You may have noticed that there are signs around the Cantrell Center that say “Positive Zone” which in my momma’s words mean “if you don’t have something
Alex McWhorter hops on the treadmill during her lunch break with a fellow co-worker
nice to say, don’t say anything at all”. There are many studies that talk about the power of positivity and how it’s great for your health, happiness and those around you. Today I just want to talk about it as it relates to me here and now.
Some of you have heard that I have decided to do my first triathlon this coming March. It is an Olympic Tri which has a 1500m swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run. While people have said that they admire me for my efforts, I often think I have made a very stupid mistake. I have been training since the last week of September and it has been hard. I have thought about quitting my workouts early or skipping them on several occasions, but I know it will only hurt me in the long run.
In the book The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale says “Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture… Do not build up obstacles in your imagination.” I really love this, but sometimes it’s not enough. I like to think I am strong willed and I would love to say that this is going really smoothly as well as easily, but that my friends, it is not.
The only thing that keeps me going on many occasions are the kind words that family and friends like you all have spoken to me. I can specifically recall a night that I was at the gym running (I hate running). It was a longer run of 4 miles and it was rough. I didn’t want to do it. I thought about giving up the entire time and the only thing I could think about was a happy note that I had gotten from a member. The happy note didn’t have the member’s name on it but they said that I helped them keep going. That they could hear my voice while they swam saying something along the lines of “8 laps, that’s almost 10. 10 laps is so close to a half mile (16laps). Half a mile is so close to 20 laps. 24 is 3/4th of a mile. Keep going! You’re almost there! You can make a mile!” This is what kept me running. A note that my nameless member left me about how I helped them reach their goal helped me reach mine.
I have also seen it in person! Encouraging people to push themselves usually works. As a wellness instructor here it is part of the gig to encourage our members, but why should it just come from the staff here? I think it would be great for our Cantrell Family here to start trying your hardest to encourage those around you while working out together. Working out is hard for all of us no matter where we are in out fitness journey and we can all use the power of positivity.
About the Author
Water Aerobics Instructor and PT Aide, Alex McWhorter, was attracted to the Cantrell Center because of the atmosphwere. Before becoming an employee, Alex was first a member of the Cantrell Center. She lost a substantial amount of weight in 2012 and it all began with the Cantrell Center 5K. Since then, she has shifted from a sedentary lifestyle to an active lifestyle and calls that decision the best one she’s ever made. When asked what she loves most, she said, “I get paid to work out!! And I get to be outside and in the water, two of my favorite things! I also get to make new friends while supporting, coaching, and mentoring others to reach their goal of living a healthier lifestyle.”
