Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I keep losing my motivation to diet; will I ever be able to see this through to the end?
It is likely not a matter of willpower, but rather a reflection of your physical condition. When your vital energy is depleted or you are psychologically unstable, the brain instinctively craves high-calorie foods. It is crucial to first restore your body's balance and assess your current state using a checklist.
Many people try to lose weight through extreme fasting, only to experience dizziness and functional impairment in their daily lives, leading to self-blame for having 'weak willpower.' However, this is often a physiological signal rather than a psychological failure.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), a loss of motivation or sudden bouts of binge eating are often viewed as 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). This is a state where the digestive system's function is weakened, preventing the body from generating sufficient energy (Qi). Furthermore, the accumulation of 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dameum, 痰飮)—metabolic waste—or 'Blood Stasis' (Eohyeol, 瘀血)—impaired blood circulation—can make the body feel heavy and lethargic, making it easy to give up.
Please check the following list to see if your body is currently in a condition that supports dieting:
✓ Sleep: Do you get more than 6 hours of deep sleep to allow the brain to rest?
✓ Hunger: Do you experience 'emotional hunger' (cravings) rather than actual physical hunger?
✓ Energy Levels: Does your body feel incredibly heavy and exhausted when waking up in the morning?
✓ Emotional Fluctuations: Do you have a tendency to cope with stress immediately through food?
If two or more of these apply to you, now is not the time to force your willpower, but to supplement your body's vital energy. Once the body reaches a state of comfort and balance, mental fortitude naturally follows. Rather than struggling alone, let us identify which part of your bodily flow is obstructed.