ENCOURAGING SQUADIE OF THE MONTH!
Happy Monday Squadies! It’s that time of the month again - time to thank ALL our Squadies for being leanmazing! We are so thankful for all the leanspirational people who help make the leansquad community a place of support, encouragement, and motivation! We would also like to take this time to honor ONE Squadie in particular as our September super squadie of the month! This squadie of the month joined us in July and has been a motivational force ever since! She is the leanmazing:
NIKKI BALL!
Nikki has been a leanmazing, supportive part of the squad since joining in July. She is ALWAYS taking time to encourage other squadies and helping them through their journey. Nikki is not afraid to share her highs and lows with the team, showing us her sweaty selfies and also sharing moments when she needs some encouragement from other members of the squad. We wanted to thank our squadie of the month Nikki for choosing to join our team to embark on her lean journey with and for continuing to be a positive and encouraging part of our community! Along with being a great part of our community, Nikki is also becoming a better version of herself every step of the way! In just a few short months, she already feels better, mentally, and physically. She has learned that it is OKAY to enjoy your whoopsies while still living a lean life. She learned that it is important to listen to her body and not give herself a hard time when she is completing a tough workout. Through her motivation and dedication, Nikki has shown us that with a positive mindset and the will to be BETTER, you can achieve LEANMAZING things while helping others along the way. When you join the LEANSQUAD, you get MORE than just a workout plan, you also get to be part of our COMMUNITY! Our community is filled with leanmazing individuals like Nikki, who are on their lean journey alongside with you and willing to help you through yours! We have ANOTHER 30-day challenge AND 6-week challenge beginning on SEPTEMBER 28th!
Find out More about these Plans and sign up today!
Learn more about our leanmazing squadie of the month:
Q1-4: Name, Age, Hometown & Occupation:
Names: Nikki Ball
Ages: 33
Hometown: Burlington, ON but have been living in Toronto for 7 years
Occupation: Community Relationships & Corporate Giving at CIBC
Q5: When did you join LEANSQUAD?
July 20th 30 day challenge
Q6: What Phase are you currently on?
Second 30-day challenge, then looking to do the 6-week phased plan
Q7: What's your biggest success as a part of LEANSQUAD:
Changing my mentality on whoopsies and mental health improvement. I used to beat myself up on cheat meals, but now it’s just a matter of listening to my body and working extra hard to make up for it. It’s all about balance. As for my mental health, I’m someone who struggles with anxiety and before I joined the first challenge, was having a really tough time with it (I have health anxiety so Covid wasn’t helping).I was in cognitive behaviour therapy to change my way of thinking or overthinking about things and I wasn’t being as active as I normally am because of the anxiety. I finally said “enough is enough, invest in yourself” and joined my first challenge. Since joining the challenges, my head has been clear, hardly any anxious feelings and a way better outlook on my body and health. Although just like everyone I can feel down about not seeing the scale drop (only weigh myself at the beginning of challenges) or not noticing huge changes in the before and after pics. However, I feel mentally stronger and physically stronger. I notice I can get more reps in and push myself harder. For me that’s a win. Other changes will come with time.
Q8: What's your Favourite lean meal?
Broccoli tator tots and Turkey balls with zoodles
Q9: What's your Favourite Whoopsie?
Leansquad Peach Muskoka Spirits margaritas ;) and for those in the Burlington area, JC’s bagels.
Q10: As the squadie of the month, what's your number 1 Leansquad tip to share?
Do your best and listen to your body. If one day you can only get a couple reps in, that’s okay! Still better than nothing. If you need an extra rest day to put in a better effort, do that and catch up when your body can! No one is going to do this for you, so it’s up to you to give it your best and you’ll feel so rewarded.
Q11: What would you say to Someone starting their lean journey
Jump in! I waivered for a couple months on whether I should join and I’m so glad I did! The best investment you can make is in yourself so I highly recommend taking the plunge. Also, use the slack group. All the other squadies are going through similar journeys, so you may think you’re the only one that has unmotivated days or work, kids, etc getting in the way, but when you talk to the group they remind you you are all in this together. The fact that Phil, a professional athlete, does the workouts with you and also gets as winded as you, is also a motivator
Q12: What's your Favourite lean restaurant to eat out at?
Planta in Toronto is a delicious vegan restaurant. I’m not vegan but love switching it up. If you didn’t know it was vegan, the tastes would never let on. Highly recommend.
Q13: If you have one, please submit a Leansquad approved recipe!
Chicken Fajita soup!Ingredients:
- 2tbsp Evo
- 1tbs butter
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1/2 lg onion, thinly sliced
- 1 sm red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 sm yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 sm orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tbs flour
- 2 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tsp EACH salt, chili powder, ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp EACH smoked paprika, pepper, dried oregano
- 1 15oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 4oz can mild diced green chilies
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 14oz can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup long-grain rice uncooked
- 1 14.5oz can low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated pepper jack cheese or more to taste
Garnish;
- Tortilla strips/chips
- Cilantro
- Sour cream
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Hot sauce
Directions:
- Add EVO, butter, onions and chicken- sauté
- Add peppers, garlic, flour, all seasonings and spices, cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly
- Stir in rice, beans, chilies, tomatoes, broth. Mix in cornstarch, bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer on med low stirring occasionally until rice is cooked.
- Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Add more broth or water to thin soup if desired.
- Garnish as you like
SO GOOD!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtWrYo-tboc&feature=youtu.be