Q. Doctor, why do I keep hitting a weight loss plateau? Why has my weight stopped dropping?

I completely understand your frustration; I've actually been there myself, trying to lose weight through extreme fasting, only to feel stuck and overwhelmed when the progress suddenly stopped. From a medical perspective, the human body has a powerful survival instinct. When food intake drops abruptly, the brain triggers an 'emergency state' and significantly lowers the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to save energy. Since your energy expenditure decreases alongside your intake, a plateau is inevitable. In TKM, this state is interpreted as a blockage in the circulation of Qi and Blood, leading to the accumulation of Dam-eum (phlegm-fluid) and Eo-hyeol (blood stasis). Dam-eum refers to metabolic waste that has become viscous and clumped, while Eo-hyeol refers to stagnant or turbid blood. When these 'metabolic wastes' accumulate and block your pathways, your metabolic efficiency plummets regardless of how little you eat. This is further exacerbated if you have 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), where the digestive system is weak. When Spleen function is impaired, the transport and transformation of nutrients are hindered, leaving you feeling physically heavy and lethargic despite the lack of food. Simply eating less is not the answer. It is essential to clear these internal blockages and 'flip the switch' on your metabolism. The first step is to accurately diagnose your body's current state, and I am here to help you navigate that process.