If your weight seems harder to manage during stressful periods—even when your eating habits haven’t changed much—you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is blaming yourself or assuming you’ve suddenly lost willpower.

If your joints feel stiff, achy, or less comfortable than they used to, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is thinking joint health is only about the joints themselves.

If dieting has left you exhausted, frustrated, or stuck in cycles of restriction and cravings, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is believing weight loss only happens through pressure, punishment, or constant control.

If your body feels achy, puffy, sluggish, or easily irritated lately, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is thinking inflammation only comes from injuries or major illness.

If your energy crashes a few hours after eating—or you constantly need snacks, sugar, or caffeine to get through the day—you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is assuming you simply lack discipline or need to “eat less.”