My 600-lb Life season 13 episode 1 recap: Jonathan fights to save his marriage while confronting his food addiction with Dr. Nowzaradan

The premiere of My 600-lb Life season 13, titled Jonathan’s Journey, aired on January 1, 2025. The episode followed Jonathan Colp, a 36-year-old from Macedonia, Illinois, who weighed 641 pounds at the beginning of his journey.

Once an EMT first responder, Jonathan’s weight confined him to his room, making daily tasks challenging. His wife, Tzena, worked full-time as a nurse to support them while managing household responsibilities alone.

Jonathan revealed the roots of his struggles, tracing them back to a difficult childhood marked by poverty and food insecurity. These experiences, coupled with the trauma of his father’s alcoholism, shaped his unhealthy relationship with food.

With the help of Dr. Nowzaradan, Jonathan took his first steps toward reclaiming his health. The episode documented his progress as he followed a strict diet, worked on improving his lifestyle, and prepared for weight-loss surgery in My 600-lb Life.

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Jonathan’s struggles and his commitment to change in My 600-lb Life

The premiere episode of My 600-lb Life began with Jonathan discussing the challenges of living with extreme obesity. He described how daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating breakfast had become almost impossible. Reflecting on his current state, he shared:

“The amount of weight that pushes down on my diaphragm and chest makes it hard to breathe.”

His wife, Tzena, supported him as much as possible, but she tearfully shared in a confessional:

“I know he wants to help, but he’s not able to.”

Jonathan recounted his childhood in a home plagued by financial hardships and his father’s alcoholism.

“We had electricity but no plumbing or sewage management,” he said, explaining how poverty led to his dependency on fried foods.

At his initial consultation, Dr. Nowzaradan weighed him at 641 pounds and asked what he did all day. “I kinda just sit there and stare at the four walls,” Jonathan replied. The doctor discussed the importance of portion control and assigned him a strict diet and tasks to learn about food management.

Determined to turn his life around, Jonathan reduced his calorie intake significantly, from 10,000 calories a day to just 1,200. After two months, he lost 87 pounds and said:

“I’ll work as hard as I need to, to turn my life around.”

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Jonathan's progress and surgery in the premiere of My 600-lb Life

As Jonathan advanced in his journey, he experienced both milestones and challenges. By month 5, he had lost 125 pounds and felt more capable of contributing to household tasks. Reflecting on his progress, he shared:

“I’m able to do things and take some weight off from my wife.”

However, moving to Houston for surgery brought hurdles, as he and Tzena had to live apart temporarily. Despite these challenges, Jonathan maintained his commitment to his diet and exercise plan.

In month 7, Jonathan underwent sleeve gastrectomy after consistently meeting his targets. Dr. Nowzaradan expressed approval of his efforts, stating:

“I’m proud of your progress. Keep it up.”

Post-surgery, Jonathan followed a liquid diet and began shedding weight steadily. By month 11, he weighed 441 pounds, marking a total loss of 200 pounds. Jonathan expressed hope for his future, stating:

“I feel like I’ve turned my life around.”

The episode ended on a celebratory note as he and Tzena went shopping to mark his achievements. Jonathan acknowledged the long road ahead but expressed gratitude for the support that had helped him take control of his life.

“I know I can keep going and reach my goal,” he said.

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Watch new episodes of My 600-lb Life, airing every Wednesday at 8 pm ET on TLC.