My body fat percentage is 26%. What exactly does this mean, and why is it important for dieting?
Body fat percentage refers to the proportion of fat relative to your total body weight. Rather than focusing on raw weight, it analyzes your 'body composition.' A higher body fat percentage often leads to a lower basal metabolic rate, meaning your body becomes more prone to gaining weight even with the same food intake, which ultimately reduces overall dieting efficiency.
Many people experience a plateau where their weight drops but their body fat percentage remains the same, leaving them unsatisfied with their actual appearance. Medically, a high body fat percentage indicates that your fat-to-muscle ratio is skewed. Since muscles act as the 'engines' that burn energy, having fewer muscles and more fat 'storage' inevitably slows down your metabolism, making weight loss increasingly difficult.
In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this condition is viewed through the lens of 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency). 'Dameum' refers to the accumulation of metabolic waste and stagnant fluids in the body, while 'Bi-heo' describes a weakened Spleen function that fails to efficiently convert nutrients into energy.
Therefore, rather than simply restricting calories, it is more effective to first remove these stagnant wastes and restore Spleen function to create a body that utilizes energy efficiently. This approach allows for a sustainable and healthy constitutional change. I recommend we examine your body's current circulatory state to develop a more tailored plan.
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