Q. Do I absolutely have to start with exercise to lose weight? I'm curious about how your clinic approaches this.

Many people view exercise as a 'chore' or a requirement, but in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we first evaluate the body's 'capacity for operation.' Attempting high-intensity workouts without the necessary internal resources can be counterproductive. 1. Assessing Qi and Blood Status: For patients with Spleen Deficiency (脾虛, a state where digestive functions are weak, hindering the generation of energy), intense exercise can lead to illness. We first focus on 'tonifying' (補) the body to replenish energy levels. 2. Resolving Waste and Stagnation: If the body is burdened by Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮, metabolic waste from poor fluid metabolism) or Blood Stasis (瘀血, stagnant blood), you will feel heavy and bloated. In these cases, improving circulation to create a 'light body' takes priority over exercise. 3. Setting Personalized Activity Levels: Once your metabolism begins to revive, we recommend exercise methods tailored to your constitution. We distinguish whether you need a regimen that promotes sweating or one that focuses on gentle walks to circulate Qi. 4. Establishing Sustainable Habits: Ultimately, weight loss is a battle of habits remembered by the brain and body. Rather than an overambitious plan, Baekrokdam’s approach is to find the 'optimal point' that aligns with your daily condition. While exercise is undoubtedly important, doing it in the wrong order can be inefficient or harmful. We recommend accurately understanding your body's current state before starting.