Q. I've been sticking to my diet and exercise routine, but why have I suddenly hit a weight loss plateau?

It can be incredibly frustrating when the numbers on the scale stop moving despite your best efforts. Many people mistakenly respond by starving themselves or over-exercising, which can actually be counterproductive. Medically, your body has a strong tendency to maintain its current state. When you lose weight quickly, the body enters an 'emergency mode' and maximizes efficiency so it can survive on fewer calories. Consequently, even if you eat and move as you did before, your total energy expenditure decreases, leading to a plateau. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), we analyze this through the lens of 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Eo-hyeol' (blood stasis). Dam-eum refers to the accumulation of unnecessary fluids and metabolic waste, while Eo-hyeol is the stagnation of blood flow. When these wastes block metabolic pathways—much like a traffic jam on a highway—weight loss slows down regardless of how strict your diet is. This is especially pronounced in cases of 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency), where the digestive system's function is impaired. A weak Spleen prevents the body from utilizing energy efficiently, leaving behind more metabolic debris. A plateau is not a failure, but a natural process of your body adapting to its new weight. Rather than extreme fasting, the most effective way to break through is to 'flip the metabolic switch' back on using acupuncture or herbal medicine to clear the blocked circulation. Please feel free to visit the clinic so we can assess your current state together.