Debbie, when turned 60, she stopped smoking after 40 years and made a commitment to herself to get healthy. The birth of her three children coupled with an abusive marriage caused her to comfort herself with food and to gain weight through the years. Debbie was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, with her two younger siblings. She never lost the 50 pounds that she gained with her first pregnancy at age 22, marking the beginning of her struggle with weight. In 2002, at over 300 pounds, she tried gastric bypass surgery, but ultimately, she gained back part of the weight she lost. She says her biggest motivation for going on "The Biggest Loser" is to have access to all of the experts - including a nutritionist, doctors and trainers - who can help her to develop a healthy lifestyle. Now a grandmother of six at age 60, Debbie weighs 239 pounds and hopes to have more energy to play with her grandkids and become more of an active participant in life once she loses the weight.