Mike Huckabee is Still a Loser
Mike Huckabee graciously lost his bid for the 2008 presidential nomination, but he’s a winner in his battle for a healthy lifestyle. Weighing over 300 pounds in 2000, he reveals in his new book, “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork,” how to turn your life around by breaking all those bad eating habits and replace them with a new attitude and lifestyle. The former governor was diagnosed in 2002 with Type 2 diabetes, a condition which affects over 14 million Americans. Huckabee was told he must change his overeating, no-exercise, high stress life or he could be looking at death within 10 years. That was enough to turn him around and think seriously about what he wanted to accomplish in his lifetime and 10 years seemed too little time.
Huckabee says he doesn’t even pretend to have all the answers, but hopes he may help others avoid diabetes or overcome the disease. He admits his path takes real commitment and hard work. And like most overweight people, he was offended by those “gym rats” preaching their message about getting fit.
He tells us to first, see the big picture. Never will you be able to look back and say that you’re finished with this thing. It is a lifelong change. This is critical. There is no quick fix.
Next, set small goals. His original goal was to lose only 30 or 40 pounds. For him that was something he thought he could do. Setting a higher goal would have set himself up for failure. He kept telling himself he just wanted to be healthier. He wanted to live longer.
Three: Don’t Diet. He says, “You can’t sit in the passenger seat on this one; you have to be willing to drive.” You have to always be in control of your lifestyle. If you’re on a diet, you have the feeling that it is temporary and this is not.
Four: Go Slow. At first, Governor Huckabee had to lose a few pounds before his doctor would allow him to exercise so he wouldn’t injure his knees. His first routine consisted of walking about 6 minutes. Then, the walking became a reward in itself and he kept adding a few minutes at a time. Eventually he was walking a mile and a half a day. Then he was running marathons.
Five: Find a daily routine. Your own routine may be much different, but include exercise just as you would brush your teeth and get dressed for work. Huckabee gets up at 4:30 am so he has the time to walk a mile, run three, then walk a half mile to cool down. Then he reads the newspaper while on the recumbent stationary bike for 30 minutes. Be creative and make the time for your good health habits.
Last: Make Food Changes. He almost totally gave up processed sugar and white flour. He’s found that his body doesn’t need it and he really doesn’t want it any longer. He includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and watches the portions he consumes. Usually a salad is eaten without dressing, but if anything is used, salsa is all that is needed.
Other tips: Packing a small cooler when he travels gives Huckabee the energy he needs without “having” to make a bad choice. He packs smoked turkey, strawberries, apples, bottled water and diet soda. It’s easier to say “no” than “not that much,” he said. Also, be ready for your weakest moment, which for him is late at night after everyone else has gone to bed. He now will choose an apple over chips, because that’s what he really wants, but that wasn’t the case at the start. He had to really think about that choice in the beginning. Now it’s almost a reflex. (Information from the Washington Post)
Today, publicising his new book, Mike Huckabee reports he has had no diabetes symptoms in two years. He takes no medication for his condition and he feels healthy. Sounds like he’s found the secret we’ve all been looking for!
