📝 Detailed Answer
When weight loss suddenly stalls, many mistake it for a lack of willpower, but it is actually a signal from your body. Even as a practitioner, I've experienced moments of fatigue and heaviness, learning through trial and error. Here is why weight loss becomes more challenging after 40 from a TKM perspective:
1. Acceleration of Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo): It is common to enter a state of Spleen Deficiency, where the Spleen's function weakens. When digestion and absorption abilities decline, the body cannot use energy efficiently, leading to weight gain.
2. Accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (Dam-eum): Metabolic waste known as Phlegm-Fluid builds up due to poor fluid metabolism. When this obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood, the body swells and feels heavy, further slowing down the metabolism.
3. Circulation Decline due to Blood Stasis (Eo-hyeol): When blood circulation stagnates into a state of Blood Stasis, metabolic efficiency drops sharply. This often manifests as localized fat that is particularly stubborn, especially in the abdomen or lower body.
4. Decline in Vital Energy (Qi) and Metabolic Efficiency: It is not just about burning fewer calories; the overall vital energy of the body decreases, weakening the innate 'power' to burn fat.
Consequently, the restrictive dieting or intense exercise methods used in your 20s can actually damage your body at this stage. The priority now is to identify where your circulation is blocked and which functions have declined. If you visit the clinic, I can provide a precise diagnosis of your current condition.