Q. I keep experiencing yo-yo dieting despite trying to lose weight. How can I prevent the rebound?

Repeated yo-yo dieting often stems from drastic food restriction or excessive exercise. The body, perceiving energy shortage, burns muscle before fat and lowers basal metabolic rate. When normal eating resumes, the body stores extra reserves in fear of future deprivation. In Korean Medicine, this process involves Spleen Deficiency (脾虚), Phlegm Retention (痰飮), and Blood Stasis (瘀血). The Spleen transforms food into Qi and Blood; dieting stress weakens it, disrupting fluid metabolism and generating Damp-Phlegm, causing heaviness, edema, and stubborn fat. Blood Stasis further impairs circulation, locking the body into a weight-gain-prone state. Our clinic uses a phased approach: Phase 1 (weeks 1–2) focuses on clearing accumulated Damp-Phlegm and reducing bloating, aiming to stabilize the body rather than achieve rapid weight loss. Phase 2 (weeks 3–8) restores Spleen-Stomach function using Spleen-tonifying herbs (e.g., Bobi-tang) and regular meal timing, gradually raising basal metabolism so patients feel less hungry with the same intake. Phase 3 (weeks 9–12) transforms the constitution by improving Qi and Blood circulation through herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion, resolving Blood Stasis and helping the body self-regulate to prevent rebound. Individual constitution and lifestyle vary, so a precise diagnosis is essential; however, stepwise adaptation and patience can successfully break the yo-yo cycle.