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

~ (Author) "It has been said that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions," but unquestionably the road to obesity is paved with procrastination..." (more)
Key Phrases: Super Bowl, Little Rock, Weight Watchers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Governor Huckabee’s fantastic lifestyle change is an inspiration and a model for our nation." -- —Arnold Schwarzenegger

"Governor Mike Huckabee has proven that self discipline, diet, and exercise can lead to a happier, healthier lifestyle." -- —Bill Clinton

"The most practical, factual, commonsense approach to a healthy lifestyle…." -- —Fay Boozman, MD, MPH, director, Arkansas Department of Health

"Warm, witty, wise, and truly empowering." -- —David L. Katz, MD, MPH, Yale University School of Medicine, Oprah Magazine nutrition columnist

Product Description

After his personal success at shedding 100-plus pounds, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee shares his secrets to creating better health habits to last a lifetime. In QUIT DIGGING YOUR GRAVE WITH A KNIFE AND FORK, a leaner, fitter Governor Mike Huckabee motivates readers to better health. With his new 12 'Stop' program, he encourages people to break free from the destructive habits that threaten their health and self-esteem. According to Huckabee, focusing solely on weight loss usually leads to failure, and attention to total body health is the only way to truly succeed. Filled withHuckabee's realistic lifestyle changes, practical fitness approach, and humor, QUIT DIGGING YOUR GRAVE WITH A KNIFE AND FORK motivates readers to take action and realize fitness is not a fad, it's forever.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (May 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446578061
• ISBN-13: 978-0446578066
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars At Last, A Diet Book for Men Who Don't Read Diet Books, September 25, 2006

By	O. Brown "Ms. O. Khannah-Brown" (Twopeas, WA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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*****
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.
*****

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Be like Mike, September 23, 2005

By	J. S. Levine (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now this is the book for getting healthy, January 2, 2006

By	G. E. Kugler "Ed Kugler - nomoreBS - Author o... (Big Arm, Montana United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.