Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I keep experiencing yo-yo effects even after dieting. How can I prevent the yo-yo effect?
To prevent yo-yo, first check these patterns: Did you lose weight too quickly in a short time? → Muscle loss lowers basal metabolic rate, making weight regain easy. Did you rely only on appetite suppressants or injections? → When the drug effect ends, your natural appetite and metabolism return, causing yo-yo. Did you combine multiple methods at once? → The body has no time to adapt, increasing yo-yo risk. If these apply, it helps to examine your constitution and internal function first.
Yo-yo is not simply a matter of willpower — it occurs because your body's metabolic environment has changed. Before becoming a Korean medicine doctor, I myself experienced yo-yo several times from extreme dieting, which actually motivated me to study further. In Traditional Korean Medicine, obesity is attributed to three main causes. First, Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾虛, biheo): when the spleen's function weakens, it cannot properly digest and absorb food, leading to accumulation. Second, Phlegm-Dampness (痰飮, dameum): unnecessary fluid and waste build up in the body, making it easy to swell and gain weight. Third, Blood Stasis (瘀血, eohyeol): poor blood circulation hinders waste elimination, making fat removal difficult. Ignoring these root causes and only using surface methods (calorie restriction, appetite suppression) may lead to temporary weight loss but inevitably results in regain. So it's important to check your yo-yo prevention checklist: Was your weight loss rate ≥1 kg per week? → Rapid loss causes muscle loss and decreased basal metabolism. Did you drastically reduce food intake? → Nutritional imbalance can further weaken spleen function. Did you rely only on diet without exercise? → Without muscle maintenance, metabolism drops and yo-yo becomes likely. Have you repeated multiple diets in the past? → The more yo-yo cycles, the more your body adapts to gain weight easily. If any of these apply, you need an approach that restores bodily function, not just 'lose then maintain'. Korean medicine helps improve constitution by supplementing the Spleen, resolving Phlegm-Dampness, and dispelling Blood Stasis. I recommend first understanding your condition through a consultation without pressure.