OH inspirations Featuring Theresa, a.k.a. Plumpkitty

When ObesityHelp members were asked to nominate fellow members as an “inspiration,” Shelley, a.k.a. jakes_mom03, sent an email saying her inspiration was “hands down: PK!” Theresa, known as “Plumpkitty” on the OH boards, is a fixture on ObesityHelp.com, and is what Shelly calls an “amazing person.”

Theresa has lost 187 pounds, and is enjoying an active life at a svelte 140. She discovered OH before her September 2006 surgery. Surgery left her mostly bedridden for a while, which meant she didn’t do much web surfing, but that all changed when she was able to get up and around more easily. She says, “Around January of 2007 I discovered the RNY board and fell in love with the people there. I enjoyed the debates, discussions and questions that filled the boards. I quickly went from ‘lurker’ to posting addict over a couple of months. By my six-month ‘surgiversary’ in March, I had a strong connection with many other OHers and had finally found my place on earth.”

Theresa has since racked up thousands of hours posting on ObesityHelp.com. Most of her posts describe her post-op life and what works and doesn’t work. Many of them are meant to be silly in the hopes that they will cheer people up (including herself!). In the end, though, Theresa aims to be helpful to others that may find her online.

Theresa’s health has improved dramatically over time and her life has changed immensely, but she doesn’t take the little things for granted: “I lead a very simple life. My major accomplishments are likely dull to the average Jane, but to me they are pretty huge.” Among her accomplishments are house hunting and then buying a house, caring for her mother after a serious heart attack and flying to Florida to meet other OH members for her first cruise—none of which would have been possible before surgery.

Theresa claims her biggest accomplishment is “living a healthy life without the constant struggles of being morbidly obese.” While that is truly a wonderful feat, Shelley might beg to differ, because making a positive impact on the lives of others is one of the most amazing accomplishments anyone can ever hope to achieve. Theresa has done that time and again.

Visit Theresa online at www.ObesityHelp.com/member/plumpkitty/.

Not a member of ObesityHelp yet? Get access to all of ObesityHelp's great features by joining today!