Q. You mentioned that a two-week adaptation period is necessary when starting a diet. What exactly is this, and why is this period so important?

Many people try extreme fasting, but this often leads to severe lethargy and dizziness because the body perceives sudden calorie restriction or medication as an emergency state. From a modern medical perspective, this is a transitional phase moving toward 'ketosis,' where the body shifts its primary energy source from glucose to fat. During this switch, the brain may send strong hunger signals, and you may experience temporary fatigue. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this in connection with 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛, Pi-heo). When the Spleen function is weak, the transport and absorption of nutrients are impaired, leading to easy exhaustion. If there is a high accumulation of 'Phlegm-Fluid' (痰飮, Dam-eum)—a state where metabolic waste is stagnated—the metabolic rate slows down, making the initial adaptation more challenging. Therefore, the first two weeks are not meant for aggressive weight loss, but rather for clearing 'Blood Stasis' (瘀血, Eo-hyeol) and toxins to build a foundation for a 'body that loses weight easily.' Once you overcome this initial hurdle, your body will feel significantly lighter. Since metabolic rates vary by individual, I recommend working closely with me to monitor your condition and adjust the treatment accordingly.