Q. Doctor, I'm sticking to my diet strictly, so why am I not losing any weight? I'd like to know the reason.

To be honest, I tried fasting blindly in my youth; while the number on the scale went down, the areas I wanted to lose didn't change, and I felt completely drained. Having been through that struggle, I truly understand your frustration. Our bodies have a strong survival instinct. When you suddenly reduce your caloric intake, the body perceives it as an 'emergency' and flips the metabolic switch off to conserve energy. This leads to the accumulation of metabolic waste, which in TKM is called 'Dameum' (phlegm-fluid retention)—a state where waste products stagnate and obstruct circulation. If this is coupled with 'Eohyeol' (blood stasis), where blood circulation is hindered, the fuel necessary to burn fat cannot be delivered effectively. It is similar to a logistics breakdown caused by a massive traffic jam on a highway. It is even more challenging if you are in a state of 'Bi-heo' (Spleen deficiency), where the digestive and absorptive capacity is weakened. In this state, your body fails to absorb nutrients while toxins accumulate, leaving you feeling bloated and heavy despite eating less. Ultimately, the solution is not blind fasting, but rather a process of clearing these blockages and flipping the metabolic switch back on. I suggest we examine together which parts of your body's circulation are blocked to find the right solution for you.