Profile on Healthy Bridgeport's Biggest Loser Female Winner Jeri Boher
By Julie Perine on July 01, 2021 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
Jeri Boher didn’t have an inkling that she was the Biggest Loser female winner until second place was announced. Sure, she aspired to be
the top weight loser, but she had already decided she had reaped rewards.
the top weight loser, but she had already decided she had reaped rewards.
“I had my health back and my bible studies on perseverance, racing, steadfastness and a healthy life - had been very in depth,” she said. “I wanted to be gracious and thankful – and happy for the person who did win.”
But Boher’s 60.6-pound weight loss – 26.92% of her beginning weight – earned her the top prize in the competition sponsored by Healthy Bridgeport.
She said she followed Healthy Bridgeport from its very beginning.
“I saw Bridgeport was in the Health Games – and then that they won. Then I saw that Healthy Bridgeport would be releasing a health app and hosting The Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown challenges.”
Because of her weight loss goal – 70 pounds – she opted for The Biggest Loser, committing to lose 20% of her body weight. She knew dropping the weight would improve her overall health. And as she had been through a struggle the past couple of years, she was more than ready for that to happen.
“On July 27, 2018, something physical happened to me. I was setting up for bible school and I suddenly was zapped. I didn’t feel I should drive, and I could hardly walk,” she said.
Doctor visits and tests brought no answers, but she continued to feel bad physically and eventually mentally.
“I couldn’t do anything and became depressed,” she said.
She continued to gain weight. In the fall of 2020, she couldn’t even walk up the little hill in her yard. She was so ready to make a change in her life. The announcement of the forthcoming weight loss competitions provided her with the hope she needed. She needed to be held accountable and this was her chance.
“When the Healthy Bridgeport app came out on Jan. 1, I downloaded it right away,” she said.
The app recommended at least 30 minutes of movement per day. She started marching in place in one-minute increments, then increasing her time as she became stronger.
She built her diet primarily from vegetables and lean meats and was thrilled when she discovered cauliflower crusts, which she used to make all kinds of healthy sandwiches.
After the first week, she had lost 8 pounds, followed by 5 pounds the next. After month one, she was down 16 pounds.
She started marching in place for several minutes at a time. For being a faithful Healthy Bridgeport app user, she became eligible for monthly prize drawings – and she won. She really loved winning a Fit Bit as she could measure her steps.
“I could get in 300 to 500 steps while letting the dog out,” she said.
Boher also walked – and eventually jogged - in her pool, using the United Methodist Church bells as her cue to start and stop.
“When they rang on the quarter of the hour, I would start jogging and stop the next time they rang,” she said.
Her sister Jackie Paugh was her accountability partner, making sure Boher didn’t miss her outdoor walks.
“If it was cold out, Jackie would tell me to put on an extra layer; that we were going anyway,” she said.
They built up to walking two miles at a time and eventually a 5K (3.10 miles).
Neighbors Adam and Jessica Elkins were also participating in the weight loss challenge. They and Boher fed off each other’s enthusiasm and their combined dedication became contagious as other neighbors picked up on those good habits.
She began measuring her portions with portion containers and planning/preparing meals ahead of time.
“I would cook up zucchini, squash, peppers and onions (in extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil) and portion it out for meals, sometimes adding chicken,” she said. “I would order a chicken taco on lettuce from Mr. Taco and then put it on one of my cauliflower crusts.”
She also ate her biggest meal of the day at nooon and tried not to eat or drink past 6 p.m.
By April 20, Boher had reached her 20 percent weight loss, but she kept going. She said she hit a slump in May and became a little discouraged. But he pushed through that and eventually saw a change in the scale again. She lost ½ pound per day throughout the remainder of the challenge.
Although Boher considers herself competitive, she didn’t go through this journey feeling like she was competing with the other participants.
“It was more about competing with myself, making little choices to better myself every day,” she said.
Team lead Abby Veigel, Krista Arnold and the rest of the project leaders were so encouraging, Boher said. So were the participants. There was so much support, fitness and nutrition tips that just kept on coming, she said.
She can now do anything physically she did before July 2018 – and so much more.
Boher looks forward to her future, which includes membership at The Bridge Sports Complex.
“I can already run two-thirds way around the track, and I will eventually make it all the way around,” she said. “And I want to learn to use the machines so I can tone up.”
She is grateful to God for the opportunity and for walking her through her weight loss journey.
“My faith in God helped me to stay focused to improve my health so I can continue to serve where he wants me,” she said.
Boher and other winners of the Biggest Loser and 10% Takedown challenges were awarded with prizes after the Bridge to Health 5K Festival, held June 24. At that time, it was announced that Healthy Bridgeport was transitioning into Health Games, The Encore, and would be taking the next weight loss challenges countywide. Anyone in Harrison County who aspires to lose 10 or 20 percent - or more – of their body weight is welcome and encouraged to participate.
The initial weigh-ins will be held sometime in July. More details are forthcoming. In the meantime, stay up to date on the Healthy Bridgeport Facebook page.
Boher, who won $2,500 by taking the top spot - is pictured above.
She is also pictured with Biggest Loser 2nd place female winner Tonya Rinehart, losing 29.8 pounds (16% of her body weight) and 3rd place female winner Nancy Hillegas, losing 36.8 pounds (14.5% of her body weight). They won $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.
Taking first place in the male category of The Biggest Loser was Adam Elkins. Read his story HERE.
Editor's Note: Photos of Jeri Boher at the Bridge to Health 5K (also pictured with sister Jackie Paugh, family members, Rinehart and Hillegas) are by Ben Queen Photography. Submitted photo was taken in June of 2020.
