As retired gymnasts, we all share a special bond with each other. Because there has always been so few competitive gymnasts, whenever we found someone else who was a gymnast, an automatic friendship was formed. Although we sometimes may miss the stench of hairspray that would linger in our hair for 5-6 months straight during competition season, the dent in our hair from always wearing a ponytail, the bruises on our legs from splitting the beam way too many times, and the rips on our hands from being forced to do 5 sets of 5 giants with a half-pirouette on the low-bar, not having to go to practice all day, every day has it's perks. However, deep-down, we all would be more than happy to do it all over.
1. Working out has always been a habit
As gymnasts, we have been doing (intense) conditioning ever since we were little. Because of this, we feel obligated to destroy ourselves at the gym, or else we feel like something is missing. Also, we want to keep those good bodies we had in shape, right?
2. We can play almost any sport (well, besides those that involve a ball)
After retiring from gymnastics, it's not difficult to switch to a sport like diving, dance, cheer leading, running, or swimming because we already posses the strength and endurance to excel in those sports. However, playing a sport like soccer may not be so easy. No one really knows why, but once you're a gymnast, you become TERRIBLE at any sport that involves passing, kicking, or throwing a ball.
3. We eat everything
Wendy's, Ben & Jerry's, Chipotle, cake, movie theater popcorn, say no more. We have close to no preference. After being on a strict diet of only healthy food for years, eating anything that has almost no nutrients and is extremely unhealthy is like taking a bite of heaven (yes, the pun was very much intended). Not only to we just eat it, we DEVOUR it.
4. We can finally get our nails done
After being confined to keeping short, nail-polish free nails for the majority of the year, it's a blessing to finally get those acrylic french tips guilt-free. Nonetheless, we get way too excited about it too.
5. We can finally go out on Friday nights and sleep-in on Saturday mornings
Being a competitive gymnast in high school means missing every Friday-night football game, and then having to wake-up at 8 A.M. every Saturday morning for a 9-2:30 practice. As a retired gymnast, being able to spend time with your friends on Friday nights and then sleeping-in on Saturday mornings is something we're eternally grateful for.
6. We would do anything to do it all again
Despite the ridiculous practice hours, the strict coaching, the throbbing palms, the 7-bazillion injuries, and the headaches from having our ponytails so tight, deep down we wish more than anything that we could practice and compete again. Our teams and our coaches were our families, and our gyms were our second homes. We all know there's no better feeling than landing that new skill, or sticking the landing after a competition routine. As much as we said we hated our lives during competitions when we didn't do well or the countless bar routines we had to do despite the blood on our grips, or the tears we shed on the way to practice because we were too fatigued to endure 5 hours of gymnastics, there was never anything more comforting than doing the sport you love.
