Keri Lynn Ford

I set my alarm today for 5:54am (I have a weird thing about setting my alarm at random times), but of course in the fog of sleep I didn't hear it or turned it off. I finally got out of bed at 6:28am. SUCCESS! I got up early! In college it was so hard for me to get up early that I had three alarm clocks strategically placed around my dorm room so I would have to get out of bed to turn them off. Otherwise, I forgot it went off and would go back to sleep. 

I had laid out my workout clothes the night before (balling them up on the floor at the foot of the bed is the same thing, right?) so I slipped on my cold stretch pants, black long sleeved thermal shirt and mosied into the kitchen to whip up my first meal of the day. Breakfast is my favorite meal even though I eat almost the same thing everyday.

Looks yummy, doesn't it?!Today's workout was chest/biceps/triceps and 60 minutes of cardio. It was a hard workout, but leg day is worse. Even before New Years the gym was packed, but today it was surprisingly empty which always makes for a better workout.

Is it possible that start my day earlier also allowed for more things to fill my day? This week has been such a whirlwind!! 

love,
Keri 

Somehow the day has arrived. Today I am roughly 18 weeks out from my 2012 fitness show debut on May 12th in Kansas City. I have been training hard in my "off season" and now the time has come to reel my diet back in (yes, I indulged over the holidays too) and change up my training. Today is a great example of how much my conditioning has changed. After four weeks of workouts with tons of drop sets and compound movements, my body felt like a machine. I had an entire sheet written out of back/shoulder exercises to complete today, and not only did I lift heavier than ever before, but I was able to push through the entire workout (I survived!). I am excited to see how my body will be changing over the next 18 weeks with the new workouts and my diet back in order.

Ready for the gym!

In a few weeks I also have a photo shoot with Sarah Lyons of PictureGroove in Palm Springs... so it is crucial that I stay on track with my diet. Sarah shot a few of my most recent images, including the pictures that were published the November 2011 issue of Physique Magazine.

Later today I met up with Kat Painter and Bill Aguirre, the publishers/editors of FitnessX Magazine. I can't wait to share some of the fun projects that will come from joining forces with them!

love,
Keri

Did you read the article on "Beauty Sleep" yet? Check out www.physique-mag.com/emag/dec2011/ on page 96 to read more about why beauty sleep can truly make you beautiful. ❤
xoxo
Keri 

"Fittest Fitwear"
What’s In a Name? Does the logo on your activewear give you a leg up?

In today’s fast paced society it’s not uncommon for your workout clothes to become your weekend or after work wardrobe. Lets face it - they are comfy, easy to move in and might even get you motivated enough to hit the gym! What I wanted to know, is if all fitwear is created equal. Can what you wear to workout actually enhance your exercise experience?

When you look around the gym you can clearly spot the sporty style mavens with the brand names speeding on the treadmills, stretching into warrior pose or pumping iron on a weight machine. I can only speak for the fairer sex when I say that there is definitely a brand recognition quality to gym clothes that cannot be ignored. But does paying for the logo really pay off?  

According to the Lululemon Athletica website they have created their own trademarked textile “families”. The fabric families are designed to enhance the clothing for different purposes. The Silverescent family is antibacterial and boasts and “anti-stink” quality to this line of seamless fabrics. Avid running and yoga enthusiast, Emily Bussey, owns 4 pairs of the coveted pants (ranging from $70 - $100). Bussey likens them to a wet suit, “they don’t ride up or move when I am running and they keep me warm and protected from the wind”. She also noted that the patented Lululemon TENCEL fiber technology keeps her “cool” in the summer.

When you think of activewear what is the one name that comes to mind? My guess would be Nike. The unmistakable check symbol and “Just Do It” slogan is at the forefront of our minds when it comes to gym clothes. While Nike isn’t the most expensive brand in the market, you are still shelling out $50 - $70 for workout pants. The new Victory Bra Collection claims it will help you “get more out of every workout” with a price range of $30 to $55. For larger chested women, I can absolutely understand getting the top-of-the-line products when it comes to keeping the girls in place. Nike’s Dri-Fit technology wicks away sweat keeping you comfortable while you work.

Looking to find a mate while you lift weights? Don’t want to suck in while you get thin? You are in luck. Spanx, maker of modern contouring shapewear, has designed a line of activewear just for you. The Power Pant, which retails for $118, features a high waisted, control-top meant to disguise the gut during Pilates class. I would recommend these products for those of you who have a crush on your trainer!

What about the lesser known (and lower priced) active wear offerings? Say you want to look sleek but don’t want to break the bank on a section of your wardrobe that exists solely for you to sweat in. I am a major proprietor of Old Navy activewear. I can say from personal experience that for me their products are more than suitable for running, yoga, body pump class and outdoor & indoor spinning. The shorts and pants ($15 - $35) come in all lengths and styles and have hidden pockets just like their higher priced competitors.  

When it comes to activewear, quality is in the eye of the customer. Everyone has different demands for their fitwear and you may require a material that wicks away sweat or scent smart fabric technology. A good tip for girls on a budget is to shop sales and off-price stores for brand name exercise clothes since the styles tend to stay relatively the same from season to season.  

My frame of mind is this - if it fits, looks good on you and doesn’t hinder your ability to move and get active, then it’s good enough for me. 

What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
- Claire

Claire with her and her boyfriend's new tandem bike!Claire is a Legal Assistant and Fashion Fanatic based out of the DC area. She has a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Radford University and loves cooking. She enjoys being outdoors, yoga and cooking.

Great news! I was published in the November 2011 issue of Physique Magazine! You may have read my first article for them titled "Coconut Couture". Catch me on the cover, and starting on page 92! Find out how I got started in the fitness industry, what I eat on a daily basis and how I stay in shape.

Yup, that's me in the bottom right-hand corner!

photo by Sarah Lyons of PictureGroove Photography

photos by John Lathrop

photos by Sarah Lyons of PictureGroove Photography

photos by Sarah Lyons of PictureGroove Photography