Summary

• Tammy and Amy Slaton attribute their weight gain to genetics, emotional eating, and socioeconomic factors.
• Amy achieved a remarkable weight loss transformation and underwent gastric by surgery to start a family.
• Tammy lost over 400 pounds and now enjoys a more active lifestyle after a near-death experience and rehab for food addiction.

1000-lb Sisters stars Amy Slaton have both undergone remarkable weight-loss transformations recently, but it's worth asking how they gained all the weight in the first place. Amy once weighed over 400 pounds and began her weight-loss transformation during the first season of the show. After dieting, exercise, and weight-loss surgery, she weighed in at 275 pounds by season 3.

When 1000-lb Sisters first premiered in January 2020, Tammy weighed more than 700 pounds. After starting her weight loss and fitness journey in 2022, Tammy has lost over 400 pounds. Despite encountering emotional and physical challenges, she successfully navigated her path and received approval for gastric by surgery after attending rehab for food addiction.

Why They Initially Gained The Weight

1000-lb Sisters Tammy and Amy told People that the origins of their weight gain date back to childhood, and they attribute it to genetics, emotional eating, and socioeconomic factors. “I’ve always had a weight issue," Tammy said. "I was born 9 lbs. 10 oz., and then I just kept gaining." “Our whole family’s big,” Amy added. The type of food available to them was also an issue.

Their mother worked three jobs to them and their three siblings, so they had to prepare their own meals. “And at 10 and 11, you really couldn’t prepare healthy food and stuff," Amy continued. “The microwave was our best friend,” Tammy added. “Ramen noodles, bowls of soup, things that were quick and easy — stuff that adds on carbs.” Their grandmother helped their mother raise them and, when their grandmother died in 1999, Amy and Tammy turned to food to fill the emotional void.

Amy's Weight Loss Journey

Once weighing over 400 pounds, Amy has undergone an amazing weight-loss transformation. Despite encountering emotional and physical challenges, Amy successfully navigated her path and received approval for gastric by surgery in 2019. By 1000-lb Sisters season 3, Amy achieved further progress, shedding an additional 136 pounds. Amy's substantial weight loss brought her latest weigh-in to 275 pounds.

Losing weight was a struggle for Amy like it is for almost everyone else, but she had a personal reason for wanting to lose all the weight. In a poignant moment during a recent episode of 1000-lb Sisters season 5, Amy broke down into tears and opend up about the motivation behind her decision to undergo weight-loss surgery years ago. She shares that her primary drive was centered around her desire to start a family. Now, Amy is a mother to two little boys, Gage and Glenn Halterman, so all her hard work paid off.

Tammy's Weight Loss Journey

Tammy once weighed more than 700 pounds, but, like her sister, she too has undergone a remarkable weight-loss transformation over the last couple of years. Tammy began her weight loss and fitness journey in 2022 and has lost over 400 pounds since then. Despite encountering emotional and physical challenges, she received approval for gastric by surgery after attending rehab to treat her food addiction.

Before Tammy lost weight, she was in a terrible physical and mental state. Due to her size, Tammy couldn't leave her house, so she essentially lived like a prisoner. She couldn't experience the world or be with her friends and family. In 2022, Tammy suffered a massive health scare that landed her in the hospital. She nearly died and was put in a medically induced coma, but, luckily, Tammy survived the near-death experience and decided to change her life. Fortunately, Tammy changed her life completely and now enjoys a much more active lifestyle.

What Have Amy And Tammy Been Up To?

Amy is struggling through a contentious divorce from Michael Halterman, her husband of six years, and raising her two sons. 1000-lb Sisters season 5 revealed Amy's domestic challenges as she grapples with caring for her two young children with a lack of from her husband. In a December 2023 exclusive interview with People, Amy candidly discussed her decision to prioritize mental health and parenting over the pursuit of weight loss. “You can’t have weight loss without mental health,” she explained.

Years ago, 1000-lb Sisters star Tammy was depressed and could barely walk. Due to her size, she was very limited in what she could do and was often stuck inside. However, since losing weight, so many opportunities have opened up for Tammy, and she seems determined to live a more active lifestyle, wanting to explore the world that was once restricted to her. Since leaving rehab, Tammy has been living her best life, enjoying her newfound freedom and celebrating every new milestone, like ing her family for a boat ride during a 1000-lb Sisters season 5 episode.

Will Amy And Tammy Gain The Weight Back?

Following a challenging year marked by Amy's shocking divorce from Michael, the 1000-lb Sisters star revealed that her mental health reached its lowest point. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, depression, and acute stress disorder and is currently in therapy. She also confessed she will be prioritizing her mental health before her weight-loss needs. Maintaining weight loss is a challenge, and with all the stress she's currently under, Amy will likely gain some of the weight back if she's not careful.

Tammy did more than just lose weight in rehab; she met Caleb Willingham, another rehab patient. The two fell in love and got married while in rehab. Tammy's health improved before Caleb's did, and the doctors cleared her to leave rehab before him. The separation was difficult for both of them and soon after Tammy left rehab, Caleb ed away due to health issues. This, in addition to her health scare, has made Tammy determined to never gain so much weight back again.

The 1000-lb Sisters season 5 finale aired on February 6 at 8 p.m. EST on TLC.

Sources: People, People