LEAN Mom of Two | February Squadie of the Month
Happy Thursday Squadies! Today I will be announcing our FEBRUARY SUPER SQUADIE! This month’s super squadie started their Lean Journey at the start of 2021 and never looked back! This squadie is:
Caitlin Simmons!
Caitlin first discovered LEANSQUAD 3-4 years ago, when her brother would send her Phil’s cooking videos. She would continue to follow LEANSQUAD on Instagram but hadn’t quite made the jump to the challenges.
In August of 2020, Caitlin was 4 months postpartum with her second kid and started completing the LEANSQUAD YouTube workouts due to the pandemic closing her gym. However, she was having trouble finding a good groove without a structured program to keep her accountable.
A couple of months later, while on maternity leave, Caitlin was let go from her job. With this news in the middle of a pandemic and the responsibilities of being a mother of two, she found it difficult to keep up with her physical health. Caitlin knew she had to make a change, so she decided to make the jump and sign up for the next LEANSQUAD challenge!
Caitlin officially became a Squadie in January 2021 when she signed up for the 30 Day New Years Lean Challenge! She was hooked from Day 1 with the high tempo and energetic workouts and immediately began crushing the leanness!
As an active member of the squadie community, Caitlin is now making her way through Phase 2 of the 6 Week Lean Challenge alongside hundreds of other squadies making lean changes in their lives!
Caitlin feels stronger both physically and mentally, especially in keeping up with her kids! Her perspective on living a healthy lifestyle has changed to a more balanced approach, where she doesn’t feel guilty treating herself to whoopsies and realizes the importance of getting up the next day and hitting play!
Since August, she has lost 30 pounds and continues to get stronger each and every day! Caitlin is just getting started, but is already a LEAN STAR! Thank you for being a leanspiration to us all and continue being you!
Read more about Caitlin’s LEAN JOURNEY below, and click here or on her leanmazing transformation photo to watch her video!
Name: Caitlin Simmons
Age: 32
Hometown: Bradford, ON
Occupation: Currently on Maternity Leave, previously Sponsorship Lead for a Provincial Health Care Association
When did you join LEANSQUAD?
January 2021
How many challenges have you completed thus far?
Nearly two – 30 Day New Years Challenge and the first phase of the 6 Week Challenge
What’s your biggest success as a part of LEANSQUAD?
Without question it is the fact that I have ZERO back pain! For 15+ years I was in physio/chiro/massage to find no permanent relief. Through LEANSQUAD I learned a variety of simple but effective bodyweight back and core exercises I have never been recommended and they have made a world of a difference.
Favourite Lean Meal?
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Favourite Whoopsie?
Definitely Pizza – Canadian (pepperoni, bacon & mushroom) hands down! With ‘Franch’ to dip (Ranch + Frank’s Red Hot)
Number One LEANSQUAD tip to share?
Sweat out the whoopsies! Drop the guilt, get up, hit play, put in the 30 minutes… you never regret doing it!
What would you say to someone who is about to start their Lean Journey?
Do your best. What’s hard for YOU is lean for YOU – don’t compare to what others are doing in the group but do let it motivate you! Engage with the community – the more you talk about your progress, setbacks and results the more motivated you will be to keep going because everyone will encourage you!
Favourite LEAN restaurant to eat out at?
Fresh (Downtown Toronto)
If you have one, please submit a PERSONAL recipe that would be LEANSQUAD approved!!
This is a hard one, I love to cook and can’t decide which one to share! Here is a quick and easy lunch/dinner:
Spiralized Salad with Spicy Tofu
Base (serves 2):
One zucchini spiralized
One carrot spiralized
Dressing:
1 tbsp Olive Oil
½ a Lemon, squeezed
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
Few turns of pepper
Pinch of salt
Toppings (Optional):
Pumpkin Seeds, or
Sunflower Seeds, or
Sesame Seeds
Protein Options:
Tofu* (recipe below)
Hardboiled eggs
Egg whites
Tuna
Chicken
Whatever protein leftovers are in the fridge
Recipe:
1. Spiralize zucchini and carrot – wrap in paper towel while you prep the rest
2. Mix dressing ingredients and set aside
3. Prepare your seed and protein toppings
4. When ready to eat, dress veggies with dressing and add protein/seeds. If you’re feeling spicy, a little siracha on top is delicious!
Spicy Tofu Recipe:
1. Cut brick of tofu into 4 servings (4 slabs)
2. Add slabs to shallow dish with Marinade: Mix 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp lite soya sauce, 1-2 tbsp siracha, 1-2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp fresh minced ginger and pour over top, flipping slabs so both sides are coated – this can be left in fridge for an hour or a day!
3. Bake tofu – Preheat oven 425º, cook tofu 12 minutes per side basting with left over marinade when flipped
If you want to try and catch up to Caitlin, start your Lean Journey today by clicking here!