Q. I've been sticking to chicken breast and diet meal kits to control my diet, but why am I not seeing any results?

Many patients come to me wondering why they aren't losing weight despite eating very little. I can relate; during my student days, I tried living on salads alone, only to feel so dizzy I nearly collapsed. It was a misguided approach. From a TKM perspective, the reason people respond differently to the same diet is due to differences in 'metabolic efficiency.' I recommend approaching your weight loss through the following steps: 1. Check for 'Dameum' (Phlegm-Fluid Retention): Dameum refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluids and metabolic waste in the body. When this is excessive, metabolism slows down, causing the body to feel heavy and bloated even with low caloric intake. 2. Improve 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency): Bi-heo is a state where the function of the Spleen (responsible for digestion and nutrient transport) is weakened. If digestive absorption is impaired, the body cannot utilize nutrients and instead accumulates toxins, leading to a constitution that gains weight easily. 3. Promote circulation by removing 'Eohyeol' (Blood Stasis): When blood circulation is poor and stagnant blood (Eohyeol) accumulates, energy expenditure decreases. Resolving this stasis is essential for dietary changes to be effective. 4. Balance energy supplementation and excretion: Rather than mindless fasting, it is crucial to create a rhythm of replenishing necessary energy while pushing out unnecessary waste. Ultimately, the key is not just 'what you eat,' but 'how your body processes it.' The most efficient method is to first identify where the stagnation is occurring in your body.