A cry for help!

That is quite a tall order. But stop for a minute and breath! You can make anything happen if you put your mind to it. First you need a plan! What changes can you easily make? Like do you drink soda? Give it up and replace it with water. Bam 5-10 pounds gone easily. As for how much water should you drink well try this article and it can help you calculate http://www.slenderkitchen.com/how-to-calculate-how-much-water-you-should-drink-a-day/

As for what to eat, that is up to you. You need to figure out how many calories you can have a day to reach your goal by February and then you eat to maintain that goal. At first it seems like you can eat whatever you want, but you will learn you will go hungry by the end of the day because things eat up your calories fast. I personally try to stay away from white flours, eat lots of vegetables and fruit, and lean proteins.

This goes back to the getting a Plan part of this. You need to plan everyday what you are going to eat ahead of time so you are put in situations where you don't know what to eat. That is when the bad things happen. I would love to help you along the way. Feel free to add me as a friend.

Depending on whether your wedding is at the beginning or end of February, you're talking about a 3.3 to 5.5 pound a week average loss for a period of several months. That means eating between 1650 and 2750 calories below what you need for maintenance EVERY DAY. That's probably not a realistic goal, even with the amount of weight you have to lose (150 lbs total). It's also not a good idea to attempt that without medical supervision, and medical supervision doesn't mean getting a general practitioner or internist with little to no training in nutrition or healthy weight loss to see you once at the beginning of your journey to say, "yes, it would be good for you to lose some weight, " or even, "yes, it would be good for you to lose 50 [or 150] lbs."

You say you want to be healthy, so please try to make the first step on your weight loss journey a healthy one. Use the MFP calculator to figure out your daily calorie budget for a 2 lb a week loss, then plan a few days of meals at that budget (I'm not saying eat them, I'm saying log a few days ahead to see what that looks like). Then try cutting another 1000 calories from each day that you've logged (which should put you in the mid-range of that 1650--2750 deficit I mentioned above for your 50-60 lbs weight loss goal by February, although to be honest it still might not be enough if the initial goal that MFP gives you for 2 lbs a week is 1200, since that is the minimum that MFP will give you, even if it's not enough to lose 2 lbs a week).

Look at the food (if any) that is left. Can you honestly say you think that is a healthy way to eat for three to four months? How do you think you will feel eating that little for so long? I wouldn't count on being able to eat back exercise calories, because at that big a deficit, it's extremely unlikely you'll have the energy to do any meaningful exercise. If you find yourself saying that you think that you think you can eat that little for three to four months, show the log to some friends, family, and the medical/nutrition expert you're consulting before you start.

Now add the extra 1000 calories you cut from those pre-logged days. Doesn't that look more like something you could stick with through February and beyond, as you try to lose the rest of the weight? Two pounds a week should have you 22 to 30 pounds lighter by the wedding (depending on what part of February the wedding date is in), or maybe a tiny bit more as people often shed some water weight at the beginning of the process. It may not seem like a lot when you had a number twice that large in our head, but just think that it's one-sixth of the way to your ultimate goal. By your first anniversary, you could be more than two-thirds of way to your ultimate goal of losing 150 lb, even assuming that you reduce the deficit to lose at a slower pace as you get closer to goal weight.

Losing that much weight that fast would not be healthy. However, what I would suggest is focusing less on the weight loss and more on getting toned. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat, so as you workout and turn fat into muscle, your weight loss will be slow but you'll become more and more toned. I would focus on something more realistic, like maybe 20lbs, but with the goal of toning your body.

Since you have a total of 150 lbs to lose, a third of that amount (50) would be doable in 3-4 months. Many people on here have done that successfully. The weight loss rate slows down after the first 30-40%, so don't expect it to continue at that rate. But having a wedding is a good motivational goal to get the first chunk of weight off.
So I say, go for it!

Depending on whether your wedding is at the beginning or end of February, you're talking about a 3.3 to 5.5 pound a week average loss for a period of several months. That means eating between 1650 and 2750 calories below what you need for maintenance EVERY DAY. That's probably not a realistic goal, even with the amount of weight you have to lose (150 lbs total). It's also not a good idea to attempt that without medical supervision, and medical supervision doesn't mean getting a general practitioner or internist with little to no training in nutrition or healthy weight loss to see you once at the beginning of your journey to say, "yes, it would be good for you to lose some weight, " or even, "yes, it would be good for you to lose 50 [or 150] lbs."

You say you want to be healthy, so please try to make the first step on your weight loss journey a healthy one. Use the MFP calculator to figure out your daily calorie budget for a 2 lb a week loss, then plan a few days of meals at that budget (I'm not saying eat them, I'm saying log a few days ahead to see what that looks like). Then try cutting another 1000 calories from each day that you've logged (which should put you in the mid-range of that 1650--2750 deficit I mentioned above for your 50-60 lbs weight loss goal by February, although to be honest it still might not be enough if the initial goal that MFP gives you for 2 lbs a week is 1200, since that is the minimum that MFP will give you, even if it's not enough to lose 2 lbs a week).

Look at the food (if any) that is left. Can you honestly say you think that is a healthy way to eat for three to four months? How do you think you will feel eating that little for so long? I wouldn't count on being able to eat back exercise calories, because at that big a deficit, it's extremely unlikely you'll have the energy to do any meaningful exercise. If you find yourself saying that you think that you think you can eat that little for three to four months, show the log to some friends, family, and the medical/nutrition expert you're consulting before you start.

Now add the extra 1000 calories you cut from those pre-logged days. Doesn't that look more like something you could stick with through February and beyond, as you try to lose the rest of the weight? Two pounds a week should have you 22 to 30 pounds lighter by the wedding (depending on what part of February the wedding date is in), or maybe a tiny bit more as people often shed some water weight at the beginning of the process. It may not seem like a lot when you had a number twice that large in our head, but just think that it's one-sixth of the way to your ultimate goal. By your first anniversary, you could be more than two-thirds of way to your ultimate goal of losing 150 lb, even assuming that you reduce the deficit to lose at a slower pace as you get closer to goal weight.

excellent advice here!!

Just wanted to add: Please don't read the comments (mine included) that are recommending a lower goal for the wedding date as discouragements. We're rooting for you. We just don't want to see you set an unachievable, unhealthy goal that sets you up for failure and leads you to abandon the long-term goal. It's the long-term goal that's important, right?

There is some good advice here! But it sounds like you are putting alot of pressure on yourself! When we do that it makes it harder to achieve our goals.... Just remember this man you are marrying loves you just the way you are!!! Wanting to make yourself healthy is a great thing, but it takes time. So be patient with yourself and know your future husband loves you for you, he'll be proud of you when you get there
I would just plug your numbers into MFP and see what they recommend, try to stick with whole foods (fruits, veggies, lean proteins) Remeber a serving of a cooked whole grain (ex brown rice) should only be about 1/2 cup. They say you should shoot to drink half your body weight in ounces of water! Ditch white potatoes and replace them with sweet potatoes! Stay away from processed foods! These are a few general rules of things to do while trying to lose weight! They have worked for me!
I'm sure there are exercise programs you could do, try a DVD at home and see how it goes! Good luck, and congrats on your wedding!

When I was younger and has a young family, I lost 32lbs in 5 months and that was all I had to lose so I believe you can do it. 50 by your wedding sounds realistic to me. I think figuring out your calories intake is your first step. Then I would not try to incorporate a bunch of diet foods in. I would start with healthy choices and don't skip any meals thinking it is faster. Once you have your diet down, add some exercise. Since you have a significant amount to lose you don't want to get injured so I would start with daily walks. Maybe start with 30 minutes a day and by the end of the month have it up to 1 hour. If you can't make it to the gym, buy some light weights and start with some simple free weights. Do arm exercises. You can also try the pool. You don't have to swim in the beginning. Just do simple leg and arm exercises in the water. It is fun and easy to do. Personally I do best in the winter months. I guess because I know how damaging those holiday treats can be. So I give myself my own Christmas gifts excluding any food. Did you know you can find the calorie intake on almost any food in a restraunt? Yesterday I avoided the pizza but had a small piece of flat bread with a super yummy cranberry salad while out with the grandsons. Last week I had another yummy salad with a Thai Curry Soup. Got the soup at the noodle company. 210 calories.
MY overall point is this. Hang in there no matter what. A little success is much better than none at all. We all feel down on ourselves. I now have 70lbs to lose and I'm trying to lose it for a Hawaii trip. I too waited too long. It's not going to happen, but I will lose some and less than 3 weeks back into this I feel better. To me, feeling better is half the challenge.
Friend me if you think I can be a positive support for you. There is so much advice here that is great and a big help but one of the most important support tools is the encouragement of others.

I agree with everyone else about the health aspect. Just stick to the plan ... workout (even if its just walking), stay under your calories and you will see a change. I have only lost 14 lbs but my face looks slimmer, my clothes are looser, my skin looks better! Those are all NON SCALE VICTORIES!

I know that a wedding is importnat, but if you do it the right way you can lose all the weight you want and have amazing anniversary photos and fun renewing vows parties!

I think your fiance loves you now, how you are, hold on to that and improve!! Feel free to write me if you ever need to vent or want to share some success!

if you have 150 pounds to lose, then you should be able to lose a larger amount of weight at first than a lot of people. im not being rude, but the larger you are, the faster the weight loss in the begining. if you are upwards of 300 pounds, then you should be able to lose 2 pounds a week, easily, possibly 3 with hard work and exercise! lets say you have 16 weeks until your wedding, thats a loss of 32-48 pounds... but like i said, thats 100% dedication... better get to work!

if you have 150 pounds to lose, then you should be able to lose a larger amount of weight at first than a lot of people. im not being rude, but the larger you are, the faster the weight loss in the begining. if you are upwards of 300 pounds, then you should be able to lose 2 pounds a week, easily, possibly 3 with hard work and exercise! lets say you have 16 weeks until your wedding, thats a loss of 32-48 pounds... but like i said, thats 100% dedication... better get to work!

Agreed. I started at 300lbs in late July '12 and by the end of Sept '12 had lost 30lbs (over about ten weeks). However, after that initial first push, i joined MFP and I stayed at a 2lb per week loss and now, closer to goal, I only try for .5lb loss a week. Too aggressive of a deficit is not sustainable long term. But as someone else commented, think more in terms of your first anniversary. Much progress can be made in a year of hard work and dedication, both myself, and the lady I am quoting, are living proof of that.