.

-Oh, well.
-Bismo, get in.

We're going to be coming
this way, yeah.

-Oops. I'm sorry. I'm trying
to close the door on you.
-It's okay.

All right.

Weighing in today?

-Uh, yeah.
-Ready?

No, but we can do it.

Last time I was at 604 pounds.

And I was supposed to lose
at least 50 pounds.

I should've gone
to the bathroom.

And I think I lost somewhere
close to 200 pounds.

And so I think I'm going to be
in the 400s today.

Okay. 583.

Are you sure?
Is that the right...

Is that scale
working properly?

Yes, I'm pretty sure.
We just zeroed it out.

So we can make sure
that it was clear.

Um, it's on
a level surface. So...

Okay.

I don't understand it.

Because I know I lost
a whole lot more than that.

I don't want to have
to call a doctor now
with that number.

Because I know it's wrong.

But I know I can't avoid it.

You're okay.

Hi, Doctor Now.

Hi, Karen. How are you doing?

I'm kind of frustrated
right now

because I weighed myself
this morning.

The scale is not going down
to the number

that I think it should be at.

Because I know, you know,
I've lost 100 pounds

since starting the program.

And it's just not
showing that. So...

And I know you're not going
to be happy with the number.

So I'm just kind of frustrated
and processing in that.

Well, what does the scale say?

It says 583, but that's only
about 20 pounds

less than last time.

So I know
that can't be accurate.

So I think the scale is off.

Yeah,
she's still here.

-Can I talk to her?
-Yes.

Hi, Doctor Now.

Okay, yeah, I can do that.

I'll go ahead and move it
over here, okay?

Okay, 585.

It said 585 this time.

That's not right, Doctor Now,

because it's higher
than before,

and that's not right.

No, I am, Doctor Now,
because I can feel it.

Well, if you think
you have lost

and you feel it,

why doesn't it show on you

that you lost
that much weight?

Everyone can tell
how much I lost.

People have told me how much.

You don't go out,
so by everyone telling you,

that means your family?

Yes,
but they can see it.

Okay, I'm not going
to argue with you,

but the scale is a tool
that measures your weight

and your progress.

And it shows
that you only lost

half of what you need to lose

to show me that
you're willing to do this.

And on top of that,

you're still not
leaving the house.

So you haven't shown me

that you're going to be able
to come to Houston

even if we approve you
for weight loss surgery.

So at this point,
what you are willing to do?

I want to change my life,
Doctor Now, and I am.

Give me one last chance,
Doctor Now.

Okay, Karen, if I give you
another chance,

what is the plan?

I'm going to lose more weight

and be at the goal
that you want,

and I'm going to go
to the local clinic.

So if I give you
a few more months...

Yes, Doctor Now.

If we give you another chance

and set you up
with the therapy,

are you willing to keep
that appointment?

Oh, yes, Doctor.
I've been doing everything

and I'll keep doing it because
I want to turn my life around.

That means that you have
to realize that you have to do

much more than
you have done so far,

and you have to improve
your eating habit

and try to lose 50 pounds
in two months,

And overcome the fear
of going out of the house.

Okay?

So those are the things
that you need to do

to change your life.
You think you can do that?

I guess.

All right, Karen. That means
I'll see you in two months.

If you need anything
before then, give me a call.

Okay, thank you, Doctor Now.

You're welcome, and bye now.

Bye.

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

All right, yeah, thank you
so much for coming again.

You're welcome.

Well, today I came
to see Karen, um,

to get her weight for
Doctor Now's appointment.

She felt that
the scale wasn't correct.

It's highly unlikely
that the scale

is going to be inaccurate,

and maybe about
a pound or two difference,

but it shouldn't be too off.

It's just frustrating...

...because I know
I'm doing really well.

I feel that
the scale wasn't accurate

because, um, the nurse had

a hard time
zeroing out the weights.

I just want to prove
to Doctor Now

that I'm going to lose the
goal that he gave me to lose

so I can show him
that I'm serious about it.

I am glad that
Karen is making progress,

but the reality is
she's not making

nearly as much progress
as she should.

And nowhere near the level
she thinks she is.

Unless she wakes up
and sees that and works hard,

then not much is going to be
different in two months.

Amber, can you get me
the ingredients?

I worked hard
these past two months.

And I know I've made
more progress.

You can go ahead and open up
the packs for me.

But I've decided I'm not
going to put myself

through everything it takes
to try to go out again.

If I'm just going to be told,
it's not enough.

So I called Doctor Now to ask

if the scale could
be brought to me again.

And if not, then I understand.

But I won't be pursuing
his program anymore

if that's the case.

He called and told me
he'd send the scale.

But only to see
if I made it to my goal.

If I did, then he'd
keep working with me.

If not, then he says
we're done.

Don't burn yourself, please.

And set a timer
for three hours on the stove.

Oh, can you go grab
the door for me?

Hi, how are you?

-Hey, Karen.
How's it going?
-Hi.

Good, how are you?

I'm doing well, thank you.

Good.

So, weighing today?

-Yeah.
-All right.

Let me go ahead
and zero the scale
this time, make sure.

-Okay.
-Okay?

Bismo, leave her alone.

Okay, let's see.

Alright, ready?

Yeah.

Okay, gotta step up.

I was 583 last time,

and I was supposed to lose
at least 50 pounds.

So that means I have to be
below 533 today.

Let it lock in.

Okay, we got 572.

How's that?

Is that right?
Was that zeroed out?

Yes, we did.
Just zeroed it out.

Well, there's no point
in calling Dr. Now

because he's not going
to believe me when I tell him

that there's something wrong
with the scale, so...

I'm feeling frustrated

because I've been working
as hard as I ever have

to follow Dr. Now's plans
for me to the T,

but I'm being let down
by the same lady

with the same scale.

I have mixed feelings
about what's happening

between me and Dr. Now

because I'm grateful to him
and his program

for giving me the motivation
to start making the changes

that I need to lose weight.

But I am not happy
with the way he and
his staff are treating me.

Now that I have a plan,

I'm going to be happier
doing it on my own.

Hello?

Hey, Karen.

Hi, Dr. Now.

It's because I'm working
my hardest, Dr. Now,

and I don't feel like what the
scale is saying is accurate.

And I don't feel like
there's any point in
talking to you about it.

You're not going
to believe me anyway.

Dr. Now, I've worked
the hardest and I ever worked

in my life to make
the changes for these
last past six months,

and I have lost 100 pounds
since September.

You're telling me
that's not enough?

Okay, Karen.

And the other issue is that

you still won't go out
in the public,

and, uh, that issue, we need
to keep working on it

because we can't provide you
the tools for long term

if you're not able to do that.

So at this point,
there is not much more

we can do for you, Karen.

You and I agree on that,
Dr. Now.

Thank you for the help
that you've given me
up to this point,

but I think
I got it from here.

Okay, Karen,
wish you well and the best.

And if you want to still keep
working with Dr. Paradise

uh, on your agoraphobia,
we can continue with that.

I appreciate that,
but thank you.

I have my own therapist

I'm going to continue
to work with.

Okay, well,
I hope you do.

Okay, thank you,
Dr. Now. Bye.

Bye-bye.

I know
I'm doing incredible.

I lost so much and can handle
so much more than I could

before I started this journey.

I have Dr. Now's plan,
so I know what to do.

And I don't want to keep
getting on the scale

or seeing anyone about this.

I'm just going to do it
on my own.

And I know
I'm going to succeed.

Hi, buddy.

Come on up.

But my concern
is that she's not

seeing her situation
objectively.

And unless something happened
and open her eyes

to the fact that
she has not made

as much progress
as she thinks...

If she starts to wake up
at any point,

we will see
what we can do to help her.

But until then,
I wish her the best.

Awesome. Thank you.

You want to come
over this way,

or you gonna sit on the--

Hey, let me move so you can
come to this side.

All right. You ready to lose?

You didn't even know
how to set it up.

I've been feeling great.

I continue to lose weight,
and I'm going to continue

to lose more weight.

Okay.

I think Dr. Now's program
did help get me started,

so now that I have the tools,

I'm confident I can do it
on my own from this point.

But I don't need it
to keep going to succeed

because I'm going to make it
to my goal.

Oh, no.

Oh, I hate you. Oh, my God.

I've been waiting.

Oh, my gosh.
How did I miss that?

Oh, you got it. Okay.

I'm actually full. I'll eat
more of the salad later.

All right. Oops,
there it goes. All right.

It's getting late, so...

I should do a weight check.

See how much I weigh now.
What do you think?

Go for it. You want to go
in my room?

-Sure.
-All right.

I got my own scale.
I ordered it.

I know I'm doing incredible
because I lost so much

that my clothes are starting
to hang looser.

I know that I've lost
over 100 pounds,

and I'm just going
to continue to lose more.

All right, Amber,
I'm going to get on.

You tell me how much it says.

552.

Oh, my gosh.

All right. Give me high five.

-I won't look--
-No, you high fived my arm.

Oh, my gosh. I'm so excited.

That means I've lost a lot
of weight. That's awesome.

Awesome. I know.
I'm so excited.

My mother has made
a lot of progress.

She's eating less.
She's been moving more.

Dr. Now may have
helped my mother

begin her weight loss journey,

but I'm sure she can get
to her goal on her own.

-Soon you'll be under 500.
-I know. I can't wait.

I think there's something
with the setup at home

that makes the scale
read funny

because I think I've lost
even more than it shows.

I'm going to share this
with Ryan.

I know he's excited
to hear it.

My son's graduation
is in a month.

I was really hoping
to be there,

but that's going to be too
fast and too much for me.

But I found a local therapist
to talk to,

and I know I'm going
to be confident

to go out into the world soon.

I'm building up the courage
to do that.

I'm going to put that salad
away so I can eat it later.

Oh yeah, you didn't finish it.