Tiffany Franco, known for her appearances on 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way and Happily Ever After?, has been open about her weight loss journey, inspiring many with her dedication to health and self-love. From her highest weight to her current goals, Tiffany's story is one of resilience, honesty, and a commitment to personal well-being.
Early Stages and Initial Motivation
Tiffany Franco first appeared on 90 Day Fiancé in 2019, when she traveled to South Africa with her son, Daniel, to be with her then-fiancé, Ronald Smith. The couple married in 2018 and welcomed their daughter, Carley, in 2019, before eventually separating in 2021.
Tiffany's weight loss journey began a few years ago, with a renewed focus on her health and well-being. In an Instagram post from January 2020, she shared a "before" photo from approximately five months prior, around August 2019, marking the start of her public journey.
Lifestyle Changes and Initial Progress
In the months that followed, Tiffany made significant lifestyle changes that led to noticeable differences in her appearance and overall health. She displayed her weight loss in a photo from a date night with Ronald in March 2020.
Tiffany emphasized the importance of self-love and body positivity throughout her journey. "Learning to love all the parts of me I used to be so mean to," she captioned a video in February 2022, showcasing her progress. She added, "This year has taught me that your weight should not define your confidence. I was not perfect then, and I’m not perfect now. If you can learn to love all the parts of yourself that you fixate on and try to fix or make perfect, you’ll realize you smile and smell the roses so much more."
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Weight Loss Surgery
In June 2021, Tiffany fueled speculation about weight loss surgery when she shared a cryptic, now-deleted video before going to the hospital. She later confirmed that she had undergone a gastric sleeve procedure, in which 70 percent of her stomach was removed.
"I did have a gastric sleeve, meaning they cut off 70 percent of my stomach inside," Tiffany explained. "I did it for my health and my happiness. Nothing to do with skinny, fat, whatever."
Two months after the surgery, Tiffany shared full-body images of herself, showcasing her transformation. She wore a skin-tight pleather bodysuit as part of her cat costume for Halloween 2021.
Post-Surgery Lifestyle and Diet
Following her gastric sleeve surgery, Tiffany adopted a new lifestyle focused on healthy eating and hydration. "I just drink protein shakes. I try to get 60 to 70 grams of protein a day," she shared, emphasizing the importance of protein intake. She also prioritized fluids, stating, "I try to get in as much fluid as possible. Water is best! And most importantly my vitamins!!"
Tiffany also addressed the challenges of snacking and empty calories. "It’s really easy to eat small meals throughout the day and think OK. I’m eating really well but not realize that the Starbucks has tons of calories and tons of sugar. The popcorn or the chips are so easy to just go through. And you don’t really realize how much empty calories and carbs are going in," she wrote in an Instagram comment.
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To combat this, she refocused her snacking habits. "I had to refocus and tell myself OK no more crappy snacks. If I’m gonna snack, I’m gonna snack on things I actually enjoy but I’m gonna make sure they’re good for me and meal wise. I refocused on protein first, then all the other stuff, so I look what’s really yummy meals that I actually enjoy. I wouldn’t restrict myself from eating things."
Overcoming Emotional Challenges
Tiffany has been candid about the emotional and mental challenges she faced during her weight loss journey. In December 2022, she participated in a Q&A on Instagram, reflecting on her life at her heaviest weight of 297 pounds.
"I do remember that she was broken. I remember that she allowed people to walk all over her and spit in her face," she shared. "I remember that girl didn’t believe she deserved more than lies and false promises."
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly while promoting 90 Day: Hunt for Love, Tiffany revealed, "I got to almost 300 lbs. … and I realized it’s my relationship, it’s my self worth. It’s everything all together."
Current Status and Future Goals
In a Q&A with fans via her Instagram Story, Tiffany shared that she had lost 80 pounds and was 18 pounds away from her goal weight. The 90 Day Fiancé alum showed off her hourglass curves in a white corset. At her heaviest, she weighed nearly 300 pounds. As of a recent update, she weighs 196 pounds and is 5’6″ tall. Since undergoing surgery, she has lost approximately 100 pounds.
Read also: Weight-Inclusive Health Approach
Despite her progress, Tiffany acknowledges that she is a "work in progress." She admitted that there were a couple of years when she didn’t see any progress. Her goal for the upcoming year is to get stronger and improve her understanding of nutrition. Tiffany also expressed concerns about potential vitamin deficiencies and aims to optimize her health.
Tiffany understands that consistency and effort are crucial for continued weight loss. However, she recognizes the mental aspect as the most challenging part of the journey. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and continues to work on being kind to herself.
Inspiring Others
Tiffany Franco's openness about her weight loss journey has resonated with many 90 Day Fiancé fans. Her dedication to health, happiness, and self-love has inspired others to embark on their own journeys.
She has inspired many people to embark on their own weight loss journeys.