Get to Know Margo Ford of Fitness by Ford

Margo Ford is an ISSA certified Fitness Instructor. She began her journey four years ago when she was preparing for her wedding. She stepped out of her comfort zone and joined a fitness bootcamp and discovered how easy and how much fun it is to get in shape. When she began to help her friends lose weight, she realized she could start something special. During quarantine she started her business Fitness by Ford and provides virtual challenges and trainings.

What was the pivotal point that made you decide to go for it and try to lose weight?

I had gained about 40 pounds, and I started to notice I couldn’t even suck my stomach in and certain clothes I wore just weren’t appealing to me. I just became unhappy with how I looked. I wanted to make sure I made that physical change because when you look good, you feel good, so as I started to lose weight, I started to feel better.

When did you start your company?

A year ago, right before COVID hit. I got certified a little over a year ago, but I got nervous to start my own thing. When COVID hit, it kind of pushed me out there because people were posting about not being able to go to the gym and wanting to work out, so I started the virtual fitness challenges. A lot of people also didn’t have anything to do but eat, so this gave them something else to do. I gave them a meal plan and ideas of things to eat other than just picking up fast food on the way home, or being home and eating cookies and ice cream all day long. I started out with the 21 day ab challenge. I would record myself doing the workouts so people would know how to do it and I posted it in a Facebook group so we could all communicate.

What encouragement could you give to someone who wants to start their fitness journey?

I would tell them to start now. A lot of people will think things like “oh well I’ll just start next month fresh” but just go ahead and start because you will keep putting it off. Once you start and you lose those first 5-10 pounds, I promise you will want to continue doing it. I also want to say to take the time one day to just get on Google and research different meal guides and different exercises to do. You always want to keep your fitness journey interesting, you want to switch up your workouts so that you continue to see results and so that you stay motivated. If you continue to do the same thing, it's going to plateau and you won’t see the changes as fast as you were in the beginning.

You not only have your full time job and started your fitness company, but you also have your Fine and Fit collection. How did you launch that and what is it compiled of?

I really like workout clothes, I kind of have a work out clothes obsession, so I decided to start finding my own line. With me being taller and with me being shaped a little differently, you know, I’m not super skinny, so I was trying to find clothes that would fit my figure and other women with bigger figures also. I also wanted to have things on hand, just in case my clients needed it so I didn’t have to wait for shipment. It includes clothing, waist trainers, resistance bands, and I am working on other things to launch eventually. It also includes lashes, because I am a lash tech as well.

How do you balance work with self care?

A lot of the time we get caught up in our everyday life with working and taking care of our families, that we tend to forget about ourselves. I tell all my clients to always find time for themselves 3 to 5 times a week. Self-care is especially important, and you have to make time for yourself. So often we put our jobs before ourselves and that is not healthy. I always recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activities. Gives you time to clear your mind and work on your personal and fitness goals. I take that seriously. I try to practice what I preach. I do way more than 30 minutes but working out is my form of self-care. Constantly working on my craft while improving myself, it relaxes me.

Margo’s ultimate goal is to go back to school to become a P.E. teacher along with opening her own in-person studio. You can go on her website https://www.fitbyford.com to view her trainings, challenges, and Fine and Fit collection and you can find her on Instagram @Fitnezz_byford.