I'm exhausted from using calorie trackers to manage my diet. What weight loss approach do you recommend, Doctor?
Don't be overly fixated on numbers. The human body does not always function like a simple mathematical formula. Instead of forcing calorie deficits, prioritize a constitution-based approach to restore metabolic function. Rather than starving yourself and losing energy, create an environment where your body can burn energy efficiently to maintain health long-term.
I understand how draining calorie counting can be; obsessing over numbers often turns eating into a stressor, triggering 'false hunger.' In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we view this through the lens of Spleen Deficiency (Biheo). When Spleen function is impaired, nutrients are not properly converted into energy but instead turn into metabolic waste called Phlegm-fluid (Dameum), which causes heaviness and bloating. To lose weight effectively, we must clear this Phlegm-fluid and improve the circulation of Qi and Blood. We also examine whether Blood Stasis (Eohyeol) is slowing your metabolism. A sustainable diet depends on your unique constitution (Chejil)—some individuals require appetite suppression, while others need to focus on edema (swelling) management. By identifying your specific body type and 'switching on' your metabolic switch, we can achieve results that last without the exhaustion of constant calculation.
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