Feeling insecure and ugly

Mama, remember your FH thinks you are the most beautiful woman in the world! I will be 35 on my second Marriage and largest I’ve ever been outside of pregnancy. I feel much the same, you are not alone.
The wedding industry preys on our insecurities by marketing with images of bodies and expensive weddings most of us don’t need and can’t afford.
You need to be very proud of what weight you have lost and focus on being healthy! I know all this is easier said than done, I am walking in your shoes. Just make healthy choices and love yourself. Put down the wedding blogs and focus on your marriage. Much love!

I know how you feel but that's such a great accomplishment that you lost weight! I'm 170 but I'm on the thicker side. My stomach, rolls, arms, fat face, etc. I wasn't like this before the military and most military experiences are positive as far as weight but I was never one for self motivation and it shows. I'll be 32 on our wedding day and it's my 2nd marriage as well.

I always talk about losing weight and then the next minute I'm shoving my face with a pizza. I honestly can't stand to look at myself in the mirror sometimes and the worst part for me is the clothes I have in my closet. They used to fit great once upon a time and now I'm always in a sweater.

I applaud you for setting a goal to lose weight and achieving it. It's hard but definitely something to still be proud of. Everything will work out for you whether you stay the weight you are now or continue to lose. Although I said everything above, I'm trying my hardest to believe the same. You are not alone!

Enjoy YOUR day, sweetie! Don't doubt yourself! Congratulations on the weight you have lost. Your FH loves you for you!!!

Hang in there hun! The longer I am engaged, the more I start to think that weddings are a huge stronghold of body image issues. Everywhere I look, everyone seems to be trying to tell me I need to lose weight and be a delicate flower for wedding photos. It took me a long time to be happy with my body- and I am trying not to let the wedding industry undo that. Find what makes you feel beautiful- you do not have a to a 20 year old blond waif to have a beautiful start to your marriage. You are perfect already

Insecurities creep up on everyone but don’t let it ruin this special time for you and your FH. Dwell inside the positive aspects of your relationship and your awesome weight loss achievement! Give yourself a pep talk in the mirror every morning even when you’re feeling down and you’ll soon find your thoughts start to shift to more positive self-love!

I know how you feel and my heart goes out to you. I'm 31 and I used to be extremely active. I worked in an extremely physical career field, would bike 50 miles every other weekend, belonged to a rock climbing club, hiked/backpacked every chance I had in all seasons, etc. In 2012 I was seriously injured and am now permanently disabled. I'm 5'1 and I gained 40lbs, lost my career (had to retire), lost my hobbies and stress coping activities, and lost my self confidence. It is something that I struggle with every day.

I'm having a hard time even thinking about myself dressed up as a bride. I know exactly what you mean when you say "I am feeling very insecure and ugly like I'm not pretty enough to be a bride". A part of me keeps telling myself that I am going to just make a fool of myself by trying to be beautiful, like a pig in white dress. Arguing with your own mind is an awful thing and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I look at my fiancé, whom I think is a stud muffin, and feel inadequate in so many ways. It's a deep dark hole and easy to get sucked in to that abyss of depression. Mental health is a very serious issue and should be taken just as seriously as any physical illness/ailment. I attend counseling and it absolutely helps. I pay more attention to my thoughts and when they start to go down that negative road, I redirect. I remind myself of all of the blessings that I have in my life and how tomorrow isn't guaranteed. It sounds so much easier than it is. For me personally, I also feel extremely guilty and selfish on top of it. That I have no right to feel depressed and "sorry for myself" because there are so many other people out there that have it much worse off than I, so I must be a terrible person for feeling the way I do. It's a vicious cycle that will keep pulling you down. You've got to fight hun. Fight for every happy moment, every kiss, every laugh, every smell of cookies baking, every warm summer breeze, every good hair day, every time the traffic light turns green right when you get to it... fight.

You are not alone, and you are more than welcome to vent here. Sometimes, just knowing that we aren't the only ones that feel this way helps. Better days are coming sweetheart. One day at a time.

I am so sorry you are feeling this ways but think about how wonderful you are to your FH. I know we live in a world where you have to have the perfect body in order to fit but that's not true. I struggled with body insecurity when I was in middle school, I was the super skinny girl that nobody would look at because they liked "thicker" ones and it wasn't easy but I had to learn that I needed to love myself before I thought of anyone else. You are beautiful no matter who tells you otherwise. Focus on your accomplishments and every morning look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself kind, empowering words and a lot of self love. It wont be easy but trust me, I will be worth it. You will feel like a true princess. I am sending you a lot of love

You still have plenty of time to lose any weight you may want to lose. And if you are too old, then so am I. I unfortunately did not lose the weight I wanted to...in fact, I gained weight. I feel just like you do, and am so disappointed in myself. Now I'm trying to work on "acceptance." I hope you are able to feel like a pretty bride!