For Chitoka Light, taking a few steps from her bedroom into the living room may seem like a small accomplishment to some people. But after spending three years bedridden, the simple act of walking into another part of her home represents a major milestone in her life.
At 680 pounds, the 49-year-old has spent the past three years confined to her bed, rarely venturing beyond the short distance to her bathroom and back. Now, however, she is determined to push herself further and reclaim a part of her home she has not stepped into for years.
“Today is a big step for me,” Light says in an exclusive clip from Wednesday’s episode of Family By the Ton. “I’m going to attempt to get walking to my living room. I know that seems little, but the last few years I’ve only made it to my bathroom and back to my bed. So this is a big step.”
For Light, the challenge is about much more than walking a few feet. It represents progress after years of physical limitations and a chance to move closer to the life she hopes to regain.
To prepare for this moment, Light has been working with trainer Robyn Smith at least five times a week. Together, they have been focusing on building her strength and helping her gradually improve her ability to stand and move.
The progress has not come overnight. When she first began exercising with Smith, Light could stand for only about 10 seconds. With continued training and determination, however, she has slowly been able to remain on her feet for longer periods.
“When we first started working out I could probably stand about 10 seconds,” Light explains. “But as we kept working out and I got stronger and stronger that time increased.”
Each improvement has brought her closer to another important goal: getting into a car so she can visit her doctor and begin planning for weight-loss surgery.
For Light, being able to leave her home and attend medical appointments would mark another significant step forward. But before she can reach that milestone, she must continue working to improve her strength and mobility.
Despite the physical challenges ahead, Light says she has a powerful source of motivation helping her continue: a promise she made to her late mother.
Her mother’s recent death has left a profound impact on her, but Light says that the promise she carries with her has become a reason to keep pushing forward rather than give up.
“I draw the strength that I have from this unspoken promise I have with my mom to continue and not quit, and complete it to the end,” she says.
That promise has become a driving force behind her efforts, giving her the determination to face a challenge that many people might otherwise underestimate.
Light understands that walking from her bedroom toward the living room may not seem like a major achievement to someone who can move around freely. For her, however, every step requires effort, courage and persistence.
“I know for some, it might not seem like much of a challenge to walk a few steps out of my room, but this is a huge challenge for me,” she says.
Her attempt to reach the living room is a reminder that progress can look different for everyone. Sometimes, what appears to be an ordinary movement is actually the result of months of work, personal determination and the decision to keep going despite difficult circumstances.
For Light, crossing that threshold would mean more than reaching another room. It would be a meaningful step toward her broader goals, including visiting her doctor, exploring weight-loss surgery and continuing the journey she has committed herself to completing.
Viewers can follow Light’s journey on Family By the Ton, which airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TLC.
