Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I'm planning to try a diet for a month. What's the best way to start?
A month is when you begin to feel your body change. The first week is a 'cleansing' phase to reduce edema and lighten digestion. From week two, strengthen spleen function to regulate nutrient absorption. Week three promotes qi and blood circulation to boost fat metabolism. Week four solidifies constitution-appropriate eating habits. Individual results vary; avoid overdoing to prevent rebound. Consistency matters more.
First, I empathize. I've also struggled with the 'lose it all in a month' mindset, which often backfires. In Traditional Korean Medicine, dieting is not just weight loss but restoring body balance. **Week 1 – 'Cleansing' and Regulation**: Eliminate excess dampness (濕) and blood stasis (瘀血) from overeating or salty foods, reducing edema and resting the stomach. You may lose 1–2 kg, mostly water—don't be misled. **Week 2 – Correcting Spleen Deficiency (脾虛)**: A weak spleen stores food as fat instead of energy. Boosting spleen qi (氣) with herbs or acupuncture stabilizes appetite and improves digestion, often leading to weight loss even while eating normally. **Week 3 – Removing Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮) and Boosting Metabolism**: Phlegm-fluid enlarges fat cells. Dissolving it and activating qi and blood circulation reduces subcutaneous fat, with noticeable changes in waistline rather than scale weight. **Week 4 – Establishing Constitution-Specific Habits**: Maintain changes while adapting diet and lifestyle to your constitution—e.g., Soeumin types prefer warming foods, Taeumin types lean protein. Without this, rebound is likely. In summary, a month is a first step to reset patterns. Extreme fasting or harsh exercise is discouraged; consistent TKM treatment and gentle lifestyle adjustments lead to long-term success. I recommend consulting a professional for a personalized plan.