Choose a participant below to learn more about them.

Debbie

Wilmington, NC - House/Dog Sitter & Nursing Student

Height: 5'2"

Start Weight: 400.4 lbs

End Weight: 269.8 lbs

“This experience saved my life, I gave the weight too much power over me. I now eat to live, instead of living to eat.”

Debbie is a bubbly, blond, 44-year-old virgin who has been putting her life on hold for a long time. A number of traumatic childhood events contributed to her lifelong battle with weight, leading her to use food as a coping mechanism. An emotional binge eater, she was her heaviest at almost 500 pounds. She's lost some weight before and often has crying fits when she does because she knows she's releasing all of the feelings she's been eating for so long. She's been stuck in an almost juvenile state, attending school and living off of her parents, but wants to grow up and face her food demons. She must lose weight in order to be financially independent and physically fit enough to re-enroll in her intensive nursing degree program.

Limitations:

• -Can’t do most activities because they require too much physical stamina
• -Can’t walk down the street without people staring
• -Doesn’t want to feel limited in her social interactions anymore

Health Problems:

• -Cellulitis
• -Sleep apnea
• -(GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Stakes:

• -Wants to experience an intimate relationship and be loved by someone
• -Wants to avoid health ramifications from her eating habits and doesn't want to die
• -Desperately wants a professional career and to be able to take care of herself