Alexis Jones

Intermittent fasting can be super restrictive and centers around eating and fasting periods where you can only eat during specific windows of time. Depending on the kind of plan you pick (think: <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a21729470/16-8-diet/" id="c961614d-b9a1-35dc-ac58-d722f6d3053f"> 16:8 </a> versus the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/food/healthy-eating/a702293/the-five-two-diet/" id="48214e17-c849-3d7c-a49c-312b8133cfe9"> 5:2 diet </a> ), you might have to go hours without food all morning or start pushing lunch back to 4 p.m.

Not to mention, the whole fasting aspect brings up a lot of questions about what you can eat and when. Luckily, must-haves like <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a31139087/intermittent-fasting-water/" id="31995db1-1055-3aad-aafc-05c449ec3c42"> water </a> (and <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28984183/intermittent-fasting-coffee/" id="29399e94-3288-34d6-a021-72675b3dea20"> coffee </a> !), for example, are fine to drink. But alcohol is a whole other animal when it comes to weight loss.

First, drinking on a fasting stomacha.k.a. an empty oneis *never* a good idea. And sipping your go-to cocktails too often can impede weight loss in general, disrupt your sleep cycle, and make it more difficult to stick to your overall fasting plan.

That all being said, though, there *are* RD-approved ways to fit in booze if you do IF. Here's everything you need to know about drinking alcohol while doing intermittent fasting.

<h1> Can I drink alcohol while doing IFyes or no? </h1>

The simple answer is yes. "You can drink if you want to drink," says <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vanessarissettord/?hl=en" id="434e1963-7177-349e-a1b2-bf3292fa5f8d"> Vanessa Rissetto, RD </a> and co-founder of Culina Health. Let's say you're on the 16:8 diet and have fasted from 8 p.m. to noon the next day and want to have a glass of wine with dinnerdrinking during your eating window won't negatively impact your fasting state or anything, as long as you're drinking in moderation.

But drinking in general when youre trying to lose weight can sometimes hinder weight loss. And drinking while intermittent fasting can also present it's own set of challenges when it comes to losing weight, considering you have to factor in when you're eating and when you're not.

<h1> When is the best time to drink alcohol while on an intermittent fasting diet? </h1>

During your eating window, of course. Drinking alcohol during your fasting window A) would be unhealthy and unsafe with no food in your system and B) would break your fasting state. Make sure to drink during you're eating window, and stay hydrated.

In terms of when you should eat food and when you should imbibe? "You should eat first and then wait an hour or so for your body to digest the food, and then start drinking alcohol," Rissetto recommends. This way, what you eat doesn't get stored as fat when the body has to break down the alcohol to be filtered away from the bloodstream.

Another pro tip: Rissetto recommends drinking with at least three or fours hours before bed. Why? Because when you drink, your body doesn't go into REM, a deep stage of sleep, Rissetto says. Without it, you won't get the restful and restorative sleep you need. And again, your body won't be able to do its jobs properly. By allowing yourself time between drinking and sleeping hours, your body will have more time to metabolize the alcohol, and you'll still get in your beauty rest (and weight loss!).

<h1> How does drinking alcohol impact weight loss in general? </h1>

The issue is mainly about metabolism. When you drink alcohol, your body sees it as a toxin and needs to break down the alcohol so that it can be filtered out of the bloodstream and your bod, Rissetto explains. But in doing so, what you eat gets stored as fat. "The body has to sacrifice all metabolic process in order to metabolize alcohol," Rissetto says.

Drinking during your eating window won\'t negatively impact your fasting state, as long as you\'re drinking in moderation.

Plus, you can't forget about the extra calories that alcohol brings to the table. The average beer is 153 calories, white wine has 125 calories, and a margarita has 168 calories, according to the <a href="https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/calculators/calorie-calculator.aspx" id="d6fa07fd-fd3e-3bd7-a9e1-5800174c951e"> National Institutes of Health </a> . A great way to cut down on drinking cals: Choose your drinks wisely. Drinking spirits paired with zero- to no-calorie mixers is better than drinking wine, sugary mixed drinks, or beer.

But that's why many people choose to opt out of drinking altogether while intermittent fasting for weight-loss reasons (or following any diet plan)it can be hard to stick to your daily calorie intake and your healthy eating plan. Ultimately, moderation is key.

<h1> How many drinks are okay per week if I'm doing IF? </h1>

You can get away with two drinks or three week and still lose weight, according to Rissetto. But you'll want to avoid any more drinks than that, she says.

Why? Because the more people drink, the looser they tend to get with their fasting and weight-loss goals. "When you're drinking, you're eating whatever, things don't count, and it's harder to stick to [dietary] restrictions," Rissetto says.

The bottom line : It's generally okay to drink alcohol (in moderation) during eating hours if you do intermittent fasting. But know that drinking alcohol in general may make it harder to lose weight.

Can You Drink Alcohol While Intermittent Fasting?

If it seems like everyone and their mother is doing <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a28563472/intermittent-fasting-diet/" id="a697b537-d258-3816-a839-f93e2ebcff5d"> intermittent fasting </a> (IF) , you're not wrong. It was the most-searched diet term of 2019, <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/yis/2019/US/" id="55b74829-cc1e-35b8-a06f-f1b8539743a6"> according to a trend report from Google </a> . But before you start your own fasting plan, there's a few things for...

Drinking Alcohol While Doing Intermittent Fasting...Yes Or No?

The low-carb, high-fat eating plan had been touted as a successful weight loss method <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/g16641173/keto-diet-celebrities/" id="a9c6f7f2-23ab-3760-af0c-95c7eb277698"> by celebrities </a> like Halle Berry, Kourtney Kardashian and Vanessa Hudgens. What is keto was even the second top searched health question on Google last year.

Like the product of any echo chamber, Maurishire quickly became convinced that she should join the masses. I have always wanted to lose weight and for as long as I can remember I've always had no idea how to do that," she told Women's Health. The keto diet seemed like a great way for Maurishire to finally take control of her eating habits. It provided strict guidelines that left little room for deviation and had a widely-known reputation for rapid fat loss. But one year later, Maurishire is among the many ex-keto dieters to express dissent for the highly restrictive eating plan.

A typical ketogenic diet focuses on cutting down carbs and upping your fat intake to force your body to use fat as a form of energy, says <a href="http://keatleymnt.com/" id="ee297df3-cb27-3a82-ae60-01cdc05ba2ed"> Scott Keatley, RD </a> , of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy. The eating plan usually looks something like this: 60 to 75 percent of your calories from fat, 15 to 30 percent of your calories from protein, and 5 to 10 percent of your calories from carbs. This means you're eating no more than 50 grams of carbs a day, but many people drop down to as little as 20 grams.

Within the first week of being on the low-carb diet, your body will be operating on such little sugar, that it has to start gobbling up fat for energy instead, Keatley explains.

For many people this leads to dramatic fat and weight loss (and good for them!). But other dieters and experts warn that the keto diet is simply not sustainable long term and is often accompanied by some not-so-fun side effects (think: sluggishness, brain fog, low energy, and more).

So, is the keto diet really a good idea? Well, that depends.

<h1> You could end up yo-yo dieting. </h1>

Jenna Jameson, once one of keto's biggest fans, recently opened up about the challenges of the diet. She began keto in April 2018 and reportedly lost 80 pounds. But by late 2019, she'd suddenly stopped posting about her results. I decided to take a break from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/keto/" id="65b88078-f0f6-329f-a95d-80a03419c16e"> #keto </a> and live my best carby life, she wrote in an Instagram post, admitting to her followers that she had gained 20 pounds. The weight came back fast and furious. I know a lot of people are quitting keto because its hard to maintain, and after a year and a half I concur. Not sure if Im going to go back full force or just calorie count, Jenna wrote.

Since then, the model's re-upped the diet, though she's been candid about the fact that it's been harder to stick to it the second time around. This kind of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a19896749/why-do-people-yo-yo-diet/" id="2537bbe1-069a-340f-a1e1-72bb66e50ec8"> yo-yo dieting </a> is common among people on super restrictive eating plans, according to <a href="https://thenutritionsuite.com/about" id="7b85e579-4d41-354a-a02d-94667ae01438"> Julianna Shalek, RD, of The Nutrition Suite </a> . And when you do slip up, you'll likely regain weight quickly. "When we restrict and then we have a bite of bread, its going to cause fat storage more easily," Shalek says. "Ill have people that lost 12 to 15 pounds initially and then when they started incorporating those carbs, they gained that back plus some."

<h1> Having super low energy is a common side effect. </h1>

Carolynn Tulluck, 29, found the low-carb diet to be completely draining. The blogger from Seattle, Washington started keto in January 2017. Her goal was to stick to a 20 gram-per-day carb intake in hopes of losing the 25 pounds she'd recently gained.

Carolynn lost 15 pounds in the first month alone, but found that by April she hit a plateau and was experiencing massive fatigue and seriously low energy during her workouts. She couldn't keep up with her usual cardio or weight lifting and decided to pause on keto for a while. But she restarted her diet a year later after regaining the weight, only to find herself in desperate need of a carb fix one day and downing a honey stick just to jumpstart her energy levels. And that's when she realized keto was not sustainable.

Keatley says low energy is a common side effect of the diet. And many of his clients complain of feeling tired and sluggish. "Youre not burning that sugar quickly any more. Instead, you have to wait for that fat to be broken down to conserve energy," Keatley explains.

Most people adjust to the low energy levels, but Carolynn found that she couldn't. Now she considers herself a flexitarian, eating red meat on occasion, but focusing on plant-based and vegetarian meals as much as possible. "I feel so much better, even just in the stress of not having to count carbs so religiously," she says. "I'm spending less time focusing on the macro breakdown and just trying to eat as healthy as possible."

<h1> Keto can also trigger disordered eating in some. </h1>

"I find that when people cut out carbohydrates, they overeat them later," says Shalek. ". Thats the bottom line." This can be a major concern for people with a history of binge eating. That's why <a href="https://www.poundofcureweightloss.com/" id="5e5b69c9-45fe-37ff-acf4-569db0680b38"> Matthew Weiner, MD, of A Pound of Cure </a> encourages his patients to focus on cutting out processed foods and eating whole foods instead of eliminating entire food groups from their diet, as the keto diet requires. This helps with weight loss without encouraging restrictive eating.

According to <a href="https://sph.umich.edu/faculty-profiles/rothberg-amy.html" id="90db3a8f-b949-399d-ab02-c8fa76a59a45"> Amy Rothberg, MD, PhD </a> , at the University of Michigan, most of her patients who complain about the keto diet have experienced the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/a20967270/what-is-the-keto-flu/" id="94274fd9-1196-38f6-a780-bf3e8720122c"> keto flu </a> , a combination of crummy symptoms that make them feel under the weather. "They all feel terrible, they feel like they have the fluheadaches, nausea, constipation," Rothberg says. Plus, you may also experience vitamin deficiencies. "Without having grains, youre reducing your B vitamin intake greatly," Keatley says.

But these symptoms usually occur during the first week of the diet when your body is getting used to the shift in energy sources and carbohydrate reduction. They tend to taper out as you get more used to restrictive eating. And if you're willing to lose weight at a slower (but more sustainable pace!), Keatley recommends upping your carb intake to at least 45 to 60 grams to skip over the keto flu and some of those other neggy side effects that can send your body into shock.

<h1> You could end up with some serious gastrointestinal issues. </h1>

When you decrease your carbohydrates, youre also decreasing your fiber. And fiber is what helps keeps your digestive tract moving, Keatley explains. Without it, you can experience some pretty uncomfortable constipation.

And when you try to incorporate carbs back into your diet after having been on keto consistently, you may experience gas, bloating, and diarrhea. "Basically a Pepto-Bismol commercial," Weiner says.

To avoid this, Shalek recommends ensuring your diet is rich in high-fiber carbohydrates. Remember: The fiber helps control blood sugar levels and keeps you full. You want to aim between 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day.

<h1> There are no studies on the long-term effects of the diet. </h1>

At least not when it comes to weight loss. What has been researched and proven, however, is the negative effect of eating so much red meat (which a low-carb, high-fat definitely encourages!). That's where things get risky, Weiner says.

A recent study from Northwestern University linked red and processed meat with higher risk of heart disease and death. "Eating two servings of red meat, processed meat or poultrybut not fishper week was linked to a 3 to 7 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease," <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200203114328.htm" id="f8f14ad3-91d8-31c0-a123-7b23e59613b2"> the study reports </a> .

That's why Weiner recommends that if you're going to do the keto diet, you should focus on more lean animal proteins.

<h1> The diet could change the way you view food. </h1>

Maurishire comes from a first generation African-American family, meaning her parents immigrated from Africa. Many of the dishes she eats are cooked by relatives with love, but oftentimes, without measurements. There are a bunch of African foods where Im like, I have no idea how many grams of fat are in this specific soup that my grandma just made in her pot, she says. Meals like that are part of her heritage and historyand she wasn't willing to give them up. Im not about to stop eating that for any sort of lifestyle change. Id maybe eat it with quinoa instead of rice, Maurishire says. But feeling like she had to choose between her culture and her diet was a deal breaker.

About a month into the diet, the 26-year-old also began struggling with the strict restrictions on a more ethical level, too. It just felt ridiculous for me to limit myself in that way considering all the limitations other people go through, she says. "I still do have limitations brought on me by my own finances and society, but it felt silly to add limitations. And also to feel so sad," she says. While on the diet, it was hard for her to enjoy food, and that's when she decided to stop.

Keatley often warns his clients to be mindful of the way the diet not only makes you look (in terms of fat loss), but also how you feel. "If you find it to be very unenjoyable you should stop. If the keto diet is ruining your relationship with food and other people, you should stop," he says.

Now, Maurishire focuses on moderation rather than restriction. Instead of eating the whole bag of chips, Ill count out the serving size," she says. Her family dishes no longer feel off limits and she tries to plan out her meals ahead of time, focusing on eating about 1,600 to 1,650 calories a day.

And the truth is: That's the diet that worksthe one that's right for you. If you think that keto could be it, take it for a spin. Just keep in mind that both the diet and the results will likely be temporary.

'I Quit The Keto Diet And I've Never Felt Better'

Maurishire Akabidavis, 26, stumbled into the keto diet the way most people did in 2019on the internet and in conversation with friends.

Is The Keto Diet Actually Bad For You? Experts And Real Women Weigh In

Broken into six episodes, with each more gripping than the last, the series uses voice recordings, home videos, and pictures of the late author, combined with commentary from the remaining survivors, lead detectives, and researchers that Michelle worked with during her investigation. Women's Health caught up with Patton upon the series' release date and four years after Michelle's death to talk through his role as an executive producer, seeking closure, and what he hopes everyone will get out of I'll Be Gone In The Dark.

"You can say youre through with grief all you want, but grief will let you know when its done," Patton says during the series.

The comedian admitted that his grieving process is not over, but being on the production team and lending himself to this project has definitely helped. "For me, it's just another step in this long journey," Patton tells WH. "But it's definitely a big one."

In releasing tons of personal audio files, anecdotes, photos, and videos of Michelle and her investigation process to the series' director, Liz Garbus, Patton hoped to center the story on the people that mattered most. "I wanted the focus to be on her, on the victims, on the crime solversand not have it be on the killer," he explains.

Unlike other true crime series centered on the suspect, viewers won't really see or hear from the Golden State Killer until the final episode. Almost every minute of filming is instead dedicated to unpacking Michelle's thoughts, giving screen time to the survivors to share their experiences, or introducing key players and advocates in Michelle's life and investigation, including Patton. All of this adds a deeply personal angle to the sometimes cold-blooded nature of true crime.

While Patton notes he can't say what his late wife would have thought of the docuseries, he does hope it will add something to her legacy. And, of course, "I hope that it serves as something for the survivors and victims, but I don't think I can decide what that is," Patton adds.

The comedian did say there's one person whose interaction with the series he will be deciding onand that's his daughter, Alice. We see glimpses of her younger self playing with Michelle in home videos. But Patton says the now 11-year-old is still too young to see her mother's work and won't watch the series until she's much older. "I'll just know when she's ready," he says. "I'll know when I know." Until then, they're taking it day by day, Patton (who has remarried since Michelle's death) says.

"You have to wake up every day and go to sleep every night. I don't know any other way to do it," he tells Women's Health. "You just have to walk your way out of it somehow." Being a part of this series has helped to finally make that pathway clearer.

Patton Oswalt Opens Up About About Late Wife

I'll Be Gone In The Dark is the latest true crime docuseries to hit HBO. Based on the book of the same name written by Michelle McNamara, Patton Oswalt's late wife, the series details Michelle's passionate obsession with finding the Golden State Killer and bringing justice to his more than 50 victims and survivors.

'I'll Be Gone In The Dark's' Patton Oswalt Opens Up About His Late Wife Michelle McNamara

If you watched HBO's latest true crime docuseries I'll Be Gone In The Dark, then you know all about Michelle McNamara's journey toward finding the <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32980909/who-is-golden-state-killer/" id="96b1b8fc-a82a-3e4c-ad3e-2819f3140e44"> Golden State Killer </a> , also known as the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker. The criminal with three monikers went unidentified for 40 years while murdering and raping dozens of people throughout California in the 1970s and 80s.

The series takes viewers through Michelle's obsession with finding the killer. The suspect was eventually arrested in 2018, but not before <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/25/books/michelle-mcnamara-patton-oswalt.html" id="1e3416ed-42d2-306f-aeb2-c3730cb9558d"> Michelle died from an accidental overdose and undiagnosed heart condition </a> . There's no denying that her work aided in law enforcement's ability to catch the Golden State Killer, who is now believed to be Joseph James DeAngelo. The 74-year old is a former police officer and has been charged with eight murders committed in California in the 1970s, per <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/26/606060349/after-arrest-of-suspected-golden-state-killer-details-of-his-life-emerge" id="f6471090-737f-3f9c-a18b-c024fa3618a7"> NPR. </a> Police also think he committed at least four other murders and about 50 rapes. But exactly how did they finally apprehend DeAngelo as a suspect?

<h1> Well, DNAor lack thereofplayed a major role in the Golden State Killer case. </h1>

The case was pretty quiet until 2011, when new DNA technology linked a series of rapes in Northern California with crimes in Southern California, the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-dna-night-stalker-20160615-snap-story.html" id="bf5d3a94-69ad-3024-a77a-34b7d62b2c98"> Los Angeles Times </a> reports. "We now have concrete evidence that links their deaths to the horrific individual that terrorized both Northern and Southern California," Drew Sugars, a spokesman for the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Department, told the publication.

By 2016, <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/help-us-catch-the-east-area-rapist/help-us-catch-the-east-area-rapist" id="1b86982d-09b0-3796-acfb-bcd8b20e3fc9"> the FBI </a> offered a $50,000 reward for info that would lead to the arrest of the Golden State Killer. They described him as a "white male, close to six feet tall, with blond or light brown hair and an athletic build. He may have an interest or training in military or law enforcement techniques, and he was proficient with firearms."

In 2018, case investigator Paul Holes, who viewers meet in the docuseries, worked with a crime lab to get the full digital DNA profile of the Golden State Killer from semen samples, per <a href="https://www.ishinews.com/to-catch-a-predator-an-interview-with-paul-holes/" id="a0958ea6-3ba2-3008-af02-8ff6bf16e5b8"> ISHI news </a> . Holes uploaded it into a GED match, an online DNA service he talks about in the series. With the help of Barbara Rae-Venter, a genetic genealogist, the two were able to narrow the suspects down to a handful of men.

<h1> Barbara Rae-Venter found an old newspaper clipping about a store robbery in Sacramento. </h1>

As explained in the docuseries, Rae-Venter had been looking through old newspapers for any leads and found one from October 31, 1979 that said a man named Joseph DeAngelo, a former police officer, was caught stealing a can of dog repellent and a hammer from a local drug store.

Rae-Venter sent an email to Paul Holes asking him if he had ruled out DeAngelo, and it turns out that he was one of the six suspects left on their list. From there, Holes began putting together the pieces. The Golden State Killer had been quoted by his victims as saying "I hate you Bonnie," and DeAngelo had an ex-fianc named Bonnie. DeAngelo also purchased a gun right outside of Visalia, California, another hotspot for the Golden State Killer. And around 1985, he had a daughter born in Los Angeles county.

Barbara then ran the DNA through another program and found that their suspect would have blue eyes and be prematurely bald. Law enforcement pulled the California drivers records for the six people on the suspect list and only one had blue eyes: Joseph DeAngelo.

<h1> The police then tested a piece of tissue from his trash can. </h1>

According to Holmes, this was the final nail in the coffin. They tested a piece of tissue from DeAngelo's trash can, and it was a 100 percent match to the Golden State Killer's DNA. This allowed them to obtain an arrest warrant for DeAngelo and charge him with 12 counts of murder in Sacramento, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Orange counties, per <a href="https://apnews.com/16441bb64e374a56b3ba444f39a48461/Records:-DNA-from-tissue-led-to-Golden-State-Killer-arrest" id="5f598a4c-f78c-3762-a161-f2d799868472"> the AP </a> .

The next hearing is set to take place in Sacramento on June 29 at 1:35 pm. The judge is scheduled to hear several motions, including one for dismissal. The proceedings will be streamed to a private YouTube channel, but law enforcement officials <a href="https://www.sacda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Press-Conference_DeAngelo.pdf" id="4bff8b7e-9931-3ada-ab2f-bca6c764d0a2"> recently announced </a> that there will be a press conference held immediately after the court hearing is over.

In an interview with <a href="https://www.kcra.com/article/prosecutors-to-make-announcement-in-joseph-deangelo-case-at-sacramento-state-on-monday/32973727" id="c7ebca93-a503-3969-ac9f-bf946a3ad7ec"> KCRA </a> , Jennifer Carole, the daughter of Lyman Smith, who was killed by the Golden State Killer in 1980, said she and other family members of victims were told a guilty plea may be coming.

How Did Police Catch The Golden State Killer?

How Did Police Finally Catch The Alleged Golden State Killer And Bring Him To Trial?

<h1> "There's this false dichotomy that physicians either have to believe in the lockdown or the protests." </h1>

Danielle Belardo, M.D., Philadelphia, PA

I'm a cardiologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I've been on the front lines of the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/coronavirus/" id="26b6b486-e68f-31ef-ab50-f6fdd51bd118"> COVID-19 pandemic </a> and take it incredibly seriously. When the virus was at its peak, I was redeployed from cardiology to internal medicine to help treat severe patients. And I've had to watch some of them die from the virus. I also have a niece who has leukemia and is immunocompromised. So I do not take COVID lightly by any means. But I completely support the protests that have been occurring.

When people ask me, "How is it that a physician who was so concerned about COVID, is suddenly supporting the protests?" my reasoning is simple: Everyone, every day takes a personal risk assessment to determine their health needs. And we cannot ignore that human rights are an undeniable need.

So for some people who have medical conditions or individual circumstances and are unable to take the risk of doing the protest, they can impact change from home. But for those of us who've decided to to really work towards making our voices known about all of the systemic racism and injustice that has happened to black individuals in this countrythere are plenty of safe ways to protest. My husband and I went to three protests in the past week because it was worth the risk. And the truth is, we take the same calculated risk whenever we go outsidewhen we to the grocery store or when you're going to pick up medications.

\"My husband and I were able to keep close to 6 feet away from others during all three protests.\"

We watched George Floyd get murdered. And so, the way that I reconcile this as a physician who cares about COVID is that if you are going to go outside to protest, which I fully support, because Black Lives Matter, do so following the same safety precautions you regularly would during COVID-19: Wear a mask, practice hand hygiene (washing your hands or using sanitizer), keep your distance, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CBLk5f0gvVc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" id="f527095e-6724-3a44-af16-ffdf8f480b70"> get tested </a> . My husband and I were able to keep close to 6 feet away from others during all three protests.

There's this false dichotomy that physicians either have to believe in the lockdown or the protests. But what people don't understand is that these protests are for human rightsfor black lives. Every large national medical organization, including in my specialtythe American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the Association of Black Cardiologists, the American Society of Echocardiographyhave all come out with statements explaining that racism, social injustice and systemic racism, these are health issues and we as physicians have to be concerned about this.

We took an oath to care about our patients. And voicing our concerns and standing up to systemic racism is a part of that.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/daniellebelardomd/" id="84bf1a68-8a06-3ee4-abc4-321a891e5060"> Danielle Belardo, MD </a> , is a cardiologist and director of cardiology for the Institute of Plant-Based Medicine (IOPBM).

<h1> "What people fail to understand is that racism is a public health issue." </h1>

Jessica Shepherd, M.D., Dallas, Texas.

Dr. Shepherd during the protest in Dallas, Texas.

For me, being a part of the protests and speaking out against racial injustice is multi-layered. In my position as a black physician, which was very hard-fought for ( <a href="https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/interactive-data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/ethnicity-2018" id="5c595511-4fe9-36aa-a40c-9eede0888225"> we only make up a tiny fraction of medical professionals </a> !), I have to stand up for people who look like me, who could be my family or friends. So I stand up against inequalities first and foremost because I am black. Period.

On the other side of that, the healthcare system isn't immune to systemic racism, and we have to be held accountable for it. So the fact that I've had the privilege to be in the systemI have another responsibility as a black physician, to make sure that I'm also recognizing that the system will differentially allocate, whether it's vital goods or resources, in an unfair and disadvantageous way. Whether we discriminate based on insurance status or there are resource gaps that disproportionately impact black communities. Those are forms of institutional racism. And that's why my job as a black physician is to actively work to dismantle those practices and policies.

\"I\'m glad I did it. People can criticize all they want.\"

On Sunday, June 7, myself and dozens of other healthcare professionals, physicians, medical students, and residents filled the streets of Dallas and protested with <a href="https://whitecoats4blacklives.org/" id="24960006-d409-34b4-a71c-7f4a50003d2a"> White Coats for Black Lives </a> . Part of the protest involved lying on the ground for eight minutes and 46 seconds in solidarity with George Floyd. And I'm glad I did it. People can criticize all they want. But while I was lying there, in my head, all I could imagine was: someone was in this position. I remember there were three moments where I had to adjust myself because I was uncomfortable. And I just thoughtGeorge Floyd didn't have that option. He couldn't say "Oh, you know, my shoulder feels a little uncomfortable." And even just sensing that lack of freedom brought tears to my eyes.

What people fail to understand is that racism is a public health issue, and that's why we protest. To those concerned about our safety, it was actually pretty easy from a healthcare perspective to take the same guidelines that apply to decreasing the transmission of COVID and use them during the protests. Wear a mask. Try to social distance. But also recognize that protests are emotional, and people will have feelings of anger, sadness, fear, helplessness, exhaustion, and even rage that won't always make it easy to follow precautions. Make sure to leave space for that too.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessicashepherdmd/" id="21f7321b-d111-399e-adf7-8d2637ade4c8"> Jessica Shepherd, MD </a> , is a board-certified obgyn and Women's Health advisory board member.

<h1> "It was the first time, other than going to the grocery store, that my partner and I had left the house in months." </h1>

Pooja Lakshmin, M.D., Washington, D.C.

Being a psychiatrist and working in mental health, the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent deaths from police violence is definitely impacting my patients. They're experiencing increased amounts of depression, anxiety, and stress. And seeing that has made me want to get involved and encourage broader national change.

Racism is a pandemic too. And going to the protest last weekend felt like a way for me to have some type of agency. It was the first time, other than going to the grocery store, that my partner and I had left my house in months. But it felt worth the risk to be getting my voice out there. Change happens on a personal level. And it's really easy to get overwhelmed and feel demoralized about all the awful things that are happening. So for me, one small way to feel like I'm part of something bigger is to go to a protest.

It feels really good to be surrounded by other people who are dedicated and motivated toward the same cause. I don't think that protesting is enough by any means. You also need to take concrete actions in your everyday life. But for me, I think protests are a place where you can get the energy to do all the other things like donate, have important conversations with family, advocate for yourself at work, etc.

Luckily, I'm not someone who is high-risk for COVID-19. But for folks who are elderly, or are immune compromised, it may not make sense for them to protest. I think everybody has to make that decision for themselves. And know that if you physically can't be there, that doesn't mean that you're any less committed to the cause.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/womensmentalhealthdoc/" id="631635cc-4110-3de6-ae2b-56d3e0b7ad93"> Pooja Lakshmin, MD </a> , is a psychiatrist specializing in women's mental health and clinical assistant professor at George Washington University.

'I'm An MD Fighting COVID And Protesting Racism'

In the past week, hospital staff across the country have joined the protest against the racist murders of <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32715759/how-to-help-george-floyd-protests-donate/" id="ad38d684-2164-3fd6-aae1-9f9b31cc9e2f"> George Floyd </a> , <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/11/family-seeks-answers-fatal-police-shooting-louisville-woman-her-apartment/" id="bba32687-97af-3313-aa10-71731d82fa6e"> Breonna Taylor </a> , <a href="https://www.nytimes...

These Three Doctors Are Fighting COVID-19 And Protesting Racism

But as tough as it's been to communicate, I wouldn't choose silence over not speaking out at all. Why? Because silence and complacency is never the answer to racism. And often times, the only way to spark change is to demand itwhether through social media posts, donating to civil rights organizations, or protesting in your community.

That being said, I know there are people out there who don't feel comfortable having conversations around or sharing thoughts on social injustice. And to that I'd say: Consider asking yourself why. If you want to be an ally but you're hesitant about advocating publicly for the equal treatment of black Americans or any marginalized group of people, doing some self reflection can help you pinpoint if you're feeling this way because you've given into one of "the three F's," says <a href="http://drcandicenicole.com/about/" id="8cded06b-63a1-3b19-a696-2c0965ea8f3f"> Candice Hargons, PhD </a> , director for the Center for Healing Racial Trauma.

These are the emotions that typically play a role in whether or not someone will respond to social injustice in an anti-racist manner: fear, fatigue, and not giving a f*ck. Let's break them down a bit:

<ol><li> Fatigue: Some people feel they don't have the energy to engage in the battle against racism, Hargons says. A lot of that fatigue stems from the fact that they may already be dealing with other intersecting identities (think: ethnicity, class, sex, age, sexual identity, etc.) that come with their own set of discriminations. But that doesn't give you permission to stay silent. If you're overwhelmed at the idea of tackling racism, imagine the energy level of the people being victimized. And remember that no one is asking you to take it on by yourself. There have been demonstrations in at least 584 cities and towns so far, across all 50 states, per <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/graphics/2020/06/03/map-protests-wake-george-floyds-death/5310149002/">USA Today</a> and George Floyd's GoFundMe <a href="https://people.com/human-interest/george-floyd-gofundme-campaign-garners-most-donations-of-all-time-for-platform/#:~:text=You'll%20get%20the%20latest,its%20original%20%241.5%20million%20goal.">surpassed $13 million</a> . This advice for <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a32743916/mental-health-social-injustice/">prioritizing your mental health while fighting racism</a> can also help you combat fatigue. </li><li> Fear: Some people are afraid of what they will lose (think: job, friends, relationships) if they engage in anti-racist efforts, Hargons explains. But fear is an inevitable part of changeand change is necessary to prevent the continuation of systemic racism. "We don't have to be fearless," says Hargons. "We just have to be willing to do the scary, but righteous thing, anyway." </li><li> Not giving an F : "Some people ignore or deny racism, because it disrupts their belief that the world is just," Hargons says. And rather than working through that cognitive dissonance (or the discomfort of conflicting ideas) in a healthy way, they suppress empathy and double down on pre-established beliefs, she explains. Here's an example: Let's say you're married to a police officer who is good and fair. But you've seen on television the disproportionate effects of <a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/21872/map-of-police-violence-against-black-americans/">police killings of black Americans</a> . And instead of speaking out on this topic, you choose to remain silent because you'd rather not believe that your husband is in a line of work where people are treated differently because of the color of their skin. But ignoring this reality helps no onenot you and definitely not black Americans. Instead, you might want to consider that you're in a unique and important position to enact change. </li></ol>

"We can remember that courage isn't comfortable," Hargons says. "And that's okay." But I certainly won't allow it to paralyze me into doing nothing at alland I hope you won't, either. Click the links below for ways to get started on allyship:

Don't Give Into The 3 F's During Social Injustice

The past few weeks have been <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a32743916/mental-health-social-injustice/" id="3687353a-b310-306c-a1e1-af393fb18f25"> mentally draining </a> . With the recent and racist killings of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-georgia.html" id="b1bb6ccf-c9a8-3ea4-a761-10d9cb72f8c6"> Ahmaud Arbery </a> , <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/21/us/breonna-taylor-death-police-changes-trnd/index.html" id="c3408071-cfca-3b07-aab9-1c...

'The 3 F's' Explain Why So Many People Aren't Taking Anti-Racist Actions Right Now

According to Tara Fields, PhD and author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Fix-Repair-Restore-Relationship/dp/006240721X/" id="c5a4ca54-d085-3771-abf6-6f73b82dd321"> The Love Fix </a> , flirting is much less complicated. "It does not have to mean some kind of cheesy or goofy technique," Fields explains. Unless you're just looking for a hookup which in that case, a few strategically placed hair flips might do just the trick, she adds.

But if you're flirting to get to know someone, your intention should be to let them know that you're into them, rather than trying to get them to like you. "I just want to let this person know that I'm interested," Fields recommends saying to yourself before your next virtual date or even texting conversation. Focusing on that intention will help to take the pressure off the situation, the relationship expert explains. And hopefully make it easier for you to be yourself.

If the concept of flirting still seems a little scary, that's okay. So many things can go through your head when talking to someone from, "Am I laughing too much?" to "Did they see the food in my teeth?" But according to Fields, those are the worries you can afford to ditch when you focus on these eight tips below. They'll help you flirt with ALL the confidence you need.

<h1> 1. Ditch the canned responses. </h1>

"Stay away from any of the cheesy advice that some so-called self proclaimed dating experts says you should do," Fields explains. Think: Throwing your head back and giggling whenever they say something funny or the bend and snap (sorry, Elle Woods!). Instead, just try to be as authentically you as possible and talk the way you naturally would with a friend. It's the best way for them to get to know the real you. And if you two don't click, that's okay. That person just wasn't your match, Fields explains.

This is a simple technique, but one of the most important, Fields explains. Looking someone in the eye is a great way to let them know you're not only interested in them, but the conversation they bring to the table. Not sure how to do it? "Just look at the personnot in some artificial goofy come hither waybut in a way that feels natural and organic," Fields explains. Don't overthink it.

If you're more of a numbers person, according to <a href="https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/eye_contact_dont_make_these_mistakes" id="09c14e26-6dfa-35fe-a64b-13c1b0908ff2"> research conducted by the University of Michigan </a> in 2012, you can follow the 50/70 rule which suggests that during a conversation you should make eye contact for 50 percent of the time while speaking and 70 percent while listening. In between those times you can take a sip from your drink or take in the rest of the room for a bit. This balance will display both interest and confidence.

Whether you're dating the person IRL or getting to know each other over FaceTime and something embarrassing happens, try your best not to get flustered, Fields suggests.

If you spill a bit of wine on your shirt during a date, once you've cleaned up, instead of dwelling on the situation, try and make light of it by saying something like: "That's what I get for trying get dressed up for you." And know that you don't have to worry about this person judging, because real talk: "You don't really know who this other person is at this point, so why get anxious about it?" Fields says. And there's a good chance they're also occasionally clumsy.

This can be a tough one to do because giving someone a genuine compliment calls for vulnerability, Fields explains, because it means getting real about how you feel about their look, personality, outfit, etc. But chances are, even if you feel a little nervous about telling them you love when they scrunch up their nose when they're deep in thought, they'll appreciate the kind words and your authenticity, says Fields.

One of the benefits of the rise in <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/relationships/g26240608/best-dating-apps-sites/" id="96518e23-4125-332f-a031-f577a21b947f"> dating apps </a> is that, in some ways, you can be more open virtually than you might be face-to-face, Fields says. The person you're talking to virtually will likely get a glimpse of your home during video calls and you might see their rescue dog walking around in the background. Use that to your advantage to get flirty and maybe suggest an IRL doggy playdate down the line.

This goes hand in hand with using your surroundingswhether you're at a bar or getting to know each other over video chat. Make sure to take note of certain things about the person and ask questions, Fields emphasizes. If you've chatted with them a few times and notice they always wear the same necklace, ask why it's special to them. Or maybe a unique painting on their wall's caught your eye; ask them for the story behind it. This will show them you're interested in taking the relationship deeper than just the surface level.

Once you've been talking to someone for a while, you'll have more room to bring some more levity into your interactions. Fields suggests leaning into this as much as possible. It's a foolproof way to gauge the other person's sense of humor and demonstrate how comfortable you've both become with each other.

So, go ahead and make that joke about how their greys are coming in, but they still look great, or poke fun at the fact that you're preparing the same tired bowl of pasta every evening when they call. "If you're looking for a relationship, what you want is somebody who's gonna love you for your authentic self," Fields says.

Smiling exhibits warmth, Fields explains. And it's crazy what a difference turning up the corners of your mouth can make when talking to someone. A 2003 <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393202001458?via%3Dihub" id="fb116254-01fb-30e1-abfb-d925a24fb250"> Neuropsychologia study </a> found that seeing a smiling face can activate the region in your brain that processes sensory rewards. Translation: When you see someone smiling or when you smile at someone, they actually feel special, like they're doing something right which can go a long way during an awkward first date (amirite?!).

Despite what a few television shows (*cough* The Bachelor *cough*) and sappy romance movies would tell you, flirting doesn't mean you have to bat your eyelashes and laugh at every joke the other person says.

How To Flirt With ALL The Confidence

Warning: This story contains spoilers for the first season of Too Hot To Handle.

You've seen Netflix's latest reality dating show, <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32175112/too-hot-to-handle-netflix-season-2/" id="40fec92d-bcfc-31d9-a504-f6b2e30370cc"> Too Hot To Handle </a> by now, right? The eight-episode series places a group of young, attractive singles from around the world on a resort in Mexico. And then tells them when they arrive that they can't have any sexual contact with each other while therenot even kissing.

Anyone who violates the rules will lose a portion of the group's $100,000 cash prize. The goal is get these sex-crazed singles to form deeper relationships with each other. And some of them actually do (*cough <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a32160705/too-hot-to-handle-francesca-harry-still-dating/" id="ff56d6d9-7ebf-3afc-a6e2-90bc9bae7983"> Francesca and Harry </a> cough*).

But as with any reality show, not everything that happens on camera makes the final cut. Rhonda Paul, one of the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/g32106397/too-hot-to-handle-netflix-cast-instagrams/" id="5e1eb742-b5e9-304e-a97d-f2fc9939addf"> cast members </a> , caught up with Women's Health to share what moments she wishes viewers could have seen.

For starters, her relationship with Harry was just a friendshipnothing more. Remember that scene when Francesca and Harry were mad at each other and Francesca came into the bedroom to find Harry and Rhonda in bed together? Well, Rhonda's gotten questions about whether or not something went down between the two of them. And according to her, that scene was totally innocent.

"Me and Harry are so cool. That was like my brother," Rhonda said. "It was like a friend confiding in a friend. We did that so much. We'd all just kind of jumped into each other's beds and just kind of talked to each other got to know each other."

But Rhonda and Harry's friendship wasn't the only bond that viewers never got the chance to see develop. "With the time that we had, I feel like people weren't able to see the relationship that we all bonded together," Rhonda told Women's Health. Instead the show focused on the romantic relationships. But everybody there felt like family, she added. Even she and Francesca had formed a sisterhood at one point.

Rhonda's open personality was another thing she felt was omitted from the series. "There's things that weren't seen where my personality was coming out," she said. "I feel like I went in there with an open mind and open heart."

There were also apparently some powerful workshops that were left out of the Netflix premiere. "I'm not sure how much detail I can give about those. But there were definitely some more workshops that were just as good as the ones seen," Rhonda said. If they had shown everything, the reality star said they could have had three seasons. "It would have been too good. It would have been wayyy to hot handle," Rhonda told WH.

I guess only Lana knows what really went down.

'Too Hot To Handle's' Rhonda Spills What Was Cut

Rhonda Paul From Netflix's 'Too Hot Too Handle' Reveals What Was Cut From The Series

Netflix's latest reality dating series <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80241027" id="a4dbcdff-6b46-3ffe-ab25-85e7bc340dcd"> Too Hot To Handle </a> is all anyone can talk about. The show is based on the seemingly shallow, yet highly entertaining concept of sticking 10 attractive individuals in a resort in Mexico and telling them that they can't have sex. Their challenge? To form deeper connections. And some people actually do.

But what happens when <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/g32106397/too-hot-to-handle-netflix-cast-instagrams/" id="6bf78b9b-ff15-3e0b-a6fe-58b8b7e2f52d"> the hot cast </a> isn't flirting with each other, laying out in the sun, or bettering themselves? Do they eat? Because meals are definitely never shown on camera. The cast has to be eating something to keep their fit bods fit (amirite?). Cast member Francesca Farago even mentions being vegan several times throughout the show.

Well, Francesca caught up with Women's Health to explain how she stuck to her vegan diet while filming. Turns out she had someone cooking for her the entire time. "We had a chef, and he was amazing," Francesca said. While he was making everyone else beef wellington, the chef would find fun vegan subs for her like beet wellington. "He always, always, always had an alternative for me. So it was the best food ever," she told WH.

The Instagram model said that going vegan six years ago changed her life and body "for the better times a thousand." She finds it easier to stay lean and to stick to her ideal weight while on a vegan diet packed with veggies and free of processed foods.

"Of course, I have a sweet tooth so I eat dessert a few times a week. And especially with quarantine it's hard not to eat a bunch of Oreos. But I try to work out three to four times a week," she said.

Her at-home workouts right now include focusing on legs, arms, and abs. "I don't do heavy lifting. I should, because I want a nice, juicy booty," she said. "But right now I just kind of do overall full body and then I think it's mainly diet for me that keeps me lean."

Well, with no immediate end in sight to the quarantine, Francesca has some time to achieve her new body goals. Good luck, girl.

Is Francesca From 'Too Hot To Handle' Vegan?

How Francesca From ‘Too Hot To Handle’ Kept Her Vegan Diet While Filming

I didnt run away from my feelings. I let myself cry. I let myself grieve." Jenna Dewan, actress and dancer, in an interview with <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a25380902/jenna-dewan-cosmopolitan-cover-january/" id="6391229f-c9ed-370c-a039-3a4fbd60a7db"> Cosmopolitan </a> Getty Images

I feel like Ive joined an enormous club, something like the Veterans of Foreign Wars. We are weary with battle fatigue and sometimes even gripped by nostalgia for the good old, bad old days, but our numbers are large. Theo Pauline Nestor, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-sleep-alone-in-a-king-size-bed-theo-pauline-nestor/1100258893" id="c357e525-7b62-33f3-ad4c-24b204193350"> How to Sleep Alone in a King-Size Bed: A Memoir </a> Getty Images

For each of us, there comes a time to let go. You will know when that time has come. When you have done all that you can do, it is time to detach. Deal with your feelings. Face your fears about losing control. Gain control of yourself and your responsibilities. Free others to be who they are. In so doing, you will set yourself free." Melody Beattie, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/codependent-no-more-melody-beattie/1100760609" id="5ca10c83-1e42-35a7-a163-a6fda6faffeb"> Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself </a> Getty Images

Even after the most tragic death, the meanest divorce and the worst breakup, it is possible to heal over time. Itayi Garande, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shattered-Heart-Overcoming-Breakup-Separation-ebook/dp/B084M88X4H" id="b971ce7e-7ef0-3c55-ae43-a70ea94c9c9f"> Shattered Heart: Overcoming Death, Loss, Breakup and Separation </a> Getty Images

"Divorce is hard and painful and complicated, and something you have to grow through. And Im growing through it." Sharon Stone, in an interview with <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/11925999/ns/dateline_nbc/t/back-basic-sharon-stone/" id="8d667e8f-b0d0-332f-a079-225cba01e116"> NBC </a> Getty Images

What we wait around a lifetime for with one person, we can find in a moment with someone else. Stephanie Klein, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/straight-up-and-dirty-stephanie-klein/1102807816" id="535427a6-9e7f-3204-a5dc-5424fc46f60c"> Straight Up and Dirty: A Memoir </a> Getty Images

"A divorce is like an amputation: you survive it, but there's less of you." Margaret Atwood, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/handmaids-tale-margaret-atwood/1100295471" id="a8576e90-b32d-335e-a262-deb01e622491"> The Handmaid's Tale </a> Getty Images

The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving. I didn't want to destroy anything or anybody. I just wanted to slip quietly out the back door, without causing any fuss or consequences, and then not stop running until I reached Greenland. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eat-pray-love-elizabeth-gilbert/1100831874?ean=9780143038412" id="2bbcce8b-8304-3f53-a676-913e346a4097"> Eat, Pray, Love </a> Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

A heart can stop beating for a while, one can still live. Suzanne Finnamore, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/split-suzanne-finnamore/1100361208?ean=9781440635281" id="8c22ccf2-27b1-3dbb-a5ad-23cbadca5e8c"> Split: A Memoir of Divorce </a> Getty Images

"I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house." Zsa Zsa Gabor, actress Getty Images

Why did we divorce? I guess you could say we had trouble synchronizing. You know that carnival ride where two cages swing in opposite directions, going higher and higher until they go over the top? That was us. We passed each other all the time, but we never actually stopped in the same place until it was time to get off the ride. Diane Hammond, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hannahs-dream-diane-hammond/1101023189?ean=9780061568251" id="93e30be6-5771-3e70-abeb-12d8633a608a"> Hannah's Dream </a> Getty Images

"Divorce is in the machine now, like love and birth and death. Its possibility informs us, even when it goes untouched. And if we fail at marriage, we are lucky we dont have to fail with the force of our whole life." Ann Patchett, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/this-is-the-story-of-a-happy-marriage-ann-patchett/1114298624" id="4126c06c-25bf-3f51-a74b-d78bc0aed98d"> This Is The Story Of A Happy Marriage </a> Getty Images

"You have to have two people to dance a marriage. My hearts a little on the tender side right now, and its always easier to focus on the ways that you feel hurt, but I know that, with time and some perspective, Ill have a clearer sense of where I let the system down, because theres no way I get off in this. Jennifer Garner, actress, in an interview with <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/jennifer-garner-talks-kids-career-ben-affleck" id="daccb703-8cfc-30b0-aa00-0610c0a2abbd"> Vanity Fair </a> Jamie Grill - Getty Images

"Id marry again if I found a man who had $15 million and would sign over half of it to me before the marriage and guarantee hed be dead in a year." Bette Davis, actress Jeffrey Hamilton - Getty Images

"Time passed. Anger saved me from depression. After a while, it had all been said. No more stray phone messages, no more brooding for days on end. No more ashes on my tongue." Suzanne Finnamore, author of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/24/family-relationships" id="7522eb58-3d13-3b80-a652-19c5b50a4376"> Divorce, And My Sexy New Life </a> for The Guardian Getty Images

"Half of all marriages end in divorceand then there are the really unhappy ones." Joan Rivers, comedian and author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bouncing-back-joan-rivers/1002157016?ean=9780062004550" id="59fc4ab2-8e21-3786-a687-181333cfa372"> Bouncing Back: I've Survived Everything...and I Mean Everything...and You Can Too! </a> Getty Images

Only consistent, unconditional love is good enough. Susan J. Elliott, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-past-your-breakup-susan-j-elliott/1016996621" id="c3f06a0a-05c8-3f09-adb9-03d9f4077aef"> Getting Past Your Breakup: How to Turn a Devastating Loss into the Best Thing That Ever Happened to You </a> Maskot - Getty Images

It is in that moment, when you really lay down your cards and see the relationship for what it was, that you'll find the freedom to kick it in the ass and let it go. Greg Behrendt, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/its-called-a-break-up-because-its-broken-greg-behrendt/1102805220" id="1d0cfaf6-d30c-3284-a3fc-fe81aaae38eb"> It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken: The Smart Girl's Break-Up Buddy </a> Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

"I never really came alive for myself; I was only feeding his aliveness." Scarlett Johansen, actress, as Nicole in Marriage Story Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

Heartbreak is a loss. Divorce is a piece of paper. Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-seven-husbands-of-evelyn-hugo-taylor-jenkins-reid/1124863869" id="d38c3e4f-5014-3653-a490-1cded0559317"> The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo </a> Getty Images

"Being divorced is like being hit by a Mack truck. If you live through it, you start looking very carefully to the right and to the left." Jean Kerr, author Getty Images

When two people decide to get a divorce, it isnt a sign that they 'dont understand one another, but a sign that they have, at least, begun to. Helen Rowland, journalist Getty Images

Divorce isnt such a tragedy. A tragedys staying in an unhappy marriage, teaching your children the wrong things about love. Nobody ever died of divorce." Jennifer Weiner, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fly-away-home-jennifer-weiner/1100185226" id="3e29f2f8-b425-3f13-a1ff-4a97e23a3bc1"> Fly Away Home </a> Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

Every way that youve given away your power, denied your own deeper knowing, put someone elses feelings and needs before your own, stayed embedded in a victimized story, or settled for less in lifeall of it is now up for review. You have nowhere to hide. Life has broken you open and it is violently, mercilessly forcing you to evolve, to develop, and to grow. Katherine Woodward Thomas, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/conscious-uncoupling-katherine-woodward-thomas/1121067207" id="55b95ffd-0c78-3117-a682-2e44a43db912"> Conscious Uncoupling: 5 Steps to Living Happily Even After </a> Getty Images

There are things in my life that are hard to reconcile, like divorce. Sometimes it is very difficult to make sense of how it could possibly happen. Laying blame is so easy. I dont have time for hate or negativity in my life. Theres no room for it." Reese Witherspoon, in an interview with <a href="https://parade.com/49840/parade/family-is-all-we-have-in-life/" id="3a333765-7399-3311-a56b-e6a8c7bab785"> Parade </a> Getty Images

If youve made it clear what your real bottom lines are and your partners violated them anyway, then by definition you will not be happy if you stay and you will only be happy if you leave. Quick take: The bottom line is the end of the line." Mira Kirshenbaum, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/too-good-to-leave-too-bad-to-stay-mira-kirshenbaum/1100623275" id="ff75b035-e571-3465-aacc-593f9bb8de21"> Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay: A Step-by-Step Guide to Help You Decide Whether to Stay In or Get Out of Your Relationship </a> Peter Dazeley - Getty Images

When you come out on the other side of this, the amount of power you walk away with is going to blow your fucking mind. Jen Waite, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-beautiful-terrible-thing-jen-waite/1125289092" id="c268e6ad-ae89-3727-aef5-bd359b7104a7"> A Beautiful, Terrible Thing: A Memoir of Marriage and Betrayal </a> Getty Images

"I stopped willing myself to feel strong and started to let in the truth that feeling vulnerable is a condition of living. I would not be able to win my divorce, and I would not be able to win life, either. It suddenly became clear to me that no one had been keeping score except me." Stacy Morrison, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-apart-in-one-piece-stacy-morrison/1100364936" id="e2e7b92b-4d27-3cd9-aff3-e65a51234140"> Falling Apart in One Piece: One Optimist's Journey Through the Hell of Divorce </a> Getty Images

"I had built my life on trying to be all things to all people, and I just couldn't do it anymore." Gwyneth Paltrow, founder of GOOP, in an interview with <a href="https://people.com/celebrity/gwyneth-paltrow-on-chris-martin-split-i-just-sort-of-hit-a-wall/" id="7b949fea-5075-39a8-a88b-9af354955334"> People </a> Getty Images

"It takes two to destroy a marriage." Margaret Trudeau, author of <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/changing-my-mind-zadie-smith/1100315680" id="874e5989-dc6e-35c7-ab08-e7367fddbafc"> Changing My Mind </a> Getty Images

30 Divorce Quotes To Remind You You're Going To Get Through This

Her daughter, A'Lelia Walker, played by Tiffany Haddish, also had a significant role in the success of her mother's company and eventually took over the business. Unfortunately, A'Lelia passed away in 1931 in the same way her mother didfrom hypertension, according to <a href="https://aleliabundles.com/blackpast-org-features-alelia-walker-essay/" id="98cda1fd-1fcc-3cad-a61c-394065a9ad53"> a blog </a> run by Madam C.J. Walker's great-great granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles.

But before she died, A'Lelia Walker accomplished a lot, not just for her mother's company but for the black community at the time. Here's everything we know about Madame C.J. Walker's daughter, A'Lelia Walker.

<h1> A'Lelia was born Lelia McWilliams. </h1>

If you've seen Netflix's Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, then you know all about Sarah Breedlove (a.k.a. Madam C.J Walker), one of America's first self-made female millionaires. The film follows Madam C.J., played by Octavia Spencer, on her journey to developing a <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a31813530/madam-cj-walker-self-made-netflix-inventions-products-today/" id="fa63846f-fe7c-322d-a27a-86214754b949"> black haircare empire </a> . But she didn't do i...

Alexis Jones

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