Cosplay and Body Image

Good Day!

It is Monday again and that calls for another blog update! A few of you know that I am what is considered a giant nerd. I have lots of fandoms, ships, and interests. I like to participate in these fandoms as well. Every year in my hometown there are a few anime conventions that come about in different months. I've been going to these events since high school but in the last 3 years due to being an adult and being in another state for graduate school I have been unable to attend. This past week I finally had an opportunity to change that.

NekoCon 2010

This weekend was  the Anime Mid-Atlantic Convention in Norfolk. I was so excited I begged two of my dear friends to go with me. Since I have been out of the game I didn't have anything really to wear so I just put on my Totoro shirt and went to the con. Both of my friends have amazing costumes that they showcased and walked around in with me. One of my friends, Kayla even won an award for her work on her and her brother's costumes from D. Gray Man.

Kayla and Ryan Otakon 2016

Dressing up and wearing a costume to be a certain character is called cosplaying. I have only ever cosplayed one character and that was Bilbo Baggins because I am a Hobbit from my very soul. Even though I have only had one cosplay, that does not mean I haven't wanted to do so much more. The problem I face with cosplaying is my body type. For any one who has seen anything animated you know that the proportions of characters are always relatively skinny. I am not skinny. I am not shaped to be a toothpick either. So, cosplaying has always been hard for me. I haven't had any confidence in my body until recently so I never felt that I could really do anything except wear lots of layers and be a round, cozy looking Hobbit.

NekoCon 2013

As I walked around AMA I saw all of these beautiful cosplays of girls smaller, my size, and bigger than me. They didn't care what people thought of their bodies they were just happy to be dressed as some of their favorite characters. I got to thinking more about why I was uncomfortable with the idea and through some thoughts out to my friends. As the day went on I realized I shouldn't be so wary of cosplaying. I want to look like the character yes but it is much more than that. I need to think positively about my body and create a costume that will embody the character but also my confidence. Continuing on my journey to bettering my body, loving my body, and being healthy I am going to start to create costumes so that when NekoCon in November comes around I can believe in myself and enjoy the convention to its fullest. Cosplaying is a great way to show your love for your fandom, characters, and as I've learned yourself. With help from my friend, Kayla I am going to see what I can put together and where we can go from here.

Cosplay and conventions are not just mindless, weird entertainment; they can also be helpful in teaching you important lessons.

Excuses of the Mind

Hi All,

This past week was very difficult for me in terms of keeping to my goals. I did well with eating but I only made it to the gym once last week and swam in my pool only once. I have things available for me and all the time in the world to do them so why is it so hard to stick to it?

Well, I have found that committing to a fitness journey is not about physically being able to do anything. It is all mental. My mind makes excuses or comes up with a good argument for not working out or hitting the gym or not eating that vegetable. Everyone struggles with it. I would rather sit on my butt and finish the episode of Legion I'm on then get up and drive over to the gym for an hour. The thing that gets me is the guilt afterwards. I know I should go but I can't make myself sometimes.

I don't know if anyone else has that same problem but it is the reason I feel behind on my journey. Part of it for me is this state of limbo I am in. Fresh off of graduation, back at my parent's house, and nothing to look forward to currently other than the musings of everyday life here. Unfortunately, that leaves me feeling down and useless. When you feel useless, you have no motivation or drive to go exercise your muscles because your brain has taken over at that point. Each day is a struggle but it is not because I can't push my body to do the things I want, it is all my mind.

So I got to thinking, what are some ways I can exercise my mind and ease the transition in my life? How can I keep my mind straight to make sure I hit the gym, don't eat a whole pan of brownies, and stick to my goals in all aspects of my life? First off it starts with giving yourself some slack (but not too much to where you get lazy!) If you have a rough day, it is okay just start again tomorrow. Don't let other days guilt you or stunt your progress. Every step can be hard. Even if you are extremely dedicated there will be tough days and that is okay. You have to remember to pick yourself back up and continue heading forward. Don't let your excuses take over your life. Don't let your own mind talk you out of anything you are working towards.

I am my own worst enemy but also my biggest supporter. Every day is a fight but I just have to remember I am making progress no matter how small and will reach my goal. I've already come this far and I know you will make it too. So bring it on!