Q. I tend to gain weight specifically during the change of seasons. If I stick with a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) diet for about a year, will my body actually change?

From the perspective of Traditional Korean Medicine, those who gain weight during seasonal transitions often suffer from 'Dameum' (痰飮, phlegm-fluid retention) and 'Bi-heo' (脾虛, Spleen deficiency). 'Dameum' refers to a state where metabolic waste products are not properly discharged and remain stagnant in the body, while 'Bi-heo' indicates weakened Spleen function, which impairs the body's ability to absorb and transport nutrients. When temperatures fluctuate rapidly, the body consumes significant energy to adapt; if Spleen function is weak, metabolic efficiency drops, leading to increased swelling and weight gain. Because of this, a year-long TKM program does not focus solely on 'eating less.' Instead, prescriptions are tailored to the specific needs of the body across spring, summer, autumn, and winter to realign your internal rhythm. For example, during transition periods when energy dips, we focus on boosting vitality while removing 'Eohyeol' (瘀血, blood stasis) to flush out accumulated waste. By managing the body in accordance with the four seasons, you will eventually notice that you no longer bloat as much during these transitions. This is the process of restoring the body's homeostasis. However, since response speeds vary based on individual constitution and current health status, I recommend visiting the clinic to identify your specific areas of stagnation and develop a personalized, season-specific strategy.