Local defeats obesity, now challenges others

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A Lori Bolden remembers the dark days – a time when it felt like she was fighting a losing battle.

She remembers going through the aisles in every store she could find in an effort to find something – anything – that could help her remedy the problem.


Bolden remembers a time a little more distant in the past when she was an Air Force Recruiter and social worker – months and years of her life when she was a little bit overweight, but not anything too severe. Battling those few extra pounds was a lifelong struggle in those days for this young woman, who said her weight had fluctuated throughout a lot of her life.

After finishing up in the service, Bolden moved to Houma and it got worse. She said she “ballooned” to obesity, which put her long-term health in danger and significantly affected her quality of life.

“I was overweight, sickly and just miserable,” Bolden said in remembrance of those days. “I had paid for every pill, gimmick and contraction that there is.”


Flash forward four years into the present and those dark days are gone. The “balloon” that Bolden once described as her body has now been deflated. Bolden is as fit as ever – more than 70 pounds lighter. She looks and feels terrific.

Instead of pacing the aisles of Wal-Mart looking for a supplement or gadget to heal the pain, Bolden is now running the floors of Body Elite East gym to share her gift to the entire community.

The Houma native said she’s been instructing workouts for two years at the local gym in an effort to show locals that obesity isn’t a battle that has to be lost, but is instead one that she believes can – and should – be won.


She is a certified Insanity Pro Team instructor and puts locals through a form of the fast-paced workout in Houma at an affordable price – free to members of the gym and $5 to guests. The workouts are every Monday at 6 p.m.

It’s not about the money to Bolden. It’s about the fulfillment in knowing that she’s changing lives – one drop of sweat on the floor at a time.

“I just wanted to pay it forward,” she said. “(As a former social worker), I have been helping people overcome their struggles for years. I just found a new struggle that is fast and growing in the nation – obesity. I wanted to help put some people in the position to win and not to give in to those struggles. We’re doing that through education, empowering and enthusiasm.”


ALWAYS A MOTIVATOR, NOW AN INSPIRATION

Helping people and being persuasive have always been skills within Bolden’s life. She graduated from college with a major in physical and health education. All throughout life, Bolden was active in sports or other activities that demanded being active and being a leader.

“I was always involved in something physical, from softball to teaching cadences and leading road marches in the Army,” she said.


But even while staying on her feet, Bolden said the battle to stay fit wasn’t ever easy. She taught aerobics while in the military and still couldn’t keep in shape.

Once out of the military and in Houma, the problem got worse. She gained a large amount of weight and was beginning to wonder if she’d ever get out of the hole that is dietary obesity.

“I ballooned,” Bolden said. “I had several failed diet and weight loss attempts.”


But about four years ago, Bolden said she started to fight back. She was introduced to programs such as Beachbody, Shakeology and Insanity in an effort to save her life.

Through those three things, Bolden lost 70-plus pounds and won the Beachbody Monthly $1,000 Challenge for body transformation.

“At that time, I knew I needed to become a Fitness and Nutrition Mayor and share with my community and my state the tools to help them to live a healthier and more fulfilling life,” Bolden said. “Because everyone matters.”


So she created a team of coaches and clients and created the LLC ‘Team Stamp Out Obesity’ and the battle has been on ever since.

Bolden has created several free fit clubs locally where she’s introduced people to the Beachbody DVDs, while also leading Insanity workouts – like the ones that are becoming popular in Houma.

The key?


Keeping people enthusiastic and making sure they always realize they can do anything they put their mind to.

“My classes are based on smart modifications,” Bolden said. “I focus on form over speed. I keep people safe and getting results. I make it fun and doable by all ages and fitness levels.”

Bolden said her sessions are up-tempo, but aren’t so harsh that they’re intimidating. If someone can’t do a move in the Insanity DVD, they are encouraged to modify it to something that they can do – as long as they keep an open mind, they will eventually expand their skills.


“All I ask is that students arrive 15 minutes early and leave the ‘I can’t’ attitude outside the door,” Bolden said. “After that, wear a training shoe and not a running shoe, get a good stretch, bring a towel and buy a bottle of water from the desk.

“Do not leave in the middle of the class and be ready for our sweaty pic afterward. That picture is the trophy of your hard work.”

Those pictures serve as before and after proof that Bolden’s clients are melting away – one calorie at a time.


TESTIMONIALS GIVE INSTRUCTOR BIG FEELING OF PRIDE

Houma native Caterri Franklin remembers going down the same road that Bolden once was.

Franklin is in her mid-20s and is the mother of one. She remembers trying everything to no avail. Franklin said she even was considering approaching doctors to remedy the problem.


“I did every diet you could possibly think of,” Franklin said. “I tried every diet pill out there. All I ever got was temporary – if any – results. I was 5 feet, 2 inches and 217 pounds. I was just about to get ready to research surgical weight loss options like liposuction and things like that.”

Then Franklin met Bolden and things changed.

Franklin said she met the instructor at one of her Insanity classes in Houma.


“I blew her off at first,” Franklin said with a laugh.

But through persistence Bolden introduced Franklin to a 21-day program the young woman said has changed her life.

Franklin is down about 10 pounds in a month, and she’s able to run a whole mile without stopping. Franklin said she owes all credit to Bolden, who she said is not just her instructor, but is more a big sister.


When starting her diet, Franklin said Bolden went to the grocery store with her and helped pick out what foods to buy.

The two stay in constant contact – something Bolden touts she does with all of her clients. It’s the only way that the instructor says she knows how to teach.

“Whatever it takes,” Bolden said. “I cry a lot. One of the requirements I have is send me sweaty pics, food pics and measurements. I want to be involved.”


“She’s not just a coach. She is a lifetime motivator,” Franklin added. “My whole lifestyle has changed. I went from a negative person to positive. And it’s only been one month. I’m so excited to see how much more things can evolve for me as I continue to grow in the program. I am so excited.”

Hearing stories like Franklin’s make tears well up in Bolden’s eyes.

She knows how Franklin feels. She knows the pride one gets when victory starts to triumph over obesity’s defeat.


She said if she’s able to change just one life, she’s achieved her goal.

But while blessed to be able to work hard, she would love to touch many more – as many as possible.

That’s what keeps her working hard, she said.


That’s what takes her to the gym every Monday night – the idea that by doing so, she is helping people to live happier and healthier lives, one workout session at a time.

“I just wish people didn’t have to struggle like I had to,” Bolden said. “I see these students grow week after week after week, program after program and I cry a lot because I know the struggle. It’s more conquerable when you have a team of supporters who help motivate you through it all.

“Everyone matters. Everyone matters.”


Houma native Lori Bolden has been helping people her whole life. But since conquering her battle with obesity, Bolden has committed herself to giving back to others. That’s why the local has committed herself to instructing exercise courses to others. Pictured are members of her Monday evening Insanity class.

COURTESY PHOTOLocal defeats obesity, now challenges others