Where’s the best place for listeners to connect with you?: Insta! @raes_listingsandlunges

Describe your weight loss journey: After I had my third child in 2015, I knew that I needed to take back control of my body and my confidence because like most new moms I had found myself lost in motherhood with having three kids under three years old. At that point I started coaching as a Beachbody coach and struggled on and off chasing a program that friends were doing, and instead of doing what was best for me. In 2017 I realized I needed help and I got approved for bariatric surgery. In November 2018 I had VSG And slowly started to see the weight come off. I found myself constantly comparing myself to others journeys, would get down on myself that I hadn’t lost as much as other people who had surgery around the same time, and at that point I decided to go all In and put my head down and focus on myself, which some people would say it’s probably my motto. I learned that I needed to focus on my journey and not others, but most importantly change all of my habits, and stay consistent. Most bariatric patients tend to lose all of their weight in the first year, my journey was a bit different and that I lost 60% in my first year, continue to lose another 15 to 20% in the second year, and then in the third year, and I’m finally down 100 pounds approaching a year four. My journey was by far more mental than it was physical, but I found that just trying to challenge myself trying new things like weightlifting, CrossFit exercises, running that I never did before, was what really pushed and motivated me when I didn’t want to do it. I contribute my long-term success to changing my mindset, daily looking to inspire others by putting myself first, and focusing on my daily habits. I would say my weight loss journey has been a huge success! I contribute my long-term success to changing my mindset, daily looking to inspire others by putting myself first, and focusing on my daily habits. I would say my weight loss journey has been a huge success!

What’s a skill you developed as a result of working through your weight loss process?: Confidence. But most importantly the ability to help coach others in their mindset. When you realize the mental side of your journey is what’s really holding you back, it can be a game changer. I have found that my purpose in this life part is quite possibly to have the ability to help other women and men see their worth, and work through road blocks that has kept them from achieving their goals

What has that skill led to outside of weight loss?: See above! Currently I feel like it’s more of a passion to help women and men navigate their mindset. I see it as more of a challenge to see people without their life to its fullest, and take life by the reigns!

What advice would you give to someone working through their weight loss journey?: Start small, once you master small habits, small goals, that’s what builds confidence. The confidence allows you to try new things without the fear of failing, because you know that at some point you’ll master the thing that you want to. Always be a beginner!

What's something most people don't know about you that has nothing to do with weight loss?: While fitness is a huge part of my life and I’m very passionate about my weight loss journey and sharing it so that others can see that it’s possible for them to, my day job is actually in the mutual fund operations, And I’m a realtor as much as I can fit it in my day. I am an avid skier, softball player, and personal development junkie. I journal nearly every single day, and typically find gratitude in just about every situation. I have three crazy kids within 3 1/2 years of each other, I have twins but they’re not the same age. But most importantly my goal in life is to inspire and motivate others to live