What exactly are 'recommended calories,' and why do I need to stick to them to lose weight?
Recommended calories represent the minimum energy required for your body to function and maintain daily activities. Weight gain occurs when caloric intake exceeds expenditure, leading to fat storage. However, extreme calorie restriction is counterproductive; it triggers a 'survival mode' that lowers your basal metabolic rate, potentially turning your body into a constitution that gains weight even with minimal intake.
Many people try extreme fasting, but this often leads to dizziness and decreased productivity. From a modern medical perspective, the body seeks energy homeostasis. When you starve yourself for extended periods, the body drastically reduces its basal metabolic rate to conserve energy, which is the primary mechanism behind the 'yo-yo effect.'
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this state is viewed as 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency). When the function of the Spleen is weakened, the body's ability to transform nutrients into usable energy diminishes. This inefficiency leads to the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid), a type of metabolic waste, and causes blood stasis known as 'Eo-hyeol,' which impedes circulation.
Therefore, focusing solely on calorie counts is less important than ensuring your body is in a state where it can utilize energy efficiently. Reducing calories while the metabolic function is already impaired will only cause the body to resist weight loss more strongly. At Baekrokdam, rather than promoting starvation, we focus on replenishing vital energy (Qi) and clearing metabolic pathways to restore healthy balance.
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