Tammy and Amy Slaton say they have no regrets about putting their weight loss journeys on television.
The stars of TLC’s ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ told PEOPLE they’re thankful for their progress — regardless of any cruel feedback online and in their P.O. box. And yes, some critics have apparently gone as far as mailing Tammy and Amy Slaton carrots to tease them about healthy eating.
“By putting our stories out there, we’re helping others see they can lose weight too. They’re not alone,” Tammy said. “I’ve done more in the last nine months than I’ve ever done in my life. I have my life back.”
See Photos Of Tammy And Amy Slaton After Losing Hundreds Of Pounds
‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ first aired in January 2020 and is now in its fifth season after the premiere aired on Tuesday (Dec. 12). Both women have lost hundreds of pounds — and close personal ties — over the years.
In fact, the show might need to be renamed ‘500-Lb. Sisters’ because their combined weight is far from 1000 lbs as of this month.
Tammy, who had peaked at 725 pounds, now weighs 285 lbs., per PEOPLE. She’s back in her hometown of Dixie, Kentucky, after spending all of 2022 (14 months total) at a rehab facility in Ohio for weight loss. That same year, she was finally approved for bariatric surgery in July.
Caleb Willingham, whom she met at the facility, proposed to her months later in October. By November, they were married.
However, in July of this year, Caleb passed away at the age of 40. His cause of death remains unclear. Reports say he was at the Windsor Lane Rehabilitation Center for obesity treatment. Months ahead of this death, he was having trouble with weight loss progress, per Tuesday’s season premiere.
RELATED: ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Tammy Slaton Reacts To Her Husband’s Passing
Peep one of Tammy’s most recent photos below.
Like Tammy, Amy has also experienced significant changes. She was the first to undergo bariatric surgery during season one of the show. At her peak, she weighed 406 lbs. Now, she’s reportedly at 230 lbs.
Amy also has achieved her lifelong dream of being a mother. Before losing the weight, she had little hope of conceiving with her husband, Michael Halterman. She’s now mother to two children, three-year-old Gage Dean and one-year-old Glenn Allen.
However, her marriage of six years to their father ended with Michael filing for divorce.
RELATED: Michael Halterman Files For Divorce From ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Star Amy Slaton
Peep how Amy’s looking these days below.
In their talk with PEOPLE, Tammy and Amy Slaton said their issues with weight gain and loss started in childhood. In addition to genetics, their diet was a substantial contributing factor. The women learned to feed themselves as children — starting microwaveable foods. With little knowledge and access to healthy foods, their eating habits worsened with emotional changes.
“[We] took [their gradnmother’s death in 1999] hard and turned to food for comfort,” Tammy said. Amy added, “I started to eat my feelings.”
