📝 Detailed Answer
When people resolve to diet, they often start by ordering chicken breasts. However, in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), a body that struggles to lose weight is often not just consuming too many calories, but rather suffering from 'internal waste' that blocks circulation. To address this, here are four essential rules:
1. Soothe Spleen Deficiency (Bi-heo) with Warm Meals: The Spleen is the primary digestive organ in TKM and it thrives on warmth. Rather than sticking strictly to cold salads, choosing warm proteins or steamed dishes is much more effective for increasing metabolic efficiency. Remember: fat burns better when the internal environment is warm.
2. Flush out Phlegm-fluid (Dameum) and Blood Stasis (Eohyeol): When metabolic waste fails to circulate, it turns into Phlegm-fluid, and stagnant blood becomes Blood Stasis. These residues cause swelling and hinder weight loss even with reduced food intake. Drinking lukewarm water frequently to discharge toxins is a fundamental step.
3. Promote the Flow of Qi by Chewing Thoroughly: The act of chewing does more than just break down food; it helps the 'Qi' (vital energy) of the food distribute evenly throughout the body. Eating too quickly causes energy to clump together, which easily converts into body fat.
4. Prevent Qi Stagnation (Giche) with a Post-meal Walk: Sitting down immediately after a meal leads to Qi stagnation. Even a 10-minute light walk ensures the smooth circulation of Qi and Blood. If you find it difficult to manage on your own, seeking personalized herbal medicine from a TKM clinic can be a wise and effective strategy.