Q. I was losing weight, but it suddenly stopped. How can I tell if I've hit a plateau?

A weight loss plateau is actually an 'adaptation period' where the body activates a defense mechanism to conserve energy in response to sudden changes. From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this often occurs when the circulation of Qi and Blood is stagnant, leading to the accumulation of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention) or 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis), which lowers metabolic efficiency. Imagine it as residue clogging an engine; no matter how high-quality the fuel (diet) is, the engine cannot run efficiently. Specifically, those with 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency), where the digestive and transformative functions of the Spleen are weakened, may lack the innate energy to drive metabolism, making the plateau feel longer. If you force yourself to further restrict calories during this phase, your body will lower its basal metabolic rate even further to survive, which often leads to the 'yo-yo effect.' What you need now is not extreme fasting, but clearing the blocked pathways of circulation. It is essential to identify why your body has pressed the 'stop button' and use appropriate TKM prescriptions to flip the metabolic switch back on. Rather than stressing alone, I recommend a professional diagnosis to determine your current physiological state.