Reviewed by최연승대표원장
It's easy to ruin my diet during holidays or long weekends. Is there a way to maintain my weight loss?
Sudden intake of high-calorie foods leads to the accumulation of Dam-eum (phlegm-fluid retention), which increases weight. Instead of suppressing your appetite, try changing the eating order: vegetables first, then proteins, and carbohydrates last. Light walking and warm tea during trips can significantly help maintain your metabolic capacity.
I have personally experienced the 'mental breakdown' of starving myself throughout a holiday only to end up binge eating. It can be truly overwhelming. In Traditional Korean Medicine, when the body cannot process a sudden surge of high-calorie foods, it results in 'Dam-eum' (痰飮)—a state where metabolic waste and fluid accumulate in the body. When this recurs, you often feel heavy and bloated.
Therefore, I recommend a step-by-step approach. First, awaken your stomach with a glass of water 1 to 2 hours before a meal. During the meal, the key is the sequence: 'Vegetables → Protein → Grains.' Consuming dietary fiber first prevents blood sugar spikes, creating an environment where you are less likely to gain weight.
If you overeat during the holidays, do not starve yourself the next day; instead, drink plenty of warm water or tea. In TKM, if you fast excessively while in a state of 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen Deficiency/weakened digestive function), your metabolism may drop further, making you more susceptible to the yo-yo effect. It is far more efficient to promote the circulation of Qi and Blood through light walking to resolve stagnant 'Eo-hyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis).
Do not stress too much during business trips or travel. Focus on 'avoiding the worst choices' rather than maintaining a perfect diet. If management remains difficult, please visit the clinic so we can determine the best regulatory method tailored to your current body constitution.