BRD Clinic
Only people currently living in Korea with their own Korean 010 mobile number can apply. Overseas residents are not eligible.

I run hard on the treadmill but still can't lose weight. Is there a proper way to do it?

✓ Duration and rhythm matter more than intensity. If you're too out of breath to speak, your body burns carbs before fat. ✓ Exercising 30–60 minutes after a meal is safer and more effective than working out on an empty stomach in the morning. ✓ To see adaptation, aim for at least 4 sessions per week, each lasting 40 minutes or more. ✓ Most importantly—exercise alone has limits. Depending on your constitution and digestive function, fat loss can be stubborn.

If you push yourself on the treadmill but see no results—I've been there too. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the issue isn't simply insufficient exercise; it's how your body uses energy. Common patterns include Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾虛) or accumulated Phlegm-Fluid Retention (痰飮), where muscles burn water or waste instead of fat. This means running harder may leave body fat unchanged while straining your joints. First, check your exercise approach: ✓ Intensity: If you can't hold a short conversation, you're burning blood sugar first. For fat burning, maintain a 'talkable' intensity—slightly breathless but able to exchange brief sentences. ✓ Timing: Fasted exercise can worsen Spleen Qi Deficiency in those with weak digestion. Starting 30–60 minutes after a meal supports digestion and fat oxidation. ✓ Frequency & Duration: Short sessions under 20 minutes burn minimal fat. You need at least 40 minutes per session, 4+ times weekly, for your body to adapt and improve fat mobilization. ✓ Don't rely only on cardio: Strength training raises basal metabolic rate and prevents rebound weight gain. From a TKM perspective, you need to supplement Qi (氣) while dissolving fat. For example, if Spleen Qi Deficiency has weakened your muscles, treatments like Qi-tonifying herbs or acupuncture can build a foundation first, making exercise more effective. Rather than blindly sticking to the treadmill, identifying why you're not losing weight is the faster path. In our clinic, we assess your constitution and digestion to provide personalized exercise guidance. Don't waste effort spinning your wheels alone.

Meet the clinician

Dr. Yeonseung Choe

Dr. Yeonseung ChoeChief Director

View clinician profile

Clinician review

Page summary and review information

Page summary

I run hard on the treadmill but still can't lose…. ✓ Duration and rhythm matter more than intensity. If you're too out of breath to speak, your body burns carbs

A reviewed summary isn't ready yet, so the page description or a general note is shown instead.

The clinic is outside telephone hours

You can leave your inquiry now.

Leave an inquiry Call anyway