Blog & Columns
Useful information about health and Korean medicine.
Total 675 posts
Cheat Day: Definition, Metabolism, and Misconceptions
One of the most frequent questions I receive from weight loss patients is, "Doctor, can I have a cheat day?" I can tell they've already decided on the answer just by their expressions. Having struggled with the same thoughts during my own diets, I truly understand. Today, let's break down what this 'body-fooling day' actually is and whether it is truly effective.
Preventing Diet Yo-Yo Effect — The Mechanism of 'Maintenance Phase' More Important Than Weight Loss and Dietary Habit Strategies
The joy of reaching your target weight through dieting is fleeting. Have you ever felt that terrifying moment when you look in the mirror and realize your body has returned to how it was before? I too remember feeling completely bewildered when I drastically changed my diet in the past and my weight bounced back in an instant. Many people dismiss the yo-yo effect as simply 'lack of willpower,' but in reality, it's closer to a remarkably precise defense mechanism that our bodies activate for survival...
BMI & Obesity: Formula, Normal Ranges, and Criteria
A common question I hear in the clinic is, "Doctor, am I actually overweight, or is it just in my head?" While not a perfect metric, calculating your BMI is a great starting point to see the big picture of your health. Let’s look at the official standards together.
Subway Diet Guide: 315kcal Lunch Combinations
Struggling with lunch plans while on a diet? Here is a guide to managing your calories at Subway for a stress-free meal.
Clinical Diary #04 — Shivering Body, Flowing Sweat
A clinical case exploring the paradox of feeling cold while sweating, and how Traditional Korean Medicine addresses autonomic nervous system imbalances caused by chronic sleep issues and stress.
Breaking Through Diet Plateaus — Strategic Use of Refeed and Sleep to Wake Up Metabolic Adaptation
Do you remember that thrilling weight loss speed when you first started your diet and exercise routine? But at some point, even if you eat only chicken breast and increase your workout intensity, the numbers on the scale stop moving. This is when many people blame themselves, thinking "Is my willpower not strong enough?" or make the extreme choice of further reducing their food intake. I also had similar experiences in the past, and I remember feeling dizzy after starving myself and eventually leading to binge eating.
Causes of Diet Plateau — Body Signals That Don't Lose Weight Even When Eating Less and How to Restore Metabolism
When you first start adjusting your diet and exercising, the numbers dropping consistently must have felt great. But at some point, you've probably experienced the scale suddenly stopping. That's when many people wonder, "Is my willpower lacking?" or "Is my body just not meant to lose weight?" Rather than concluding you lack discipline, a plateau is actually a survival signal from your body—it has adapted to your reduced calorie intake. The real issues lie in metabolic adaptation, hormonal imbalances, and hidden lifestyle patterns. Here's how to identify and overcome them.
Diet for Sedentary Office Workers — The Power of Micro-Breaks that Wake Up Stalled Metabolism
I often see office workers in my clinic who spend nearly the entire day—9 AM to 6 PM—glued to their chairs. Their common frustration is, "I'm eating so little, so why isn't the weight coming off?" They show me their meal plans, frustrated, and when I calculate the numbers, the calories are genuinely low. Yet the scale refuses to budge.
Skip Breakfast Diet — The Correlation Between Intermittent Fasting and Blood Sugar Spikes
I keep hearing that you can lose weight just by skipping breakfast, but is that really true?
Does Drinking More Water Help You Lose Weight: The Real Impact of Hydration on Metabolism and Appetite
When I consult with patients about dieting in the clinic, there's one question I hear really often. "Doctor, does drinking more water really help me lose weight?" Some patients diligently drink 4-5 liters of water daily, while others avoid it thinking that water intake actually causes bloating.
How to Stop Late-Night Snacking: Blood Sugar & Sleep
Have you ever experienced that intense hunger that suddenly hits at 10 PM? It’s often not a matter of willpower, but a signal from your body's internal system. Learn how to break the cycle by understanding blood sugar, hormones, and Traditional Korean Medicine principles.
Stress-Induced Binge Eating — How to Manage False Hunger and Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
Have you ever arrived home after work, knowing you weren't hungry, yet suddenly found yourself obsessed with a specific food and mindlessly devouring it the moment you opened the door? Afterward, what floods in isn't a sense of fullness, but rather feelings of self-reproach and heaviness, with that nagging 'why did I do that?' sentiment. I understand that feeling well — there was a time when my work stress reached its peak...