Many people view weight loss as a matter of 'willpower,' but there are physiological barriers that willpower alone cannot overcome. For instance, those with a Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo, 脾虛)—a state of weakened digestive and absorptive function—often feel heavy and experience edema even when eating very little. In such cases, overly restrictive dieting triggers a 'survival mode' in the body, causing it to cling more tightly to energy stores. Traditional Korean Medicine focuses on the internal environment that causes weight loss stagnation. When stagnant blood (Eo-hyeol, 瘀血) or accumulated phlegm-fluid (Dam-eum, 痰飮) obstructs circulation, metabolism slows down. Our priority is to clear these obstructions first, returning the body to a state where it can efficiently circulate and utilize energy. | Category | Typical Restrictive Diets | Baekrokdam TKM Diet | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Approach** | Calorie restriction & reduced intake | Constitutional improvement & metabolic efficiency | | **Primary Goal** | Rapid reduction of the number on the scale | Restoration of bodily balance & constitutional change | | **Energy Level** | Depleted vitality, easy fatigue | Sustained vitality through Qi supplementation | | **Appetite Control** | Suppressing hunger through mental will | Natural regulation via customized herbal medicine | | **Aftercare** | Highly susceptible to the yo-yo effect | Enhanced maintenance by improving metabolic capacity | | **Prescription** | Standardized meal guides | Personalized prescriptions based on individual constitution | Before comparing which method is 'better,' it is essential to understand your body's current state. Having experienced the struggles of dieting myself, I can tell you that the path that does not torture the body is the one that lasts the longest. Please visit us for a consultation to examine your current condition together.