I count myself very lucky that the sport I fell in love with isn't as size-restrictive as many of the other out there. While it's true, being small can give you an advantage in team and pas de deux routines and can sometimes increase the types and amount of skills you can perform for flexability purposes, you by no means have to be rail thin to vault. In fact, one of the most important things in this sport is power and for that you need muscle. I do hope to be able to be a flier sometimes and since I'm not a very steady base right now I end up being the one standing on someone else or being held up in group routines. For this reason, I do sometimes wish I was lighter like another of the girls but I'm glad I have a choice and way more wiggle room than would be provided in ballet or gymnastics. Our coach has always been awesome in that way too. He's never made a comment one way or the other about any of our sizes and I can't thank him enough for that. I put enough pressure on myself and definitely don't need anyone else doing it for me.
All of this came to my mind during a shopping trip I took with one of my best friends today. We were trying on bras (TIM I know but bear with me) and I noticed I looked trimmer around the middle. I tend to avoid mirrors, particularly when I don't have clothes on, so I hadn't noticed this before and can't really say when it all happened. My friend commented that it looked like I'd lost weight, which was awesome for me. Since I never step on a scale, I can't know if she's right but I definitely noticed more definition in my abs and less fat on my back and sides. Of all the things vaulting has done for me, who knew it would actually make me (in my eyes) more attractive! It is a little known fact that there is a HUGE difference between being skinny and being in shape. Now thanks to vaulting, I'm on my way to being both. :)
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