1000-Lb. Sisters’ Tammy and Amy Slaton Say Weight Struggles Began as Kids: ‘We Ate Our Feelings’ (Exclusive)

Fans have spent the past few years watching Tammy and Amy Slaton struggle with weight loss as documented on TLC 1000 lbs. Sisters. However, the sisters say that their body problems started when they were children.

“I’ve always had a problem with my weight. I was born with 9 kg. 10 oz., and then I just kept gaining,” Tammy, 37, tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’s issue.

Tammy and Amy Slaton photographed in Nashville on December 4, 2023.

Diana King

But aside from genetics—”Our whole family is big,” Amy says—diet also contributed to their weight gain. The sister duo say they were often left to fend for themselves while their mom, Darlene, worked three jobs to support them.

“Mom was always at work, so we had to learn how to cook ourselves and stuff like that,” explains 36-year-old Amy. “And at 10 and 11 you really couldn’t prepare healthy food and stuff like that.”

“The microwave was our best friend,” adds Tammy. “Ramen noodles, bowls of soup, things that were quick and easy—things that add carbs.”

Tammy in 4th grade in 1995 and Amy in 8th grade in 2002 in Morganfield, KY.

TLC (2)

All the ups and downs of the ‘1000-Lb. Sisters ‘Tammy and Amy Slaton

The youngest two of five children — older siblings are Chris, Misty and Amanda — Tammy and Amy were bullied for their weight while growing up in rural Morganfield, Kentucky. “We have bullies, we have fat comments, we have all of that,” Amy says.

It became even more difficult to control their weight when their grandmother, who helped care for them when the girls were still small, died in 1999.

“[We] I took it hard and turned to comfort food,” says Tammy while Amy adds, “I started eating my feelings.”

The Slaton sisters in 2004.

TLC

Over the years, both have had to deal with a number of health problems caused by being overweight.

Tammy used to be so heavy that she couldn’t walk more than a few steps. On the rare occasions when she left the house, she had to be transported in the back of a van. Amy, who has diabetes, was also previously so overweight that she struggled to get pregnant.

They “leaned on each other” and tried to lose weight on their own.

Tammy Slaton at the top of her weight class fights at TLC’s 1,000-lb. Sisters.

TLC

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But it wasn’t until a TLC producer invited them to become the stars of their own reality show that they could really commit to losing weight. They documented their incredible transformations on 1000 lbs. Sisters — the show chronicled their attempts to lose enough weight to qualify for bariatric surgery.

“We were already trying to lose weight before the show even got us, so it was the perfect opportunity,” says Amy, whose peak weight was 406 lbs. She qualified for surgery in 2019 and now weighs 230 pounds.

Amy Slaton photographed in Nashville on December 4, 2023.

Diana King

Meanwhile, after peaking at 725 lbs., Tammy had surgery in July 2022 and was down to 285 lbs.

Although the sisters still receive unkind messages about their weight, even after so much progress, Tammy and Amy have no regrets about going public with their journey.

Tammy Slaton photographed in Nashville on December 4, 2023.

Diana King

They praise how much losing weight has changed their lives: Amy was able to have two children, and Tammy can finally fit into a regular car seat without needing to extend the seat belt.

“By publishing our stories, we help others see that they too can lose weight. They’re not alone,” says Tammy, noting that the series and their newfound fame opened up the world to her.

“I have done more in the last nine months than I have ever done in my life. I got my life back.”

Tammy and Amy Slaton photographed in Nashville on December 4, 2023.

Diana King

For more on Tammy and Amy Slaton, pick up this week’s issue on stands Friday.

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Source: HIS Education