Many patients come to the clinic feeling frustrated because the weight didn't simply 'disappear' after delivery. Through clinical experience, it's clear that pregnancy weight gain isn't just a matter of excess calories. Biologically, the body shifts into an energy-storage mode to protect the fetus. The resulting increase in fat cells and water retention often persists after childbirth, meaning your 'engine' (metabolic rate) has shrunk while your 'load' (body weight) remains heavy. In TKM, we explain this through the concepts of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis). Dam-eum refers to the accumulation of unnecessary fluids and metabolic waste, while Eo-hyeol is a state where blood is not flowing smoothly and has stagnated. When the circulation of Qi and Blood is disrupted during the transition of pregnancy and birth, these waste products act like a sticky residue that blocks metabolism. Furthermore, this is often compounded by 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), a state where the digestive and absorptive organs are weakened after childbirth. When your vital energy is depleted, the body instinctively clings to fat stores for survival. If you attempt to starve yourself out of frustration, you may further deepen this Spleen Deficiency, inadvertently slowing your metabolism even more. The first step toward recovery is assessing your current circulatory state and identifying where the blockages are occurring.