Let's be honest, a lot of female anime characters have absurdly unrealistic body shapes, typically involving a teeny tiny waist and a pair of breasts that make it seem like she'd topple over. It isn't much better for the men. Either the male anime stars are rail thin and tall, or they are insanely muscular. It often seems like there aren't many characters that fall somewhere in between.

So what's a cosplayer to do if the goal is to look as much like the original character as possible?

For many, the decision is to try and lose weight and/or gain muscle. Why? Because there is a perception (by some) in the cosplay community that if you’re going to dress up as the character, that you need to match their body type.

This article is going to sidestep the moral and social issues associated with losing weight to conform with a societal expectation. That's a debate being held on virtually every cosplay website out there. Rather, this article is going try and provide some useful information for those who want to lose weight in a healthy way for an upcoming cosplay. Nothing more.

That being said, I am not a health professional. I did lose over 50 pounds a few years ago in a healthy way, and I've kept it off. I consider that my experience with the subject matter. However, I think you should take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt, including this article, which brings me to Tip #1:

1. Go see your doctor.

Before beginning any significant lifestyle change, it is wise to consult with a health care professional. By doing so, you can 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 adding rigorous exercise. This is also an opportunity to make sure you don't have a thyroid problem that may be prohibiting weight loss efforts. If you have the insurance coverage or means, it may be worth consulting a registered dietitian as well.