Convention Fans

One of the most popular topics for discussion on Gaia Online’s cosplay/conventions forum, and Cosplay.com’s forum, is about losing weight for a convention costume. This discussion is mostly related to anime cosplayers, but the points being addressed are applicable to anyone donning a costume for a convention.

Why is this one of the most popular discussion topics? Perhaps part of it is because the characters cosplayers usually wish to dress up as tend to have the Hollywood look - thin and pretty. If we’re talking animated characters, you’re probably looking at some unrealistic Barbie-style proportions too. Just take a look at the picture of the infamous Faye Valentine, from the anime series Cowboy Bebop, to the right.

There is a perception that if you’re going to dress up as the character, that you need to match their body style. How many times have people chastised and teased cosplayers on the Internet or at a convention for not having the perfect body type? It happens all the time, and sometimes the comments can be down right cruel.

But is it wrong to want to slim down for a costume? If someone is at an unhealthy weight to begin with, is using an upcoming event, like a convention, to motivate themselves wrong? Is it any different than someone using a wedding as an excuse to lose weight? There are certainly those who say “love your body” and to just wear a costume that you feel comfortable in, even if you aren’t a size 2.  There is certainly some validity to both arguments, right?

Okay, so you HAVE decided you want to lose weight for an upcoming convention and perhaps a costume. One of the pit falls of the discussions on Gaia and Cosplay.com is that you have a lot of people giving advice - some of it good, some of it wrong, and some of it down right unhealthy and dangerous.

If you decide to try and drop some pounds, here are some things to consider:

- Go see your doctor. Find out what your body mass index (BMI) is, and if everything else is working properly. Tell the doctor about your plans to lose weight. Make sure you don’t have any medical restrictions or health problems that could be exacerbated by changing your diet and rigorous exercise.

- Sign up for TheDailyPlate.com. It is a site that lets you keep a free food diary. It also has a massive database of nutritional information for chain restaurants all over the United States. It will help you see how you well/unhealthy you eat.

- Stay away from diet pills, cleanses, laxatives, “cabbage diets” and other products/diets that claim you’ll lose weight fast. You may lose weight, but you could also be seriously harming your body. Besides, if there was a magic pill, everyone would be taking it and no one would be fat. Obviously that’s not the case, so don’t waste your money.

-  Remember that this will take time and effort. Speaking as someone who successfully lost 50 pounds, it isn’t easy and it isn’t fast. But, it can be done in a safe and healthy way.

- Educate yourself. Don’t take dieting advice from a 15 year old on the Internet. Don’t even take MY advice as gospel. Use medically reliable websites (WebMD) and books (ask your doctor to recommend some), and learn about caloric intake, exercise, and eating right for yourself. Consult a certified trainer or nutritionist if you are able.

Bearing all that in mind, remember that cosplaying and conventions are supposed to be FUN! There will always be people who are skinnier or heavier than you in attendance.  Fandom conventions are about being with people who enjoy similar things, and having a good time - not about working yourself up over your waist line.

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