Reviewed by최연승대표원장
My family keeps pressuring me to eat or creating an environment that hinders my progress. How should I start my diet in this situation?
It is a very challenging situation. Environmental influences are often more powerful than sheer willpower. Instead of framing this as a 'diet,' share with your family that you are undergoing 'medical treatment' to balance your body's internal systems. I will help you devise a specific strategy during your consultation.
The most difficult obstacles are often 'psychological hunger' and social temptations. In Korean culture, sharing meals is a strong expression of affection (Jeong), which can make you feel like you are disrupting the harmony when you restrict your diet. As a practitioner of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), I understand this struggle well; when you are physically depleted, the smell of food can be overwhelming.
From a TKM perspective, sudden cravings triggered by stress are often not a lack of willpower, but a state of 'Gan-gi-ul-gyeol' (Liver Qi Stagnation). When the flow of Liver Qi is blocked due to stress, emotional regulation becomes difficult, and 'false hunger' intensifies. If this is coupled with 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), your digestive functions weaken, making you feel sluggish and more irritable.
I suggest telling your family, 'I am not simply trying to lose weight, but starting a treatment to remove Dam-eum (phlegm-fluid retention) and Eo-hyeol (blood stasis) to recover my overall health.' Shifting the perception from 'dieting' to 'medical treatment' often changes the family's reaction from interference to support.
While this approach may not work for everyone, changing your environment is the fastest way to succeed. Rather than struggling alone, please visit the clinic. We will find a prescription tailored to your body's current state and discuss the best way to communicate your goals to your family.