Got my engagement pics. Ugh...

Girl I see nothing wrong with your pictures. You look beautiful and so does your family. Take a deep breath you have time to lose the weight you want before your wedding. Sending positives vibes your way, I hope you feel better!

Thank you everyone. I think I'm fine now, I just got overwhelmed with what I was seeing. Going to try the food log and look into whole 30. You guys are awesome!

How much do your exercise or how much do you watch your diet? Honestly 20 mins of exercises only burns 100-200 calories. A solid hour of cardio every day and you'll see a good difference after 6-8 weeks.

same with eating healthy. A salad with a fatty dressing like ranch isn't too healthy. A small fry instead of a large is still fries. If you want to lose weight you have to be REALLY disciplined which is why it's so hard! You need to decide what's best for you, putting that work in or being happy with your current self.

@nowASeptMrs I know how to eat healthy, I rarely eat fried foods (once a month tops). I exercise but I'm limited as I have back problems. An hour of cardio isn't really an option for me. Piyo and walking is what I do. And sometimes I can't finish because of my back. Just depends on the day!

You look amazing!

You look great! We are our harshest critics. Don't be so hard on yourself.

U look beautiful......

You're beautiful. It's so easy to self-criticize. I wish you could see what we see when we look at your pictures.

I second @WWLaura!

I think your being hard on yourself. I love the pics.

You're being way too hard on yourself. You look stunning!

I felt the exact same way in two of my outfits. I'm trying to get back on track. I wanna lose like 15lbs

You guys look great.

FWIW, it seem as though your photographer is worth his/her salt. He/she is using a lot of the proper techniques to de-emphasize a larger figure including posing and lighting.

Laura, you look beautiful and happy! I understand wanting to look a little different, though, and being frustrated with vague "move more" tips. The really great news is that you have until next February and that is plenty of time to make some changes.

I would recommend 2 things:

1, like other ladies have said, use a food scale. You don't have to measure everything forever, but it is super helpful, especially if you're like me and not great at eyeballing.

2, resistance training. If you learn to brace your core and use your glutes to take pressure off your back, you might be able to do more than you think. Let me know if you'd like more specific suggestions; I don't want to hijack the whole thread!

Awww I think you look lovely!!! Honestly and truly

But I know how you FEEL is whats most important. I still think the journal could be helpful. Honestly, sometimes I 'forget' about snacks and such and mindlessly munching can lead to a lot of calories. Even what Jo said... You can still eat too much of something thats good for you and it could lead to weight gain (not saying you are, just things that I have experienced myself)

Most importantly for starters, even if you don't drink caloric liquids... try upping your water intake. A LOT. That can really do wonders for you. I'm talking like, working your way up to a gallon a day!

And really.. I think you are BEAUTIFUL and you look fantastic and so very happy in your photos

I think you look great (and happily in love!)

If you're not happy with the way you look, I feel like all of these people saying "you look great" doesn't mean shit, y'know? FH tells me I'm beautiful all the time, but if that's not what I see in the mirror, then that's not what I see and it still matters what -I- think.

If walking is all you can do, then do that. Do a little more every day. lift weights. try yoga! it's awesome! I hope it works out for you. I've got a similar goal by my wedding as well..

Edit: I own a fitbit and log food in there, and have signed up for a 5k in two weeks. Now I'm accountable for something so I HAVE to do it and while i'm nervous, I know I'll be proud of doing it even if I'm the last one across the finish line.

Um, your photos are gorgeous.

Your pictures look great! I think you are being too hard on yourself. If you want to lose weight, I've always found that when I focus on being healthy and strong instead of skinny, I lose weight and feel better about myself. I also feel less bloated that way because I don't feel inclined to eat "diet foods" which make me feel bloated.

You are beautiful. I worried about looking old in my photos because I am in mid-40s . I don't look like a 25 yr old in person and I didn't in my bridal portrait pics. But I am, what I am. I am the woman that he wants to marry. You are the woman your FH wants to marry. Love yourself regardless of your weight, age, color or whatever.