Many people mistakenly believe that simply consuming high-protein foods like chicken breast and sweet potatoes is the key to weight loss, only to suffer from bloating and lethargy. No matter how high the quality of nutrition is, it is futile if your body is not prepared to absorb it. In TKM, a state of impaired digestive function is referred to as 'Spleen Deficiency' (Bi-heo, 脾虛). When the function of the Spleen is weak, food is not efficiently converted into energy and instead accumulates as metabolic waste. These wastes transform into 'Phlegm-Fluid' (Dam-eum, 痰飮), which obstructs circulation and slows down your overall metabolism. This is how a constitution is formed where weight does not drop even with a caloric deficit. If this is compounded by 'Blood Stasis' (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血)—where blood circulation is stagnant—you may experience severe heaviness in the body and increased edema (swelling). Therefore, rather than jumping straight into a high-protein diet, you first need an 'adaptation period' to enhance gastrointestinal motility and reduce inflammation. The 'cooking/ripening process' is essentially a stage of preheating your internal engine so that your digestive organs can efficiently burn protein, which is a 'heavy fuel.' Only when this foundational work is solid can you increase your intake and maintain a healthy weight without the yo-yo effect.