Keep a door or window open when you’re showering. Alternately, run a dehumidifier or portable fan after showering. If you have a vent fan, run it before, during, and after your shower.  For example, turn on your vent fan before a morning shower, and keep it running until you leave for the day. Even when the mirror is no longer foggy, there can still be moisture in the air. Mold and mildew thrive where it’s warm, airless and damp. Dry wet grout thoroughly after using moisture in the kitchen or bathroom. Keep a squeegee in the bathroom and squeegee the walls and floor after showering. Using a squeegee after showering will cut down on surface buildup. Add ten drops of tea tree oil to a clean spray bottle filled with water. Keep the spray bottle in the bathroom and use the “mist” setting to spray tiles and grout after showering. You should perform this on a small test area first to make sure there is no negative effect. Spread out any wet or damp towels so they can totally dry. For rooms that face a lot of moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms, opt for synthetic materials, since they hold less moisture. For example, choose polyester or vinyl for items like bathmats and curtains. Spray the grout monthly with an anti-fungal solution. For example, fill a spray bottle with one part water to one part white vinegar. Spray and wipe down the grout. Let the solution dry naturally rather than rinsing it off. If your grout is in a bathroom, clean soap scum weekly.

Summary: Cut down on moisture. Wipe tiles and grout after showering or cooking. Spray diluted tea tree oil regularly as a mold preventative. Keep nearby fabrics dry. Clean routinely to prevent mold.


Imagine you are trying to stop yourself from peeing. These are your pelvic floor muscles. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles just enough to identify them. Give them a slight squeeze and hold it. As you hold, notice where the muscles are located and how it feels to squeeze them. This may feel very odd to you if you have never done kegels before. Keep in mind that it becomes easier and more natural with practice. Now that you have identified the muscles required to raise your pelvic floor, release them and inhale as you do so. This will help your pelvic floor drop. You should feel a sensation like your pelvic floor is moving downwards. Let it go completely.  Remember that dropping your pelvic floor is the same action you use when you pee or poop, so relaxing these muscles should feel good. You can relax your pelvic floor muscles for as long as you are able. Try counting to 5 if this is your first time and work up to relaxing them for 10 or even 15 seconds. If you want to intensify the stretch that you get from a reverse kegel, do them while you are lying down and lift your hips up as you breathe in and release. This will allow the pelvic floor muscles to lengthen even more and deepen the stretch. Do not tilt your hips. Just lift them off the ground slightly. To get the most benefit from reverse kegels, it is helpful to practice them daily. Aim for 3 sets of 10 repetitions and add more reps and sets as your pelvic floor muscles get stronger. Only repeat the release portion of the exercise unless you need to re-identify your pelvic floor muscles. If you experience discomfort and can only handle doing a few of these at first, that is fine! Start wherever you are comfortable and work up from there.

Summary: Contract your pelvic floor muscles enough to identify them. Release the muscles to let your pelvic floor drop. Lift your hips up to improve the stretch if you are lying down. Repeat the exercise 10 times and do 3 sets daily.


When you wear your cosplay, chances are, you will get someone asking to take your picture. Rather than just standing there, consider striking an Itachi-like pose. This will help make you look even more like the character. Fighting stances are always great options, if you can hold them. Another option is to angle your body towards the camera slightly and mimic one of his hand seals. Itachi is a skilled, stern warrior, but he does not maintain eye contact with anyone unless he plans on interacting with them. If you really want to wow fellow cosplayers, you could try walking through the convention with purpose and determination, avoiding all eye contact. If you spot someone you want to talk to, try to get their attention by making eye contact before walking over to them. Itachi is cold, stern, and quiet. He does not talk much, nor does he show much emotion. Try to keep a straight face and your voice calm and level. If you do talk, keep your language smart and polished; this is a nod to the intelligent side of Itachi. Itachi is non-confrontational. If another cosplayer tries to initiate a play fight with you, try to avoid it or walk away (in character, of course!). A lot of anime characters have exaggerated personalities. That’s what makes them so fun on screen. In real life, however, this can end up being really annoying (if the character is hyper) or downright hurtful (if the character is mean or violent). It is perfectly fine to play off of Itachi’s coldness and seriousness, but don’t take it so far to the point where you actually hurt others. Remember, there is a distinct line between real life and anime. Lots of people like to get into character when they cosplay. You will often see characters from the same anime interacting with each other at a convention. There is nothing wrong with this, and it can be lots of fun. Be aware that not everyone will want to play along with you. If you try to interact with another ‘’Naruto’’ character and they don’t respond, stop and move on.  Don’t force people to interact or role play with you. Look for body language. If someone looks or acts uneasy, leave them be. You don’t have to become a black belt in martial arts, but they will help give you a better understanding of how to pose as him. Fighting styles to consider include: Judo, kickboxing, and boxing. Another benefit to martial arts is that they can help whip you into shape and unwind after a long, hard day. Cosplaying is for everyone, regardless of their gender, race, or body type. If you want to look just like the character, however, consider starting a workout regime to help build some lean muscle. How far in advance you do this depends on what your starting build is, and what your goal is. Don’t push yourself, however. Remember, Itachi is an anime character, and his exactly weight/height/build won’t be realistic or possible for everyone.  You don’t have to spend hours at the gym or starve yourself. In fact, this is not recommended at all. An easy way to get into shape is to maintain a healthy diet with lots of fruits, veggies, lean protein, and healthy grains. Do a few hours of light exercise, such as walking, weekly.
Summary: Watch the anime to get some ideas for poses. Learn Itachi’s physical quirks and try to mimic them when walking around. Try mimicking Itachi’s personality quirks when interacting with others. Focus on the good side of Itachi and tone down the bad. Know when it is and isn’t appropriate to act like Itachi Uchiha. Consider learning martial arts to help you get more ideas for poses. Consider getting into shape.