Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I always experience the yo-yo effect whenever I diet. Is there a way to succeed this time?
The key is not simply eating less, but creating a physical state where your body can sustain the weight loss. Excessive calorie restriction puts your body into a 'crisis mode,' which ironically transforms your constitution into one that gains weight more easily. It is crucial to first assess your current metabolic capacity and use a checklist to adjust your diet and activity levels accordingly.
Before becoming a practitioner of Korean Medicine, I also tried reckless fasting to lose weight, which only left me feeling dizzy and exhausted. When nutrient supply is suddenly cut off, the body enters 'survival mode,' drastically lowering the basal metabolic rate to conserve energy—this is the primary cause of the yo-yo effect.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this not as a lack of willpower, but as a problem of internal 'waste accumulation' and 'functional decline.' Please review the following checklist to assess your condition:
✓ Extreme drowsiness and heaviness after meals $
ightarrow$ This may indicate an accumulation of Dam-eum (痰飮), abnormal fluid waste stagnating in the body.
✓ Shortness of breath with minimal movement and poor circulation $
ightarrow$ There is a high possibility that Eo-hyeol (瘀血), or blood stasis, is hindering your metabolism.
✓ Weak digestion and lack of energy, making dietary control difficult $
ightarrow$ This suggests a state of Bi-heo (脾虛), or Spleen Deficiency, leading to decreased metabolic efficiency.
Ultimately, to prevent the yo-yo effect, you must first repair your body's 'engine' (metabolic function). Rather than indiscriminate fasting, you need a process that simultaneously clears stagnant waste and replenishes deficient Qi. Only then will your body feel secure and maintain a stable weight. I recommend visiting a clinic to check your specific constitution together.