Hello, I am Choi Yeon-seung, Director of Baekrokdam Oriental Medicine Clinic. I often hear patients say, "Before pregnancy, I could lose weight just by skipping a meal, but now I feel bloated even after drinking water." I truly empathize with that frustration because I’ve also experienced the struggle of trying to lose weight while ignoring the body's internal balance. From a Western medical perspective, excessive weight gain during pregnancy can lead to 'insulin resistance,' where cells become less responsive to insulin. This keeps your body in a 'storage mode' rather than a 'burning mode' even after childbirth, much like a car with poor fuel efficiency. Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) explains this through three stages. First, the process of childbirth creates 'Eohyeol' (Blood Stasis), which are metabolic byproducts that block the flow of Qi. This lead to 'Biheo' (Spleen Deficiency), where the organs responsible for digestion and metabolism weaken. Without sufficient Spleen Qi, nutrients aren't converted into energy but instead become 'Dameum' (Phlegm-fluid), a sticky waste product that settles in the body. Ultimately, the cycle of 'Blood Stasis → Spleen Deficiency → Phlegm-fluid' causes chronic swelling and stubborn fat. In this state, starving yourself is actually harmful because it further depletes your Spleen function. The key is to first clear out the internal waste and reactivate your metabolic 'switch.' Instead of stressing alone, let’s focus on restoring your body’s natural circulation system together.