Q. I keep gaining and losing weight in a yo-yo cycle. How can I break out of this pattern?

The fundamental cause of repeated yo-yo dieting is not purely caloric but stems from instability in the body’s energy metabolism and regulatory functions. In Traditional Korean Medicine, this involves a complex interplay of factors such as spleen deficiency (pi xu), qi deficiency (qi xu), liver qi stagnation (gan qi yu jie), and phlegm-fluid retention (tan yin). For example, excessive dieting weakens the spleen (pi), impairing its ability to transform and transport food—leading to poor digestion and a tendency to gain weight instead of lose it. Qi deficiency lowers basal metabolism, making weight loss difficult even with reduced food intake. Liver qi stagnation affects stress hormones, triggering binge eating. Repeated consumption of cold or greasy foods exacerbates phlegm-fluid buildup, worsening metabolic disorders and edema. Without correcting these imbalances, yo-yo cycles are inevitable. If the checklist above resonates strongly, a Korean medicine diagnosis should first identify individual patterns—such as spleen deficiency, qi deficiency, or phlegm-fluid—rather than just changing the diet. This approach restores the body’s qi and circulation, creating a foundation for sustainable weight management without relapse.