HI guys,

I hate losing weight. I'm already fit. In fact, I never really needed to lose weight, but just correct my eating habits. (I know, already most of you will HATE me because I never had to) Thats the ONLY reason I'm here.

BUT- I have a job during Halloween this year.. and it requires me to fit into a costume of a certain size. It's kinda small. Here's my stats- I have a 26 inch waist, my Hips are around 33 inches and my bust is around 32. I wear sizes 0-2, 25-26, EUR 34-36 and such.... I'm a relatively petite size and I have a BMI of 19.5 (lower range of "Healthy"). My body fat is about 18%. Now, this job won't allow me to retire, but it's enough for food for a month and I love entertaining little kiddies. I have to lose around 5-10 lbs to fit that costume (As of now, I can barely squeeze in, but I bet it will fit -7 ish lbs later), which means my BMI will be the higher range of "underweight".

SHould I do it? I don't want to sacrifice my health or anything. I don;t want anyone yelling at me because Hollywood actors/actresses do it all the time. It's not like I'm going to have a drastic change, but a few lbs makes a BIG difference on a small person like me. I'm not looking to lose a lot of weight, but I'm not quite sure HOW i'd lose that weigh if I'm already healthy. Anyone ever had to lose weight temporarily? How do I go about this safely? SHould I exercise more? What about gaining it back? Do I eat more or exercise less after Halloween??

I want to add this- I'm not terribly thin- I'm relatively FIT but the reason why the costume WON'T fit is because of my thighs- they are a little out of proportion and I can't spot-reduce my thighs with these exercises. I do alot of thigh and leg exercises but they can't get any smaller. They just build more muscle, which is harder to squeeze in the costume than fat.

The closer you are to your ideal weight, the harder it is to lose weight. An 18.5 isn't a "lower range of healthy" it is the LOWEST range of healthy. If you lose weight, there's no guarantee you will lose weight in your thighs.

It's a costume, isn't it possible to find an alternative costume in your size? If it's a cat, can you be a devil or whatever?

LOL Glory I asked the stage producers if we could switch my costume or get it altered, and they said that they couldn't get my costume re-fitted because they no longer carry the material used to make the lining (the inside) and they also said purchasing another one was too expensive (This costume cost them more than $350 to make, or at least they told me so). As for switching it, they seem a little reluctant because this costume (a teddy bear, by the way) was always used. It was meant to fit a small woman, we're talking child size woman, and I thought I was small. But you know, I figured a few extra lbs off me temporarily won't do much harm, would it?

- oh by the way, I made a mistake- My BMI sn't 18.5- its actually 19.5 and I fixed that typo. Thanks for pointing it out!

I'm with what Glory said. You can't guarantee you'll lose it off your thighs. So I'd question why you would put yourself down to an unhealthy weight (no matter how it's done) if the end result may STILL not enable you to fit the costume.

I think I'd rather look into a support garment instead.

Yeah, that was my first resort.

I know I can't spot reduce, but I was at one point 10 lbs lighter than I am now and I GUESS I COULD SAY that my thighs were thinner, but you are right, there still is a chance I can't fit the costume even if I lose weight. I'm still puzzled but I guess I have about one more week to think about it. Personally, I'd have no problem gaining it back. This isn't going to be one of those crash diets.

Did anyone see The Machinist? CHristian Bale got down to around 120 lbs for the movie (he's about 6'3). I won't consider a drastic measure like that but I'm just saying, people DO do this.

Christian Bale lost his weight by a very simple tactic I read: he ate 1 can of tuna and 1 apple a day. And had doctor supervision... Personally, I think lots of spandex is more appealing

Ummm...your hips are 33". You are already TINY TINY TINY TINY TINY. There is no way I would try to lose more temporarily for a "bear costume". A movie where you are getting paid millions to do it is ONE thing...and they have doctors and trainers that supervise actors when they do things like that. I would imagine that the money and the trainers/doctors are not a perk here.

I wouldn't attempt it at all. There are OTHER jobs. I would try the support garments...or another job.

Hello everyone, thanks for your input. I decided to settle for a cheaper paying job at the same production- I'm going to be the stage hand. We get to wear all black and lift heavy stuff. Teehee, not exactly entertaining little kids but at least I'm involved in it.. and eat whatever I want still.. . I don't know how they're going to get someone to fit that costume. Its just so small! The other girls that auditioned weren't even that tiny. God I envy that person who gets to wear the costume... and the $200/ show paycheck!

Why on earth did they make the costume that small?

Did they make it for a 12-year-old Lilliputian or what?

I mean, criminy, I bet your average brown bear has much larger underwear sizing needs than hips of 33"

I SHOULD SCREAM THAT AT THE MANAGEMENT and PRODUCERS!! Even a small kiddie bear should be bigger than I am! I'm really jealous of the person who gets to be this bear.. not jealous of his/her size but really just for the $200 bucks per night and the chance to perform on stage (I never got the chance, not since grade school).. It's strange, I heard that they still didn't anyone to fit the costume, but they still have 1 month+ to find that person... I won't be that person though...

Thats okay- I'll be nice and strong moving the whole stage set around from all the food I CAN eat!

I have an 8 year old daughter that might fit into the costume...

I'd tell them GOOD LUCK in finding an adult with smaller hips than 33".