Marissa's Thursday weigh-in: 283.0 (-24.6)

This has been an extremely hectic week, and I feel guilty for not posting as regularly as I had planned. Work has really been picking up, and once I get home I have just enough time to take Aníbal to the dog park, fix dinner, spend time with my husband and go to bed.

I've declared Thursday as my weigh-in day, for no particular reason. I've come down 4 pounds since last week, which I'm thrilled about, but I'm eager to get out of the 280s once and for all. Prior to last Thursday, I hadn't weighed myself in two or three weeks, and I was conviced that I was well into the 270s, judging by how my clothes were fitting and the daily "you-look-so-skinny" comments from my husband. Needless to say, I was slapped back into reality. This week, however, I'm determined to work hard and finally break out of my plateau. I plan to go to the gym everyday except for this coming Sunday, and really watch the calories I'm consuming. It's so true how you can easily go over budget if you're not careful. This weekend's challenge will be Nairobi's baby shower on Sunday, where there will surely be all kinds of antojitos dominicanos. I can't say I'll be able to pass up some empanadas or other goodies, but I definitely will do my best to behave.

My 5-ingredient challenge is coming along. I haven't totally eliminated processed food from my diet, but I'm certainly moving in that direction. This is a huge change that will take some getting used to, but I'm up for the challenge.

Here's to a sucessful week!