Ark. Governor Writes Book on Weight Loss

Ark. Governor Writes Book on Weight Loss

Tue May 3,11:52 AM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The once hefty Gov. Mike Huckabee, who lost more than 100 pounds and made the fight against obesity a personal crusade, has written a book to help others step back from the buffet.

"Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork" offers a 12-step program to end bad habits and start a healthy lifestyle. Key points include getting off the couch, knowing what's in your food, and ignoring destructive criticism. "You can do it, and for your life to be fun again you must do it," writes Huckabee, who once weighed more than 280 pounds. At 5 feet 11, that would put him on the cusp of being morbidly obese.

His book goes on sale May 10, according to publishing house Center Street, a division of Time Warner.

Two events caused Huckabee to change his life: He was diagnosed with diabetes in 2003, and a close friend, the overweight former Gov. Frank White, dropped dead from a heart attack at age 69.

Huckabee writes that once, in a meeting with 53 agency heads, he shattered an antique chair because of his weight.

"I was inclined to cry, but instead said, 'Boy, they sure don't build 'em like they used to,'" Huckabee writes in the book. "Deep down, I knew ... it was me that needed a major overhaul."