Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Is there an effective way to lose weight in just one month?
Since one month is a short period, rather than simply starving yourself, you need an approach tailored to your body's condition. For example, those who often feel bloated and have poor digestion (spleen deficiency with dampness-phlegm) should focus on promoting water excretion, while those with strong appetite and frequent chest tightness (stomach heat with heart fire) should first control appetite. Identifying the root cause can lead to noticeable changes within a month.
First, when considering a 'one-month diet,' I want to emphasize 'the more urgent, the more you need to step back.' I myself once suffered from rebound weight gain after starving myself to lose weight in a month. (laughs) In Traditional Korean Medicine, the body is broadly classified into several types for approach. First, the **spleen deficiency (脾虛, bi xu)** type. When spleen function weakens, water metabolism becomes impaired, leading to bloating and fatigue. In this case, rather than simply eating less, herbs that tonify the spleen and eliminate dampness are needed. Second, the **stomach heat (胃熱, wi yeol)** type—those who often feel chest tightness, strong hunger pangs, dry mouth, or constipation. Here, the prescription focuses on clearing stomach heat and controlling appetite. Third, **blood stasis (瘀血, eo hyeol)** or **phlegm-fluid retention (痰飮, dam eum)** may be the cause. If blood circulation is blocked or unnecessary waste accumulates in the body, it creates a constitution that resists weight loss. The key is that because one month is short, we must first identify 'what is the biggest obstacle.' Herbal medicine or acupuncture can help target that cause, and when combined with lifestyle adjustments, you can experience meaningful changes in a short time. However, excessive weight loss can disrupt the body's balance, so I strongly recommend consulting a professional while proceeding.