IQ Makes You Fat?

Ever read the standards like “Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution” or “The Zone” or “The South Beach Diet”?  Have you listened again and again to weight loss gurus like Richard Simmons or Susan Powter or Jillian Michaels?  Did you ever become a follower of Nutrisystem, Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers?  Welcome to the IQ seduction!  It’s that media con that makes you believe when you become smarter you will become thinner.  In the words of that other guru Dr. Phil, “How has that been working for you?”

Did you know that every year there are more books published on weight loss than any other subject on the planet?  Every year!  Gurus, experts and trainers are around every corner promoting pills, formulas, exercise equipment and surgery.  Programs that promise weight loss success flood our TV, magazines and radio.  Everywhere there are answers, fixes and guarantees.  Do I have to repeat the words of Dr. Phil?

Is it OK to realize that this pursuit of knowledge does not produce the results we want?  To all those who have read, listened and followed the books, experts and programs, are you ready for the truth?

Pump up your brain and you will plump up your body.  We put it on, we take it off.  Put it on, take it off.  That yo-yo effect is what practically all those readers, listeners and followers experience.  It’s time to expose the fraud.

Why is it that when we fill our brain with weight loss facts, figures and science, we invariably end up fatter than before?  Will it ever occur to us that knowing something is different then applying it?  What more does our IQ need?

EQ!  That’s short for Emotional Intelligence.  Combine brain power with emotional energy and you’ll have the boost to apply what you know.

Powering up your EQ is not as simple as reading a book, listening to an expert or following a plan.  It’s really not about input.  Emotional Intelligence is output.  It’s expression.  It’s HOW you deal with information and your feelings.  It’s HOW you express with words and behaviors.  EQ is HOW you apply appropriate actions to accomplish your goals.

IQ needs EQ.  There, I’ve said it.  Exposing your brain to new information is one thing.  Expecting you to apply that information too, generates a multitude of fresh feelings as you try on new behaviors, build better habits and put into practice what you’ve learned.  And there’s the rub, without exceptional emotional intelligence and good communication skills, attempts to utilize what the brain learns will probably fail.  Why?  We study just the skills, secrets and science of weight loss.  We cover the mechanics, but not the EQ energy that fuels the new behaviors and attitudes needed to deal with all the challenges and choices new life strategies demand.

Still skeptical?  Look at the preponderance of evidence.  There’s the constant deluge of materials, professionals and formulas that emphasize that they have THE answer.  Well, if we have the answers, why do we still have the problem?  It seems we have the information but not the application.  Our IQ is bulging yet obesity is a national epidemic.

IQ needs EQ.  There, I’ve said it again.  Though EQ skills are a challenge to learn, they have not only kept me from getting fat again, they’ve provided me with a profession for over 25 years.

Here is my contact info:

James Cox M.Ed., (509) 947-1694  James@the-empowerment-group.com

Tags: communication, conflicting emotions, diet, disappointment, disapproval, embarrassment, emotional intelligence, excellent customer service, exercise, feelings, health clubs, illusion, Intelligence, Jenny Craig, Jillian Michaels, MOVVE, Movver, optimal, productivity, profits, Richard Simmons, South Beach diet, trainers, weight loss, Weight Watchers

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