[fatbookworm]

I binged today. A lot. *sighs* My boyfriend (fiance without the ring, really! lol) are starting to think about our wedding next year and I'm feeling really bad about how I look. I know I don't have to look this way by the wedding date, but it just feels so far away. Plus part of me believes I'll never be anything but fat and ugly. That's my low self-esteem gremlin talking, but still. *sighs* This is just a bump in the road, but it still sucks.

[LiannaKole]

A year away is PERFECT. You can do a heck of a lot in a year. If you do it right, you could honestly lose a third of your current body weight (there are examples of that right here on this site).

But you don't have to. I would recommend relaxing a little. Maybe get a mani/pedi, get some new makeup, buy a new outfit that you love. Get more accepting of yourself. Just lose a little weight at a time. Take it slow for a while so it isn't overwhelming. You don't have to lose all the weight now or even ever. And just a few pounds helps a lot in terms of how one feels (at least for me it tends to).

Maybe don't try to lose weight so that you can like yourself better (be it because of how you feel, look, etc.), but instead lose weight BECAUSE you love yourself. If that makes sense. It works way better that way.

Don't let this derail you. You slipped, now get back to it. That's the only way to keep going.

I hope this helps even a little. I've slipped up big time a LOT. It doesn't feel good. But hang in there! It's going to take time and effort for all of us.

And congrats on the engagement!

[Thedollylala]

I'm right there with you we're getting married in march and in the back of my head I feel like I won't be there, just cause I've been at this general weight for so long so I'm feeling your pain just stay strong and dont give in or give up!

[JossFit]

I got engaged last September, and now I'm 35 days away from the wedding! I don't know what it is about weddings, but for some reason we feel all this pressure to look the most beautiful we have ever looked on that day, and be in the best shape we have ever been. Why?

I have been doing less than stellar with my diet more and more lately, and I think it's because of all of this added pressure of the wedding. It's not helping things at all!

What we all need to realize is that our fiances love us for our CURRENT bodies, and they aren't proposing with the idea of watching someone else walk down the aisle. If anything, lose weight for your health and for the person you are promising to be there for... not for looks.

[fatbookworm]

Thank you so much Lianna, Lala, and Joss! Yesterday was rough, and your words of support meant to much! I realize that this is a journey, not a race (although I do gotta make sure I'm ready for my race, too! LOL). And I really like the suggestion about relaxing more. I think it will be easier to work on weight loss if I am not so tense I'm psyching myself out.

My sweetie loves me just the way I am and would hate to see me ruin my health with stress. Our day is about us, and I really need to keep that in mind! Hearing others going through similar things always makes me feel a lot less alone. Thanks again! :-)