I don't think so and I want to talk to you about it. My name is Mike Burton and I am proud to say that I am a bear--a bear on a quest for fitness. I am not a certified personal trainer. I can't create a workout regimen for you nor can I design a diet for you to follow. I'm not a licensed counselor. I can't offer you any advice. But that isn't what this is about. So, am I qualified to discuss bear fitness with you? In the weeks ahead, I'll let you be the judge of that.

First, a little background....who am I? I am a 6 feet tall, 260 lb bear, who, finally at 34, has embraced myself as a bear. I've fought with that identity for years. My physicality as a bear began early, when I was just a teenager. My mind wasn't so quick to accept it. I was the hairy chunky boy while all my classmates were lean and smooth. Can anyone identify? It has only been in the past couple of years that my mind has caught up with my body and made peace with being a bear. I like who I am. I love being big and thick and solid and hairy. Do I have perfectly rounded pecs? No. Do I have a flat, rippled stomach? No. But I am a firm believer that while my body may be far from perfect in the eyes of the general population, I can be as fit and as healthy as anyone out there.

And that is the quest I am on...to be the best bear--the best human being I can be. I am striving to find an incredible balance between physical fitness and mental fitness. This is what I want to share with you and talk about with you. In the months and years ahead, I am committed to this journey. I'm going on the ride---the lap bar is down---the thumbs-up is given.

Join me?

Until next time,

Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)