Have you ever felt a bit down and sought comfort in a snack? If so, you're not alone. Many people turn to food when they feel anxious, upset, lonely, or some other emotion. In fact, 58% of Americans report gaining weight thanks to stress-related eating. Almost everyone eats for emotional reasons, at least sometimes.

Ever found yourself halfway through a bag of chips and thought, Wait … I wasn't even hungry? Yup, been there. This kind of mindless snacking sneaks in, not because our body needs fuel, but because we're bored, stressed, or just passing the kitchen too many times, seeing the cookie jar gleaming from the countertop.

Particularly when you're new to fasting, hunger can feel like a scary monster lurking in the shadows. Maybe it follows you everywhere; maybe it just jumps out at certain times. However you feel hunger, it's totally normal — anytime you change your eating schedule, it will take your body some time to adapt.

We've all been there: that day when you put on your pants and … ouch. The waistband is scrunching your stomach. The elastic isn't elastic-ing quite enough. Or the belt holes seem to have suddenly shifted in the wrong direction. Whatever the reason, you might have had at least one encounter with clothing waistbands that made you think: could I change my belly shape and size?

Thanks to common marketing ploys and promotions like Margarita Monday, Boozeday Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, and Thirsty Thursday, it can feel like there's a fun (often alliterative) reason to raise a toast daily. Not to mention those happy hour deals … But what seems like a fun and relaxing opportunity to catch up with friends, enjoy a cozy date night out, or snag your favorite drink at a steep discount can feel like a minefield when you're intermittent fasting.

Cholesterol is a substance that our body makes naturally. We need some of it for good health and function. But when it gets out of whack, it puts us at risk of health problems. Almost 2 in 5 adults in the United States have high cholesterol, and high cholesterol doesn't have any symptoms.

Possibly the only thing worse than getting that urge — the one that has you clutching at your stomach and running for the bathroom at an inopportune time — is when that urge hasn't come knocking for days, and you feel like your gut is a tight, uncomfortable coil that won't unwind. Since modifications to what and when you eat can affect your bowel movements, it's natural to be nervous that a new eating routine could also mean a new bathroom routine.

Intermittent fasting is gaining some serious momentum. 24% of Americans say they've tried it for weight loss and other potential health benefits. Research shows a link between intermittent fasting and weight loss, heart health, and insulin sensitivity. However, as with any new eating pattern, consider the big picture before deciding if it's right for you.

If you're looking for a way to get swole, intermittent fasting may not be your first choice. It's not necessarily the most obvious nutrition method for building muscle mass. But it can be effective if you use it right. Curious? Let's dive into the ins and outs of intermittent fasting and muscle gain.

When you're weighing up a new weight loss or wellness strategy, you need to think through the cons as well as the pros. Here's a quick 'n easy shortcut: If one of the cons of whatever you're considering turns out to be muscle loss, run away. Our bodies need muscle. Without it, disease risk and dysfunction go up, and health and performance go down.