I'm dieting, but why do I keep hitting a plateau? What exactly is the reason my weight isn't dropping anymore?
Our bodies have a mechanism called 'homeostasis' that strives to maintain its current state. When you suddenly restrict calories, the body perceives this as a crisis, lowering energy expenditure and switching to a storage mode. This creates a cycle of [rapid restriction → decreased metabolic rate → weight plateau]. From a TKM perspective, this is a state of stagnant Qi, meaning simply eating less will not resolve the issue.
Many people experience a pattern where weight drops quickly at first and then completely stalls, often accompanied by fatigue and frustration. This is due to the body's defense mechanism: your basal metabolic rate drops, turning your body into an 'efficient machine' that preserves energy even when you eat very little. This is especially common after extreme dieting or using certain pharmaceutical weight-loss aids.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is explained through the concepts of 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency). 'Dameum' refers to a state where metabolic waste products are not properly excreted and instead accumulate as a sticky substance in the body. When this is coupled with 'Bi-heo'—a weakened Spleen function—the body's ability to convert nutrients into energy diminishes, leading to a heavy feeling in the body and a weight loss plateau.
The solution is not further starvation. The key is to clear 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis/stagnant blood) and 'Dameum' to restore systemic circulation. By 'flipping the metabolic switch' back on, your body can resume burning energy efficiently. I recommend visiting our clinic for a personalized consultation to determine the exact cause of your plateau and restore your metabolic balance.
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