Q. I'm curious about how to prevent yo-yo dieting. I've tried dieting several times, but every time I regain weight, and it's frustrating. How can I prevent the yo-yo effect?

Repeated yo-yo effects often occur because the body enters a 'famine mode.' In Traditional Korean Medicine, this can be broadly categorized into two patterns. **A. Uncontrolled appetite and binge eating** – This suggests spleen deficiency (脾虛). When the spleen's function weakens, food is not properly digested or absorbed, and the body tries to store energy, making appetite regulation difficult. Weight gained rapidly tends to be fat rather than muscle, and fatigue is common. Treatment involves strengthening the spleen with herbs like Astragalus (황기) and Atractylodes (백출), stabilizing digestion. Diet should include adequate protein with gradual increases in food intake. **B. Easily swollen, heavy, and fatigued body** – This is often due to blood stasis (瘀血) or phlegm-fluid (痰飮). Poor circulation and accumulation of waste products slow metabolism, predisposing you to weight regain. Treatment combines blood-nourishing herbs such as Angelica (당귀) and Cnidium (천궁) with phlegm-removing herbs like Pinellia (반하) and Tangerine peel (진피). Lifestyle advice includes light aerobic exercise and stretching to promote circulation. These patterns can coexist, and individual habits and stress levels also play a role. Rather than severe calorie restriction, recovering the body's balance is key. A thorough examination upon visiting will allow us to propose a tailored approach.