Nathan Prater’s story isn't your typical reality TV arc. When we first saw Nathan My 600 lb Life season 10 episode, it felt heavy. Literally. He weighed 607 pounds. But the numbers aren't what stuck with people. It was the vibe in that house. You could feel the tension through the screen between Nathan and his wife, Amber.
They were both struggling. Hard.
Usually, these episodes follow a strict formula: person eats, person meets Dr. Nowzaradan, person cries, person gets surgery. But Nathan's journey felt more like a domestic drama than a medical documentary. It raised a lot of questions about how much our environment dictates our health. If the person you love is also your "enabler," how do you ever break the cycle?
The Reality of the Nathan My 600 lb Life Episode
Nathan was a drama teacher. That’s a job that requires energy, presence, and movement. By the time the cameras started rolling, he was barely getting by. He was 35 years old and living in Palestine, Texas.
Amber was also struggling with her weight. This created a double-edged sword. On one hand, they understood each other’s pain. On the other, they were essentially trapped in a feedback loop of bad habits. When one person wanted to eat, the other followed. It's a psychological trap called "codependency," and in the world of extreme obesity, it can be fatal.
Dr. Nowzaradan—Dr. Now, as everyone calls him—didn't go easy on them. He shouldn't. The man has seen it all. He told them flat out that they were killing each other. Nathan had to lose 30 pounds on his own just to prove he was serious about the gastric bypass.
He did it.
He actually dropped enough weight to get the surgery, which is where many participants fail. He got down to about 487 pounds by the end of his segment. That’s a 120-pound loss in a year. That is massive. Most people can't lose ten pounds in a month, let alone a hundred plus in a year under the pressure of national television.
Why Nathan's Story Resonated Differently
Most fans of the show are used to seeing "villains" or "victims." Nathan didn't fit either. He just seemed like a guy who had lost his way. He was relatable.
The struggle wasn't just about the fried food or the portions. It was about the emotional baggage. During the episode, it became clear that his weight was a shield. When you’re that big, the world treats you differently. Sometimes, it’s easier to be the "big guy" than to face the vulnerability of being average-sized and still having problems.
Amber’s role in this was complicated. She eventually sought her own path to health, but the friction between them was palpable. Fans on Reddit and social media spent months debating whether their marriage would survive the weight loss.
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The "weight loss honeymoon" is a real thing. People think that once the fat is gone, the problems vanish. Reality is more brutal. When you stop using food to numb your emotions, you have to actually feel them. Nathan had to feel the stress of his job and the cracks in his marriage without the comfort of a drive-thru.
Life After the Cameras Stopped Rolling
So, what’s the update? Everyone wants to know if he kept it off.
Honestly, the "where are they now" updates for Nathan My 600 lb Life participants are usually depressing. But Nathan seems to be one of the outliers. Since his 2021 episode, he hasn't completely disappeared into the shadows.
He and Amber have actually made significant strides. If you look at more recent photos and updates from the couple, Nathan looks like a different human being. He didn't just stop at the 120 pounds he lost on the show. He kept pushing.
It’s important to remember that gastric bypass isn't a "fix." It’s a tool. If you keep eating the way you did before, you'll stretch that pouch right back out. Nathan seems to have respected the tool.
- He stayed active in his community.
- He continued his work in education.
- He and Amber worked on their relationship dynamics.
They seem to have beaten the odds. Most couples where both partners are morbidly obese struggle when only one loses weight or when both try at once. It creates a weird power shift. But the Praters seem to have navigated that minefield better than most.
The Science of Why Nathan Succeeded
Why did Nathan succeed when someone like James K. or Penny didn't?
It comes down to "internal locus of control." In psychology, this means you believe you are responsible for your own success. Nathan stopped blaming his job or his wife and started following the 1,200-calorie, high-protein, low-carb diet Dr. Now prescribes.
The diet is boring. It’s basically chicken and broccoli forever. But it works because it forces the body into ketosis while maintaining muscle mass. Nathan’s body responded well because he actually followed the program.
There's also the factor of his age. At 35, his metabolism still had some fight left in it. His skin elasticity was better than some of the older patients, though loose skin is an inevitable part of a 200+ pound weight loss.
Lessons From the Prater Journey
We can learn a lot from watching Nathan. It’s not just about the "freak show" element of reality TV.
First, support systems are everything. Nathan and Amber had to change the way they communicated. They had to stop using food as a language of love or a tool for apology.
Second, the work never ends. You don't "finish" weight loss. You just enter a new phase of maintenance. Nathan’s social media presence occasionally shows him enjoying life, but you can see the discipline is still there.
Third, professional help is non-negotiable. Dr. Nowzaradan’s program includes therapy for a reason. You can't fix a physical problem that has psychological roots without talking to someone. Nathan had to address why he got to 600 pounds in the first place.
What’s Next for Nathan?
Nathan remains one of the more positive stories from the later seasons of the show. He didn't sue the production company. He didn't have a public meltdown. He just did the work.
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The legacy of Nathan My 600 lb Life is one of quiet persistence. He showed that even if you're stuck in a cycle with your partner, you can both break out of it if you’re willing to be honest about the damage you're doing.
He’s still out there, likely teaching and living a much lighter life. For fans of the show, he’s a reminder that the program actually works if you’re willing to listen to the grumpy doctor with the gold stethoscope.
If you're looking to apply some of Nathan's "success DNA" to your own life, start with these steps.
- Audit your environment. Look at who you're eating with. Are they helping or hurting? You don't have to cut people out, but you have to set boundaries.
- Track the data. Nathan had to face the scale. You can't manage what you don't measure.
- Address the "Why." If you're overeating, it's usually because you're hungry for something that isn't food. Stress, loneliness, or boredom? Figure it out.
- Accept the "Boring" Phase. Weight loss isn't always a dramatic montage. Most of it is just choosing the salad when you want the burger, 365 days a year.
Nathan's story proves that 600 pounds isn't a death sentence. It's just a really deep hole. And with the right tools and a lot of grit, you can climb out.