📝 Detailed Answer
I once rushed into fasting with only enthusiasm, and ended up feeling so dizzy that I couldn't function normally. Having experienced that 'wasted effort,' I truly understand my patients' feelings. Eating less doesn't guarantee weight loss.
So I categorize cases carefully. First, those with unusually strong cravings and heart palpitations. This indicates qi surging upward, so I first prescribe something to calm it down. Second, those who swell easily and feel heavy all over. In TKM this is called phlegm-fluid—essentially, stagnant waste products accumulated in the body. This must be resolved first to boost metabolism.
Third, those with weak digestion and energy that plummets after even one skipped meal. This is spleen deficiency, where spleen function is weakened. If such individuals forcibly restrict their diet, their body will suffer before any weight loss occurs, so I strengthen energy while raising metabolism.
Lastly, blood stasis—stagnant blood causing severe lower body edema or pain—requires attention. Ultimately, dieting is about rebalancing your body. Non-face-to-face doesn't mean simply sending medicine; through consultation, I first identify which of these three patterns you're closest to—that's the most important step.