Candice Paradon
To introduce myself, my name is Candice, and besides a brief moment in time being a cheerleader (Go Rams!) I have not been athletic in any part of my life until 2019. That was the year I became curious about exercise from a health perspective and not a weight loss one. I had seen a photo of myself and didn’t think the woman in the photo was looking how I felt inside. I felt youthful but the person in the photo looked tired and frumpy. It was taken when I was walking and I remember how out of breath I was. I knew I needed a change but didn’t know where to start.
My first step in the right direction was getting a fit bit which helped me be more aware of my daily steps and how much movement I was getting. I gave myself a goal of 10,000 steps a day and over that summer I started a walking club to meet weekly at a local track. Usually, it was me, myself and I. Once in a while, a friend would join me. Whether I was alone or in good company, I stayed on track until I didn’t. My FitBit didn’t last long and when it was time for a replacement I saved my money and with the help of family and friends I bought myself an Apple Watch for my birthday. Another stepping stone. I closed my rings every day for 5 and a half months until I had an ankle injury. It was hard to get consistent after that. One day in early 2022, I was caught in a doom scroll and saw someone share about 100 Days to Slay on Instagram. I looked into it more and decided to join for the next round and folks, I was hooked! I loved the daily check-in that helped to hold me accountable and the encouragement I received from the Daily Slay Club community. Daily movement became a non-negotiable for me and I noticed a change in more ways than one. My reflexes were quicker, I could keep up with my kids, I felt more alert and I was sleeping better. I would end one challenge and be eager to start the next. One of the many things that is so great about this group is that the only commitment I had to make was moving my body intentionally for 30 minutes a day, and I got to choose how. Recognizing that as long as I was moving, whether it be walking, hiking, a fitness class, or a deep stretch, it all counted. I could work out in a group or do it solo. I could include my family or get some much-needed quiet time.
Soon I was starting to crave more adventure and gained confidence in trying new things. Being out in nature is something I have fallen in love with over the years and I have developed joy in hiking. Movement and exercise have given me an appreciation for my body and health that I didn’t have before and continue to have for my future self as I have moved into my forties.
The Daily Slay Club has ignited a fire I didn’t know I had inside. It has led me on a path that I didn’t ever think I would walk. My encouragement to you is to challenge yourself to join this next round of 100 days of movement (it will be my fifth!) not to lose weight, not to fit into a certain outfit but to invest in your future self. Your body and mind will thank you, I promise!
