Customer Reviews

Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork: A 12-Stop Program to End Bad Habits and Begin a Healthy Lifestyle

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

*****
Anyone---indeed everyone---could benefit from reading "Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork", but the ideal target audience for this book is a demographic that has traditionally been left out of the diet book market---successful, busy, middle-aged men who don't read diet books, and who find it hard to be successful on traditional diet programs, even though they're successful in other areas of their lives. They don't know a whole lot about nutrition and the whole idea of dieting turns them off, but they are concerned about their health as they approach middle age. If this is you, then buy this book!

The author understands that most obese men are not looking for new recipes or detailed information about fat chemistry and metabolism, but eat out at fast food places, want someone who speaks to them who is not a young fit personal trainer or their wife, and who will make it possible for them to succeed at possibly the most important task they'll ever undertake---saving their own life.

It is a quick and entertaining read (I read it in an hour) but worth buying even in hardback because it is packed full of useable information and guidance. This is not a book of recipes or complex plans or information about nutrition. It's a motivational book AND an instructional book about a very easy way of eating that men actually can do. This book fills a perfect niche, and is the only one like it that I've ever seen.

It is written by Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas, who is not a medical doctor, nor someone who is an expert in exercise or nutrition, but that is the great appeal of the book. He speaks as someone who has been ultimately very successful with weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, despite being very, very busy, and despite a past history of failure at controlling his weight. His tips and advice, indeed his whole program, is simple and workable.

The subtitle of this book is "A 12-Stop Program To End Bad Habits and Begin a Healthy Lifestyle". That's a 12-Stop program, not a 12-Step program. Mike Huckabee's 12 Stops are:
1. STOP Procrastinating.
2. STOP Making Excuses.
3. STOP Sitting on the Couch.
4. STOP Ignoring Signals from Your Body.
5. STOP Listening to Destructive Criticism.
6. STOP Expecting Immediate Success.
7. STOP Whining.
8. STOP Making Exceptions.
9. STOP Storing Provisions for Failure.
10. STOP Fueling with Contaminated Food.
11. STOP Allowing Food to Be A Reward.
12. STOP Neglecting Your Spiritual Health.

Best of all, the author tells you exactly HOW to do all these things, and how he did them given his lifestyle, what his struggles were, and what he does now to maintain his weight loss.

And he believes that if you will do this for JUST 12 DAYS you will be able to keep going, not primarily to lose weight, but to have a healthy lifestyle, and so importantly, to be happy---yes, happy---doing it, not miserable! In the appendix, he lays out day by day exactly what you should do.

It did help me, but I am quite excited about my husband reading it, as he recently had a heart attack and hasn't been able to follow either low-sodium or low-fat diets...I just got the book today, read it as soon as I opened it, and will give it to my husband tonight. Mike Huckabee understands the lifestyle and pressures men have, the interests they have and don't have, and writes for them.

I'd give this book my highest recommendation and thank Governor Huckabee for writing it. I know it will save lives and leave many men happier and healthier.
*****

I first read about the governor in a runner's magazine. What clicked with me was his matter of fact approach to right an ailing lifestyle. From the article, I decided that I could do the same if I understood how he adhered to his ideas.

I had the good fortune of meeting the governor at a (completely empty) book signing in midtown New York City. I sat with him for 15 minutes discussing the approach, his determination and his strength. I realized that he was no different than any of us. Only he was executing on his ideas, paying the price to do so and reaping the benefits.

While miracles don't happen overnight, I can happily say that adhering to the program does produce excellent results. Watching the calories and exercising is beneficial, no matter what! Governor Huckabee shows us that we all can take control and succeed.

His book is a quick read, straightforward and outlines his concepts. Best part is that it all makes sense and is a perfect way to begin to gain control of your lifestyle.

I recently found out I am type II diabetic and had seen the Governor on TV talking about what he accomplished. I bought his book and immediately took it to heart. It is practical and common sense advice but it works. In less than two months of walking and eating as he precribes my diabetes is going the other way, I have now lost 19 pounds in less than two months and my hat goes off to him for sure. I am changed thanks to Governor Huckabee. Well worth buying and following his advice.

Mike Huckabee, Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork (Center Street, 2005)

One doesn't expect diet books from the governors of Southern states. But that's exactly what one gets with Mike Huckabee's Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork. Well, perhaps "diet book" isn't quite the proper term. Huckabee is not talking about getting thin through dieting here; he's talking about the same thing doctors have been telling us for years, that changing our eating and exercise habits is what will ultimately lead us to good health. While the book does certainly have its shortcomings (anyone advocating "the size of my fist" as a realistic portion size in twenty-first century America has, simply, lost touch with reality), Huckabee puts forth common sense in a way that most people can understand-- to the point where I'm rather confused the Republicans haven't kicked him out as a traitor yet. (If it happens, Governor, we Libertarians will be happy to have you.)

The most important thing Huckabee does here is put forth the idea of starting small and working your way up. The ludicrous idea that you have to work out for a certain length of time in order to get any positive benefit is nowhere to be found. Instead, Huckabee suggests starting with slow walking for twelve minutes. I can hear fitness gurus and authors of fad diet books shrieking in agony now at the very suggestion that one might get positive benefits from twelve minutes of slow walking, but that such a thing could be helpful to a completely sedentary person should be obvious to any thinking human being. And that's what's ultimately worthwhile about this book-- Huckabee wrote it for thinking human beings.

I never thought I'd be saying "recommended" about a nonfiction book by a Republican that was written after the time of Calvin Coolidge, but there you have it.

As a fitness professional who has spent his lifetime motivating people to find a path to fitness, I was blown away by how simple and effective Gov. Huckabee's advice was in the book. I learned a lot from it that I can possibly apply in my own profession; namely, removing the psychological barriers that prevent overweight individuals from realizing success. Inspiring, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and no-nonsense... Whether you are overweight or not you will be glad you read this book!

Very insightful book about Mike Huckabee's personal weight loss process. What motivated him to lose weight and what convinced him he needed a healthy lifestyle change. I am very glad I bought this book as I find that the governor and I have a lot in common. As I read it, it made me think "this is me totally" the further I went into the book I realized there is a multitude of overweight people that have the same battles to fight daily. Although I am not from Arkansas nor have I ever met Governor Huckabee (for that matter never even heard of him till I read the book), I came to feel like I was reading a book from a person who had been a longtime friend. Well worth reading and in my case RE-reading. I totally enjoyed it.

As a 50 year old who 20 years ago made the lifestyle change that the governor so excellently presents, I can attest he's 100% right on! However, after several years of wonderful success I let myself slip back into those old bad habits. So I'm now going ROUND TWO because I was scared into action after a diagnosis of sky-high blood pressure and cholesterol accompanied by the other debilitating effects of obesity. Just two weeks and I already feel like a different person! Look, it's not what the bathroom scales say, it's how you FEEL... and the weight automatically comes off! You're no longer a slave to food and inactivity. If you've tried and failed diet and exercise programs before, don't worry, READ THIS BOOK. You'll be amazed at all the wisdom and inspiration packed into it and how it will get YOU on the road to health and happiness. God bless you.

The book is right on the money and if you start thinking to eat healthy you will see a change in your weight and life style.
All you really need to do is get started. I'm not overwight and I learned from the book and feel better just eating healthy. Forget the fries.

I started Weight Watchers 4 weeks and 12 pounds ago because of what I heard Governor Huckabee say on a TV interview. "Nothing tastes as great as thin feels." I had been thinking about losing weight for several months and this statement (or something close to it) made it all clear to me. If his book exudes the sensibility and passion he does when speaking, it deserves 5 stars. Update that to 27 weeks and 38 pounds and being thin is feeling great!

Great book with lots of common sense info. I am so tired of diets and tempory help. Very helpful to those who need a lifetime change to geting healthy.