Q. I’ve cut back on food and started exercising, but I’m not losing weight like I used to. Is something wrong with my body?

Hello, I am Director Choi Yeon-seung of Baekrokdam Clinic. I have personally experienced the struggle of extreme dieting that left me dizzy and unable to focus, so I truly understand your frustration. It is highly likely that your difficulty is not a lack of willpower, but a malfunction in your body's 'combustion system.' Medically speaking, frequent dieting can lead to decreased muscle mass and increased insulin resistance, making the 'engine' of your body inefficient at burning fat. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we find the root of this phenomenon in 'Biheo' (Spleen Deficiency). When the Spleen—the core of the digestive system—weakens, it fails to convert nutrients into energy and instead produces a sticky metabolic waste called 'Dameum' (phlegm-rheum). When Dameum accumulates and obstructs the circulation of Qi and Blood, it leads to 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis), which causes a vicious cycle of bloating and weight gain even if you eat very little. This is why at Baekrokdam, we do not simply focus on appetite suppression. Instead, we focus on treating the Spleen deficiency to boost metabolism and discharge waste products like Dameum and Eohyeol from the body. Healthy weight loss begins only after these internal blockages are cleared. I recommend looking for the fundamental reason why your body isn't utilizing energy properly rather than struggling alone.