It can be incredibly frustrating when you put in the effort and sweat, yet your lower body remains unchanged. Many people experience this where specific areas don't lean out, and in some cases, the calves even seem to get thicker despite exercise.

In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this condition is viewed not simply as a matter of fat, but as a stagnation of Qi and blood circulation. When Damjeok (phlegm-accumulation)—waste products that have hardened in the lower body—or Eohyeol (blood stasis)—resulting from poor circulation—accumulate in the lower extremities, exercise alone often reaches a limit in effectiveness.

• Poor Circulation: If the upper body is warm but the lower body is cold, circulation is blocked, leading to the accumulation of waste.
• Fluid Retention: A state of Bi-heo (Spleen Deficiency), where the Spleen's function is weakened, impairs fluid metabolism, causing the lower body to swell easily.
• Muscle Tension: Pelvic imbalance or muscle knots can obstruct blood flow, lowering the metabolic rate in specific areas.