I've heard that exercise is a must for losing weight. What exactly is the role of exercise in weight loss?
Exercise is about more than just burning calories. It works as a chain reaction: increasing energy expenditure, maintaining the basal metabolic rate, and improving insulin sensitivity. By preserving muscle mass, you prevent the 'yo-yo effect' where the body enters emergency mode and stores fat during caloric deficits. Essentially, exercise is a process of normalizing your body's metabolic system rather than just a tool for trimming fat.
In the past, I once tried to run blindly with too much enthusiasm and ended up injuring my knees; it was quite a dizzying experience! (laughs). The core of exercise is managing the body's 'fuel efficiency.'
From a modern medical perspective, exercise rapidly consumes blood glucose, which lowers insulin resistance. When blood sugar stabilizes, the body can more easily switch from 'fat-storage mode' to 'fat-burning mode.'
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this through the lens of 'Qi and Blood circulation (氣血循環).' We refer to the state where metabolic waste accumulates and obstructs flow as 'phlegm-fluid (痰飮)' or 'blood stasis (瘀血).' Exercise awakens this stagnant energy and promotes systemic circulation.
However, for those with 'Spleen Deficiency (脾虛)'—a state where digestive functions are weak—excessive exercise can actually backfire by depleting their vital energy. When the Spleen function is compromised, the body struggles with nutrient absorption and energy conversion.
Therefore, simply breaking a sweat is not always the answer. It is crucial to adjust the intensity based on your current physiological state. I believe an efficient diet begins by first assessing your body's circulatory status and finding the appropriate level of movement to match.
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