As we wrap up our year with Iron Mom ShaRhonda Burton, we ask her team of experts—trainer Chris Crawford, dietician LaDonna Dunlop, and life coach Mary Tucker—to tell us about their year with the Iron Mom.

ShaRhonda wears the Iron Mom title with grace and panache. During this year, she has endured setbacks and challenges, highs and lows. At the end of August, ShaRhonda had an accident that might have put a lesser woman off the track of healthy living. A hit and run accident left her with a concussion, broken nose, fractured jaw, severe facial laceration, and a cut on her foot.

As I have already stated in previous articles this year, I have been so blessed with the opportunity to train ShaRhonda Burton throughout this past year. Unfortunately, ShaRhonda’s year with me will soon be complete, so this will be my last chance to update the readers on her progress. This is an exciting time because her progress has been amazing. It has been inspiring to witness first hand ShaRhonda’s journey this past year.

MetroFamily Magazine has given me such a wonderful opportunity and has allowed me to go in a new direction. But it’s doing that and so much more. Being overweight all of my life, the pounds just kept creeping up and I lost all sense of self-control.

Metro Family Magazine “Iron Mom” winner ShaRhonda Burton has been hard at work following her lifestyle change since our last update.

As I’m sure ShaRhonda would tell you, there are no shortcuts on the road to healthy weight control. Weight loss comes from healthy eating and regular exercise. A person has to burn more calories than the body needs in order to lose excess pounds.

Strength training used to be viewed as an activity solely for those wanting to resemble Arnold Schwarzenegger during his bodybuilding days. Fortunately, strength training is better understood now and more people are aware that it is important for everyone.

The journey of being MFM’s Iron Mom has had its ups and downs. I have had a knee injury, my family had been sick with the flu bug, and just when I thought everything was back on track, that bug bit me, too. I was unable to work out at 180 Personal Training for a solid week, and there were times when I could only get there one or two days out of my 3-day-a-week routine. But I still exercised around the house or walked at the mall, and I was still able to lose weight.

Think fast. What’s the difference between a fantasy and a vision? The answer is action. That’s right, action, as in creating a plan for achievement of our desired outcome and following it all the way to our powerful new life. This process actually works! Honestly. I’ve tried it and so has ShaRhonda Burton. As the winner of MetroFamily Magazine’s Iron Mom contest, ShaRhonda has continued to put one foot in front of the other, following a plan of action that has netted a current weight loss of about 50 pounds.

A new year has arrived which means that many have taken an oath to begin exercising. As a personal trainer who understands the importance of exercise to overall health, this is an exciting time of year because I see people becoming more active. Finding a parking space at the local health club in early January is more difficult than finding one in early March.

Some of you may remember the “Take Your Life in a New Direction Contest” we initiated earlier this year. The original winner was to receive a beefy health and fitness package, but due to serious health problems, she was unable to proceed. The personal trainers at Edmond’s 180 Center for Health and Performance graciously extended the year-long offer to the runner up and we introduce her to you here.