Q. I travel often for business and eat out frequently. Is it still possible to maintain a diet in this kind of environment?

Many of our patients struggle with the same issue; eating irregular meals while working often leads to a heavy, bloated feeling and general fatigue. In such cases, starving yourself often leads to binge eating due to a psychological 'reward' mechanism. During the first 1 to 2 weeks, we focus on resolving 'Dameum' (痰飮)—the accumulation of metabolic waste and phlegm that causes stagnation in the body. Even when eating out, it is helpful to slightly reduce your portion sizes and develop a habit of drinking warm water frequently. From the 3rd to 4th week, we move toward improving your overall constitution. Specifically, those with 'Bi-heo' (脾虛), or a deficiency in the Spleen system, often suffer from poor digestion, which leads to bloating and easy weight gain after eating out. We use customized herbal medicine to support digestive function and suppress 'false hunger,' training your body to avoid overeating during social gatherings. After the first month, you enter the 'Maintenance Phase.' By this stage, you will have developed the intuition to choose menus that suit your body type. By clearing 'Eohyeol' (瘀血)—blood stasis or debris that hinders circulation—we improve your metabolic efficiency, meaning your body will no longer react so sensitively to the occasional rich meal. Ultimately, dieting is not a matter of willpower, but a matter of 'environment' and 'body condition.' At Baekrokdam, we invite you to find that optimal balance tailored to your specific lifestyle.