'My 600-lb Life' Season 8 Episode 1: John and Lonnie's weight issues influenced by troubled childhood

TLC returned with a new season of ‘My 600-lb Life’ today. The first episode of the television reality series focussed on ‘John and Lonnie’s story’, two siblings from Texas, both morbidly obese.

It is revealed at the beginning of the episode that John and Lonnie’s weight issues root back to their childhood, which witnessed trouble in their parents' marriage. 

While John’s extreme dependency on food was driven by his father’s loss, Lonnie sought comfort in eating when his religious family wouldn’t accept his sexuality, when he came out as gay. 

John struggles to take the first steps in the morning. He’s supported by his wife Amber and her son Caleb.

Meanwhile, Lonnie, John’s brother is avoiding marriage at all costs, because his life is limited by his weight and also, he’s unable to get over the treatment of his former husband. 

As the episode progresses, giving more insight into what led to his enormous frame, he reveals that his appetite came with anxiety during his time in the hospital as a sick child. 

John learned that Lonnie was gay when he was 15. Their relationship changed as John was raised to be religious. However, with the help of their father, the siblings agree to give their relationship another shot. 

But, they have realized they are in a bad place and want to change it before they lose each other. They decide to go to Houston to meet the doctor Nowzaradan, considering their last option. 

Upon reaching the hospital, Lonnie steps first on the scale only to realize he weighs 612 pounds. Meanwhile, John weighs 686 pounds. 

Following the usual protocol, the doctor puts the siblings on a high-protein low-carb diet and says they wouldn’t consider the surgery unless they make serious changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. 

The challenge awaits the family now as they’ve always enabled one another’s eating habits. Will John and Lonnie be able to achieve their goal in the given time period?