Imagine a life where you could control a terminal disease, even cure it, through your own actions. This was the reality faced by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who transformed his health through a dedicated weight loss plan.
Huckabee's Wake-Up Call
Mike Huckabee, born on August 24, 1955, in Hope, Arkansas, was once the "biggest man in Arkansas politics." After a lifetime of indulging in fried foods and avoiding exercise, Huckabee found himself dangerously overweight. He enjoyed "fried foods," "gravy poured on top of a big glob of mashed potatoes," and "going to the state fair and having a fried Twinkie." These choices led to his weight topping 280 pounds, and he was diagnosed with type-two diabetes. His family, including First Lady Janet Huckabee, feared he would die of a heart attack.
In early 2003, a particularly humiliating incident occurred when Huckabee broke a chair at a cabinet meeting, witnessed by over 50 state officials. "I found myself sprawled out on the floor," Huckabee says. "It was terribly humiliating." Around the same time, his doctor told him he had type-2 diabetes and that the disease could kill him. It was time for a change.
The Turning Point: A Decision to Live
Fifteen months prior to his transformation, Huckabee decided he wanted to live. This decision marked the beginning of a significant lifestyle change. He embarked on a journey that not only improved his health but also inspired many others.
The Pillars of Huckabee's Weight Loss Plan
Huckabee's path to fitness was simple. He says, "The truth is if you really want to get healthy, you have to cut the number of calories coming in. You have to burn calories through physical exercise. That's how you get to good health. There is no magic pill. Believe me, if there was, I would have already found it, I'd be using it and I'd be talking about it."
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Dietary Changes: A Simple Yet Specific Approach
Huckabee's new diet was straightforward. He eliminated sugar and avoided processed foods, bread, and potatoes. Instead, he focused on fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean cuts of meat.
To manage his diet during political events, where he had no control over the menu, Huckabee started bringing a cooler with his own healthy meals. He would inform his hosts that he would not eat before speaking. His diet has undergone an equally drastic change. His former sugar- and fat-laden diet-which he described as “fried foods, lots of potatoes, gravy, ice cream, just about anything, especially snack foods and chips”-has been replaced by one emphasizing fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and nuts. He strictly avoids refined sugar, trans fats, and highly processed foods.
Exercise Routine: From Walking to Running Marathons
Huckabee incorporated regular exercise into his daily routine. He began with walking and gradually increased his activity level. He does 3 to 4 miles in around 30 minutes, seven days a week. In marathon mode, Huckabee ran 3 to 5 miles 4 days a week and did a longer run on Sundays. He puts in at least 35 minutes on a stationary bike every day, adding a full-body weight-lifting routine once a week.
He started small, going on early-morning walks with his black Labrador, Jet. At the outset, just 12 minutes of walking left him virtually breathless. Yet he persisted with the program, gradually building strength. One day, several months after beginning his exercise program, he spontaneously began running, an experience he likens in his book to “the scene from Forrest Gump when Forrest was being chased by a group of bullies and, as he started running, his leg braces fall off. About a year after beginning the program-and about 100 pounds lighter than when he started-he surprised himself by running in the Firecracker 5K race in Little Rock, a feeling of exhilaration that he likens to “winning the Super Bowl.” Additional races followed. Remarkably, last spring, just two years after starting his diet and exercise program, Gov. Huckabee completed the 26.2-mile Little Rock Marathon.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Huckabee sought guidance from Dr. Phillip Kern, head of the Weight Control Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In the program’s first phase, patients are put on a largely liquid diet of prepared soups and nutritional supplements. According to Gov. Huckabee, “It worked for me because I didn’t have to think, plan, or fret about what I could or couldn’t eat.
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The Governor's Tips:
- Toss temptation. "People set themselves up for failure when they stash their trouble foods in the car, drawer, or pantry. It's a moment of truth when you gather the junk and throw it away."
- Create accountability. "Exercise with a friend."
The Remarkable Results
In 15 months, Huckabee's pants size went from 50 to 35. Under his doctor's care, he lost more than 100 pounds. His diabetes and heart problems disappeared, marking a significant improvement in his overall health. Huckabee no longer needed a seatbelt extender on planes, and he could climb the capitol steps without becoming drenched with sweat. He started running for the first time since junior high. He felt like Forrest Gump with the braces coming off.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Huckabee's lifestyle changes became permanent. He eats breakfast every day--bacon and eggs, or oatmeal with a banana. Yogurt or an apple midmorning holds him over until lunch, which is typically a skinless chicken breast and a salad. Dinner is grilled fish or steak with asparagus and a salad, and he keeps healthy snacks, such as fruit and sliced turkey breast, in a cooler for the road.
Even with his disciplined approach, Huckabee allows himself occasional indulgences. “I still splurge on barbecued ribs because no self-respecting Southerner can completely give up some things God intended us to enjoy,” he says.
"Healthy Arkansas": A State-Level Initiative
Huckabee's commitment to health extended beyond his personal journey. He launched "Healthy Arkansas," an initiative aimed at transforming one of the nation's unhealthiest states into one of the healthiest.
Addressing Arkansas' Health Crisis
Arkansas faced significant health challenges, including high rates of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, obesity, and smoking. To address these issues, "Healthy Arkansas" sought to promote healthier eating habits, increased physical activity, and reduced tobacco use.
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The program aimed to achieve specific goals by January 2007, including:
- Increasing the percentage of active juveniles and adults.
- Reducing the percentage of obese children and adults.
- Reducing the percentage of adolescents and adults who smoke.
Diabetes Education and Intervention
A key component of "Healthy Arkansas" was the Diabetes Disease Management Program, a public-private partnership aimed at providing diabetes education and support to residents. The program emphasized face-to-face consultations with trained diabetes educators and provided information on lifestyle changes, medication, exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.
Lessons Learned and Lasting Impact
Mike Huckabee's weight loss journey is a testament to the power of determination and lifestyle change. His experience highlights the importance of diet, exercise, and professional guidance in achieving and maintaining good health. His transformation not only improved his own life but also inspired countless others to take control of their health.
Huckabee’s personal odyssey has not only informed his views about the sorry state of health and health care in his native Arkansas and in America generally, but has also emboldened him to take a leadership role in changing a culture focused on treating disease to one focused on creating health and wellness.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Huckabee's story underscores the importance of a holistic approach to health, encompassing not only diet and exercise but also mental and emotional well-being. He emphasizes that focusing on overall health and fitness, rather than just weight loss, is key to long-term success.
Huckabee's Message to Others
Huckabee's message is clear: "weight loss comes back to this simple truth-fewer calories in (consumption) and more calories out (exercise). "a focus on weight loss will probably lead to failure. Instead, your focus needs to be on actual health and fitness. With permanent health and fitness, the weight will take care of itself . . . My experience is that most people fail not because their method fails them, but because their motivation fails them."