Tammy Slaton’s Inspiring Weight Loss Journey: The 1000-Lb. Sisters Star Shares Her 500-Pound Transformation
Tammy Slaton, star of TLC’s 1000-Lb. Sisters, recently revealed that she has lost a remarkable 500 pounds since beginning her weight loss journey.
In an uplifting TikTok video posted on August 17th, Tammy, along with six other “weight loss warriors,” showcases their combined achievement. Set to the empowering song “Rise Up” by Andra Day, the video features on-screen text highlighting the total weight each person has lost as they join hands and move together. Collectively, the group has lost an impressive 2,078 pounds.
Tammy, 38, expressed her pride and admiration for her friends in the caption, writing, “Truly absolutely amazing ladies, and I’m happy to call y’all all my friends. I’m so proud of each and every one of y’all. Not only are you beautiful on the inside, but you’re gorgeous on the outside. Never forget.”
Since the premiere of 1000-Lb. Sisters in January 2020, Tammy, who stars alongside her sister Amy Slaton Halterman, has been open about her health struggles. After undergoing bariatric surgery in July 2022 and spending 14 months in a weight loss rehab center, she has continued to document her weight loss journey on social media and television. By December 2023, Tammy had lost 440 pounds, bringing her weight down to approximately 285 pounds.
Tammy’s journey isn’t just about physical transformation; she’s also shared how her mental health has improved. In a February TikTok video, she opened up about her emotional growth, saying, “Before I went to rehab, I was just bitter, unhappy, and very suicidal depressed. I personally have seen a lot of growth within myself and how I treat people and my family. And just my attitude and how happy I seem. I smile a lot more.”
In addition to her weight loss, Tammy has celebrated other life milestones. She shared that she experienced new adventures, including riding on rides at Disney World and taking a hot air balloon ride. “I value life now, where before I hated it. I hated everything about life,” she said.
Tammy’s openness has resonated with her fans, who have been inspired by her transformation. One follower commented, “Holy wow! The transformation is incredible! I am so happy to see how far you have come. I may have cried a little.”
Here are some highlights from Tammy’s weight loss journey:
Sharing Her Journey: Since the launch of 1000-Lb. Sisters in 2020, fans have watched Tammy’s progress. After her bariatric surgery in mid-2022, viewers have continued to see her transformation on TV and social media. By December 2023, she had lost 440 pounds, weighing in at approximately 285 pounds.
Summertime Style: In June, Tammy posted a picture on Instagram wearing a floral dress, showing off her new look.
Squad Picture: That same month, she shared a group photo featuring herself, her brother Chris Combs, and YouTuber Chelcie Lynn.
A Tragic Loss: On July 1, Tammy mourned the passing of her husband, Caleb Willingham. She honored him with throwback photos on Instagram, writing, “Rip, sweet angel, you will forever be missed and loved so much. Thank you, Caleb for showing me real love and happiness.”
Mirror Selfie: On August 25, Tammy shared some mirror selfies on Instagram, showcasing her continued weight loss.
Posing in Jeans: By October 18, Tammy posted a happy selfie on Instagram, proudly wearing jeans.
Tie-Dyed Style: In January 2024, Tammy shared a video on TikTok, continuing to document her journey.
“Killing It”: In April 2024, Tammy’s weight loss surgeon, Dr. Eric Smith, praised her progress, commenting, “You are killing it!” on her new selfies.
Superior Cat-titude: Tammy also shared a cute update featuring herself and her cat, Chocolate.
Tammy’s journey continues to inspire many, and her dedication to her health and happiness is a testament to her strength and resilience.
My 81-year-old grandma started posting selfies on Instagram with heavy filters.
The notification popped up on my phone, another Instagram post from Grandma Rose. I sighed, tapping on the icon. There she was, her face smoothed and airbrushed beyond recognition, a pair of oversized, cartoonish sunglasses perched on her nose. A cascade of digital sparkles rained down around her. The caption read, “Feeling my vibe! #OOTD #YOLO #GrandmaGoals.”
My stomach churned. At first, it had been a novelty, a quirky, endearing quirk of my 81-year-old grandmother. But now, weeks into her social media blitz, it was bordering on unbearable.
It had started innocently enough. She’d asked me to help her set up an Instagram account, intrigued by the photos I’d shown her of my travels and friends. I’d thought it was a sweet way for her to stay connected with the family, a digital scrapbook of sorts.
But Grandma Rose had taken to Instagram like a fish to water, or rather, like a teenager to a viral trend. She’d discovered the world of filters, the power of hashtags, and the allure of online validation. Suddenly, she was posting multiple times a day, each photo more heavily filtered than the last.
The captions were a whole other level of cringe. She’d pepper them with slang I barely understood, phrases like “slay,” “lit,” and “no cap.” She’d even started using emojis, a barrage of hearts, stars, and laughing faces that seemed to clash with her gentle, grandmotherly image.
The pinnacle of my mortification came when she asked me, with wide, earnest eyes, how to do a “get ready with me” video. “You know, darling,” she’d said, her voice brimming with excitement, “like those lovely young ladies on the internet. I want to show everyone my makeup routine!”
I’d choked on my coffee. My makeup routine consisted of moisturizer and a swipe of mascara. Grandma Rose’s “makeup routine” involved a dusting of powder and a dab of lipstick.
The worst part was, my entire family was egging her on. They’d shower her with likes and comments, calling her “amazing,” “inspiring,” and “a social media queen.” They were completely oblivious to my growing dread.
I was trapped in a vortex of secondhand embarrassment. What if my friends saw these posts? What if my coworkers stumbled upon her profile? I could already imagine the whispers, the snickers, the awkward attempts at polite conversation.
I found myself avoiding family gatherings, dreading the inevitable discussions about Grandma Rose’s latest post. I’d scroll through my feed, wincing at each new notification, my finger hovering over the “unfollow” button, a button I couldn’t bring myself to press.
One evening, I found myself sitting across from my mom, the glow of her phone illuminating her face as she scrolled through Grandma Rose’s profile. “Isn’t she just the cutest?” she gushed, showing me a photo of Grandma Rose with a digital halo and angel wings.
“Mom,” I said, my voice strained, “don’t you think this is… a little much?”
My mom looked at me, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean? She’s having fun. She’s expressing herself.”
“But it’s not her,” I argued. “It’s like she’s trying to be someone else.”
“She’s adapting, darling,” my mom said, her voice gentle. “She’s embracing technology. She’s living her best life.”
I knew I wasn’t going to win this argument. My family, in their well-meaning attempt to support Grandma Rose, were completely blind to the awkwardness of the situation.
I decided to try a different approach. The next time Grandma Rose asked me for help with her Instagram, I sat down with her and gently explained the concept of “authenticity.” I showed her photos of herself, unfiltered and unedited, her smile genuine, her eyes sparkling with wisdom.
“You’re beautiful just the way you are, Grandma,” I said, my voice sincere. “You don’t need filters or slang to be amazing.”
She looked at the photos, her eyes softening. “Do you really think so, darling?” she asked, her voice a whisper.
“Absolutely,” I said, squeezing her hand.
Grandma Rose didn’t stop posting, but she did tone it down. The filters became less intense, the captions more genuine. She even started sharing stories from her life, anecdotes that were both heartwarming and hilarious.
And slowly, I began to appreciate her online presence. I realized that it wasn’t about trying to be an influencer; it was about Grandma Rose finding her own way to connect with the world, to express her joy, to simply be herself. And in the end, that was more than enough.
Leave a Reply