What a week I have had.. it swayed me off balance a bit and I'm catching my balance.. even though I'…

[Alyssa]

What a week I have had.. it swayed me off balance a bit and I'm catching my balance.. even though I'm feeling less physically optimal (I got sick after partying and the fact that I'm climbing more and biking less makes my body feel less energized). I think that my emotional balance, however is becoming more stabilized.

I just want to report that I am continuing to make improvements to my diet. I have been off chocolate for all of the summer and having been craving it at all - wonderful! I far prefer craving and eating fruit :)
I am reducing the amount of cheese that I eat as I tend to eat it a lot but do not think that it is making me feel very good in the long run. Dairy is still a huge part of my diet as I love eating yogurt with cereal and nuts in the morning, I love spinach dip, and I love milk in my tea. So that one isn't going anywhere for the moment... perhaps I will be more willing at a later time to reduce my overall dairy intake. I have been eating substantially less meet this summer: I used to eat meat twice per day and now I eat it perhaps 3 times per week. My desire for meat seems to come in waves. Perhaps at a later point I'll be more willing to find sources of meat from healthier animals. My new location is going to make eating well much more possible. The sugar replacements are still a part of diet that makes me feel less integrity.. intuitively I feel that it is bad for me- but I still think it's better than sugar. plus I love gum.

For this coming term, I intend to:
-I intend to go to sleep at more reasonable hours: before 1pm unless I am out partying. I plan on getting out and about int he city more often.
-I intend to work on my phd thesis in a disciplined and efficient manner- the specifics will be decided after I defend this thesis.
-I think that it will be a good idea to work hard in the mornings and take the afternoons to enjoy something fun.
-I intend to do more yoga and stretching and cardio to supplement my climbing
-I intend to make time to go out and meet people at least once per week

A major goal for this coming season is to really develop my integrity in my emotional/sexual life - more to come on this.

xox

[Stephanie]

Hey Alyssa,
your comments about food really struck me - is there a reason why you want to get rid of dairy and meat from your diet? i've suffered from food allergies my entire life and reducing preservatives and processed food from my diet has been key. i feel great and look good too. my reactions to other foods have decreased as i got rid of preservatives. i just keep things balanced and in correct portion sizes now and it's great.
good luck with everything!