A Healthy Pol Governs Himself

I came across a brief interview with Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in the October 23 Sports Illustrated. He was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003, lost 110 pounds over two years, and became a  runner.  ( At left, Huckabee in 2002, and 2005.)

In answer to the question "Do Americans want skinny politicians?" he said: "I think they want healthy politicians. Leaders cannot ask of others what they themselves are unwilling to do, and without doubt Americans need to be healthy. America is a lot like an NFL football game. You have 22 people on the field who really need rest and 70,000 people in the stands who really need exercise."

According to his official website, " In March 2005, Huckabee completed the Little Rock Marathon, and has since completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. and The Road Runners Club of America named him its Southern Region Runner of the Year, and he was named USA Track & Field's Athlete of the Week for the country. Huckabee's fourth book, "Quit Digging Your Grave With A Knife And Fork," was released by Time Warner Book Group in May..."

How did he transform himself? By changing his diet and  beginning to exercise. Today he has no sign of Type II diabetes.

This excerpt is from Life Extension Magazine:  "Gov. Huckabee knew he wanted to get healthy, but simply had no idea how to succeed. His break came when he was approached by a close advisor and cabinet member about a weight-loss program offered at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Led by Dr. Philip Kern, a renowned endocrinologist whose research specialty is metabolism, the UAMS program approaches weight loss in the context of permanent lifestyle changes, anchored by healthy eating habits and balanced nutrition.

In the program’s first phase, patients are put on a largely liquid diet of prepared soups and nutritional supplements. The idea is not only to eliminate sugary and high-glycemic-index foods from one’s diet, but also to effect a dramatic change away from typical eating habits. 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. I needed that intense ‘breakaway’ from having to choose my food until I changed me enough to make smart choices.” Having been broken of their former eating habits and educated about more healthful food choices, patients on the UAMS program eventually return to eating solid foods.

While the UAMS program was a big part of his success, Gov. Huckabee is quick to point out that there is no “secret” to weight loss, nor is he partial to one type of diet over another. After all, he notes, “weight loss comes back to this simple truth—fewer calories in (consumption) and more calories out (exercise).”"

Next month Huckabee, co-chair with Bill Clinton of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, will run in the New York City Marathon.

Comments

[how to lose 10 pounds]

yeah, it's all a matter of making sure you're are taking in more calories that you are burning it.

Healthy balanced diet and regular exercise is th go.