Q. Can I rely solely on calorie-counting apps for weight loss? What method do you personally recommend?

I once went through a phase of tracking every single calorie in Excel, thinking that hitting the right numbers would lead to instant weight loss. Instead, I felt lightheaded and exhausted, while the scale didn't budge. Calorie counters are helpful for 'objectifying' your intake and identifying hidden snacks or balancing nutrient ratios. However, mechanical numbers cannot account for individual differences in metabolic efficiency. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we explain this through the concept of 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' (Biheo). When the digestive and metabolic functions are weakened, simply reducing calories leads to the accumulation of metabolic waste like 'Phlegm-fluid' (Dameum) and the depletion of 'Qi' (vital energy). This actually shifts the body into a state where it is harder to lose weight. Relying solely on numbers can also remove the joy of eating and lead to stress-induced bingeing. I recommend using calculators only as secondary tools. Your priority should be ensuring your body is ready to burn energy efficiently. By addressing Spleen Deficiency through TKM prescriptions to improve metabolic efficiency, you can reach your goal weight in a much healthier and more sustainable way.