Q. I'm dieting while tracking my numbers with a body fat calculator. What approach do you recommend at a Korean medicine clinic?

I completely understand the feeling of having your mood swing based on a single number. When you focus only on the figures and feel anxious about why the weight isn't dropping, it can lead to mental stress and unsustainable, extreme dieting—something I've experienced myself in my younger days. Tools like calculators or InBody scans have clear advantages: they provide an objective snapshot and visual motivation. However, they have significant drawbacks. They can fluctuate based on hydration and daily condition, and more importantly, focusing solely on the 'result' can make you ignore the subtle signals your body is sending. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we don't just aim to lower the body fat percentage; we examine the 'environment' that caused the fat to accumulate. For example, if there is Eohyeol (瘀血, blood stasis) caused by poor circulation or Dameum (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention), your body may become resistant to weight loss even with a caloric deficit. Similarly, if you have Biheo (脾虛, Spleen deficiency/weak digestive function), reckless fasting can lead to muscle loss and a high likelihood of the yo-yo effect. In conclusion, I suggest using these numbers only as a reference and instead focusing on 'how to improve my body's metabolic capacity.' The answer is different for everyone. I would like to help you determine the best approach based on your unique constitution and current condition. Please feel free to visit the clinic for a consultation.