MetroFamily Iron Mom Update
Wow! Today is my first day on the road to ultimately changing my life forever. How is my day going? Well, my 11-month-old foster son is teething, his nose is running, and he’s sleepy and irritable. My 6-year-old foster daughter is in a bad mood because she had a bad day at school. She’s pouting and/or having fits. My 3-year-old grandson is lying in my front yard because I had to peel his little hands from my car door. He wanted to go with his “GiGi” to the gym. I love all of them very much, but no little one is going to stop me.

I am ready for my grueling thirty minutes of working muscles I haven’t used in twenty years. Finally, it’s my time to “Take My Life In A New Direction,” me—the MetroFamily Iron Mom.

At first I was reluctant to go to the gym. I assumed my trainer would be some college kid with the body of a Greek God who would have no compassion for my out-of-shape body. I assumed that the gym would be full of America’s Next Top Models, or buxom Barbie dolls. I’m so glad I assumed wrong!

The 180 Center for Health and Fitness is a wonderful, peaceful place to workout. The staff members are friendly and supportive. My personal trainer, Chris Crawford, is such a sweet-spirited person. Chris genuinely cares about me, and he is very supportive.

Don’t get me wrong. In all of his greatness, Chris gives me a thorough workout. I met Chris a week prior to our start, and he informed me that we would workout twice a week for 30 minutes. I told Chris I wanted to work out a full hour. I’m so glad I listened to him though—15 minutes into my workout, I secretly wanted to quit. I am sore from the top of my head to the bottom of my pinkie toe. But I will not give up! Bad pain out, good pain in. I just bought a dress one size too small that I will wear to the company Christmas party. It’s just the beginning!

- ShaRhonda Burton