Q. Doctor, today is 'International No Diet Day,' and for some reason, it's making me even hungrier. What healthy weight management methods do you recommend that don't involve starving myself?

I have also experienced the struggle of trying to lose weight through starvation, only to end up dizzy and unable to focus by the afternoon. Those experiences taught me that blind endurance is not the solution. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we analyze the internal environment that hinders weight loss through three main lenses. First is the accumulation of Phlegm-fluid (痰飮), where metabolic waste stays trapped in the body, leading to heaviness and chronic edema. Second is Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾虛); if the Spleen's digestive function is weak, the metabolic 'fire' needed to burn energy is diminished, causing one to gain weight easily even with low intake. Lastly, Blood Stasis (瘀血) obstructs circulation and acts as a primary culprit in slowing down metabolism. The strength of TKM lies in treating these fundamental causes. By replenishing depleted Qi (vital energy), patients experience less of the lethargy typical of dieting, and the body feels lighter as swelling subsides. However, there are clear boundaries; we do not forcefully manipulate brain signals like Western pharmaceuticals such as Wegovy. Therefore, visible changes may take longer to appear and require the patient's commitment to lifestyle modifications in diet and exercise. Rather than promising a 'magic pill,' I recommend a harmonious process of filling what is deficient and draining what is excessive according to your constitution. Instead of stressing yourself by starving today, why don't we look for the reasons your body feels heavy and address them together?