Q. What exactly does a 28% body fat percentage mean for a woman? I’m curious why it feels so much harder for me to lose weight than others.

A 28% body fat level is a clinical signal that your body's 'fuel efficiency' has declined. Under normal conditions, muscle tissue should actively consume energy, but as fat accumulates, the hormone insulin fails to function effectively, causing the body to prioritize storing fat over burning it. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we interpret this through the concepts of Biheo (Spleen Deficiency) and Dameum (Phlegm-fluid). When the Spleen system—responsible for digestion and transformation—is weakened (Biheo), it fails to convert food into vital energy and instead leaves behind metabolic residues. These residues accumulate as toxins called Dameum, which obstruct the circulation of Gi and Blood, leading to symptoms like bloating or edema and creating a cycle where fat burning becomes increasingly difficult. Furthermore, if you suffer from severe menstrual cramps or cold extremities, it often points to Eohyeol (Blood Stasis), where stagnant blood further hinders metabolic flow. This is precisely why simply 'eating less' often doesn't work. To break this cycle, you must clear the internal waste and 'reset' your metabolic switch. Rather than struggling with restrictive dieting alone, I recommend a professional assessment to identify and resolve these underlying circulatory blockages.