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PruHealth Vitality Experience - month 2 feedback thread with WEEKLY £50 prize for non participants.....NOW CLOSED

189 replies

AnnMumsnet · 17/02/2014 14:34

It's now month 2 of the PruHealth Vitality Experience for our 8 lucky participants: see their feedback from month 1 here.

PruHealth say "We believe the more you look after yourself, the healthier you feel. That's why we offer our customers Vitality when they buy our health insurance. Vitality is the world's largest incentive-based wellness programme and can make getting and staying healthy both easier and cheaper, but also reward you for all of your hard work!"

For the next 4 weeks the programme looks like this:

Week 5 - Half-Term & Half-Time - Check in with your personal trainer for a free 1hr session to boost your gym routine.

Week 6 - Discounts Dispensed - Get £25 worth of vouchers to test drive our up to 50% cashback at Lloyds Pharmacy benefit.

Week 7 - Choose Your Reward - Take your pick between discounts to Merlin attractions, National Trust parks or travel with Eurostar, Mark Warner or Mr & Mrs Smith getaways.

Week 8 - Wrap Up - Finish the Vitality Experience with a day of pampering at Champney's spa.

Week 5:Non participants: for chance to win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card please share on this thread what you'd do with a personal trainer for an hour keep it clean! - would you ask to concentrate on your abs, arms, legs, all over fitness or another area? Add your comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card - prize draw Monday 24 Feb at 9am. NOW CLOSED
Week 5: Participants - please share how you got on with your Personal Trainer. Have you used one before? Was it was you expected? What did you do? What goals or targets/ suggestions did they have for you going forward and how did you feel the next day!? Grin

Week 6 (w/c 24 Feb) is all about showcasing one of the discount partners that PruHealth with Vitality has teamed up with - LloydsPharmacy. PruHealth say "our members can get cashback with Vitality on everyday essentials like health and beauty products, toiletries, fragrances and more whether they shop online or in-store with a LloydsPharmacy Vitality card."

Our participants received £25 worth of vouchers to spend at LloydsPharmacy to test drive the up-to-50% cashback benefit.

Non participants - for chance to win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card please share on this thread what your best beauty or health related treat is for less than £25 - what would you buy? Some lipsticks, a luscious bubble bath or some luxury body lotion? Add your comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card - prize draw Monday 3 March at 9am. NOW CLOSED.

Participants - please share on this thread what you bought with the vouchers - did you treat yourself or buy something more practical for the family? What do you think about this PruHealth with Vitality benefit?

Week 7 is also all about the rewards available to PruHealth with Vitality members - this time our testers are able to choose their reward from a few of the key Vitality partners who are working with PruHealth: Merlin attractions, National Trust parks or travel with Eurostar, Mark Warner or Mr & Mrs Smith getaways.

PruHealth say "We offer rewards to help motivate our members to improve their health and to recognise the hard work they're putting in. We're pleased to team up with a variety of travel, health and entertainment companies to offer members a great range of discounts and special offers."

Non participants - for a chance to win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card please share on this thread what would motivate you to make small steps to improve your health and general well-being? Add your comment and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 Nectar card. Prize draw Monday 10 March 9am NOW CLOSED.

Participants: please share on this thread what reward you picked and why. When do you think you'll use it? Do you think this reward would help motivate you to earn more Vitality points (and therefore access to even bigger discounts and rewards)? What other partners would you like to see on the Vitality list?

thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
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supermariossister · 17/02/2014 15:15

I would ask for help with nutrition and finding the right balance. I have realised in the last few weeks how little I actually know about diet and eating healthily. then I would want to be taught how to run properly don't think I could manage that in an hour but still!

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Willemdefoeismine · 17/02/2014 17:30

Had my gym session yesterday afternoon. I was extremely nervous about it for some unknown reason. Possibly because I always feel ashamed of the fact that I'm completely unsporty (always have been and always will be methinks!). Personal trainer was lovely - professional, unjudgemental and laid back - so he soon put me at my ease!

It was funny though when he asked me about sports past and present and what I did at school (errr not sporty ever even as a teen/tween). Felt like a real couch potato but as I pointed out until I had DCs I was very slim and fit and never had to think about calorie counting etc....

Anyway once all that non-sporty embarrassment was swept under the carpet done with, we discussed my aims: to lose some weight, to tighten up my flappy tummy (since DCs) and my upper arms...

Training session ensued which I found great fun, particularly the boxing. Always fancied it ever since someone I fancied as a teen was an Oxbridge Boxing Blue (sigh....). It was great! One thing I learned which may go some way to explain my lack of sporting prowess - I don't tend to remember to breathe when exercising....Anyway he helped me with breathing techniques which can only be a good thing! He said that good breathing is at the heart of any sporting technique so now I know where I've been going wrong all these years Wink!

I am going to try to go three times a week once the DCs have gone back to school - a bit frustrating to do the training session during half-term and then have an enforced 'pause' - and have promised to go to his classes too...

By the way when do our V-A passes expire - 14th March or the end of March (she says hopefully)....?

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MissRee · 17/02/2014 21:16

Non tester here!

I would use a personal trainer for weight loss, including diet and nutrition. There is so much conflicting information out there on the optimum diet for losing weight and the ultimate healthy lifestyle it can make your head spin! Grin

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/02/2014 21:18

Non-tester here - I'd ask them to focus on my stomach, after far too much cake, and for ways to avoid eating so much said cake.

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sharond101 · 17/02/2014 21:38

Non-tester, I'd ask how to do some decent cardio without my knees hurting. No matter what I do I end up in agony feeling like they have taken a pounding. I'd like to run but this stops me.

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telsa · 17/02/2014 22:44

Non tester
If I had a personal trainer for an hour, I would ask for a bit if everything. I'd like to know what would be the best way of bringing my stomach muscles back to life. Then I'd want to work on legs, arms, general strength and posture. That would do me.

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CointreauVersial · 17/02/2014 22:51

Just checking in.....my PT session isn't until Wednesday, but I have the same fears as you, Willemdafoe. Unsporty doesn't even come close....

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smallinthesmoke · 17/02/2014 22:53

Your session sounds great Willem. I'm booked in for Thursday.
Persuaded DD1 to come to see Frozen with me today. We had 2X small drinks and popcorn and it came to £29 So if it weren't for Pruhealth I don't think we'd ever go to the cinema! It was great though, she loved it in the end, despite the scary wolves and snow monster. Thanks for the vouchers. I can see the point of the reward more now, I had no idea the cinema is so expensive!

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loopsngeorge · 17/02/2014 22:54

Williamdefoe, that sounds really interesting and useful. I've got mine booked for next week and have never had that type of conversation with anyone before, so I'm hoping they will spot some similar reason for why I never turned out to be Jessica Ennis! I too have a flabby tummy and am interested in working on that and also on weights (resistance training?) to preserve bone strength as I get older. Will report back once I've had the session!

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FiveOwls · 18/02/2014 09:17

Non-participant - I'd ask for advice on my running technique, and how to vary my cardio activity so it doesn't overstrain me and cause the prolonged hip pain which has stopped me running for most of the winter Sad.

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CMOTDibbler · 18/02/2014 12:11

Non participant. I've just had an hour 1:1 swim coaching, and I'm amazed at how much difference it has made in just 2 hours so far. Based on this, I'd ask for running coaching to see if some changes could speed me up - I can do the distance, but would like my next half marathon to be 2 hours or less.

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Maiyakat · 18/02/2014 13:52

Non-participant. I like the idea of swim coaching - I'm sure my technique isn't very good and my endurance would be a lot better if I was swimming properly!

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TenaciousOne · 18/02/2014 16:50

I'd concentrate on my abs and arms for toning and building up stamina to run a 10k.

I've just been looking at the vitality calculator and it's a flawed calculator, my diet it bad because I avoid dairy due to allergy and then it's said I would be younger if I lost weight. I'm already underweight so I think the calculator needs to be looked at.

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Willemdefoeismine · 18/02/2014 20:58

Hi Vitality Crew, just reporting that my quads are still hurting after Sunday :-)....

I feel as if I've merged two weeks' activities into one here......In the end, DCs and I went to see Mr Peabody & Sherman (it was very good and even 13 year old DS said "Mummy, it's educational and funny") because I couldn't bear to pay anything but Cheap Tuesday Cineworld costs (it was still £19.20 for three of us)... I've actually still got one £20 voucher left as I got our treats from Waitrose can't bear to be ripped off with cinema 'treatsWhat was the deal on using the giftcards - was if valid only until the end of this week or 'the end of term' echoes from deep within....But how does that translate??? Was considering saving the rest of the giftcard value to go to see The Book Thief with DS at some point down the line....

Glad to know I'm not the only one who is not sporty by name or nature....But I could get into this gym mularkey....

Good luck with the PT sessions and hope you find them as useful and rewarding as I did!

Ann (hello!) any idea on when a) the cinema gift vouchers cease to be valid b) when our V-A membership expires.....

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AndHarry · 18/02/2014 21:04

Non-participant.

I'd use my hour with a personal trainer to sort out my poor technique for basic exercises, especially press-ups and sit-ups. I'd get my running style critiqued and my breathing sorted. I'd also want to learn a short, effective routine to incorporate into my day to rebuild my abs and pelvic floor after two kids and abdominal surgery.

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Ballsballsballs · 19/02/2014 14:00

Non-tester.

I'd like to work with a personal trainer to develop a routine for my core strength and posture.

I'm losing weight (hurrah!) but my muscles lack strength.

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CheeseTMouse · 19/02/2014 16:27

Non tester - I would use a PT to get some new ideas for my fitness routine as I tend to get stuck in a rut and do the same things. I would also like some ideas for what I could do whilst out in the park with the buggy!

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GwenStacy · 19/02/2014 16:54

I had my PT session today - and once again, I am blown away at how lovely my gym is. My PT said she doesn't feel like she can put together a programme on the fly very effectively, without talking to her clients and discussing what they want to achieve. So today she showed me some core exercises I can do at home, and a few using the machines, and then we're meeting next week as well, so she can take me through a programme that will hopefully help me achieve what I want. She was conscious that I've not got long left at the gym, so whereas we did use some resistance machines, we talked about ways to replicate the exercises using dumbells at home as well.

Like many of us I was worried about revealing quite how inactive I am, but she was lovely and pointed out that even making small changes to your daily activity can make a huge difference - ie, walking is good, walking with a baby in a sling, better! (maybe I could hire E out as an exercise accessory?)

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Jinty64 · 19/02/2014 23:40

Non-tester

I would love a swimming coach. I swim 3/4 times a week but never feel I get the most out of my time. It would be great to have a personal regime

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Supermam · 19/02/2014 23:57

Non-tester. I would like a trainer to help me build up stamina and help me learn to run without damaging my knees! Advice on nutrition would be good, too.

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Chopstheduck · 20/02/2014 09:11

Non participants: for chance to win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card please share on this thread what you'd do with a personal trainer for an hour


There are some shit hot pts at my gym that I would love to take home for an hour Grin I'm booking an hour next week at some point though - going to ask for some strength based workout tips. Really want to have a go at TRX training and put together a free weights program. I get plenty of cardio from running and classes, but want to reduce my body fat a bit more.

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HootyMcOwlface · 20/02/2014 12:58

Non-tester. I'd like some exercises to tone up my stomach/waist area since having a baby. Also some tips on sticking to an exercise routine. I used to be a runner and loved going to the gym, but its all lapsed since having DS, so I could do with some motivational tips to get going again.

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CointreauVersial · 20/02/2014 13:43

Participants - please share how you got on with your Personal Trainer.

Well, my session with "Nick" was yesterday afternoon. I haven't been to one before, and was a bit worried it would involve some Sergeant-Major type screaming at me to "drop and gimme twenty!" In fact, it was great, although I think he was a little confused at to what to do with me - obviously he had been told I wasn't a regular member, so he wanted to know whether he should just be telling me about Personal Training, or actually giving me a session!

So he started off by chatting with me about my goals and aims; I explained I was aiming to stave off the stiffness/flabbiness/lack-of-fitness which creeps up during one's forties if you aren't careful, but I wasn't planning on entering any marathons or body-building competitions. We talked about diet, then he explained about exercise intensity; the benefits of short bursts of high intensity, followed by recovery, that would be better for me than just plodding on the treadmill for hours, or lifting little weights.

After that, we hit the gym. We did about 25 minutes on the treadmill, but in bursts - he pushed me to run much faster than I usually do, but only for a short burst, and I was very chuffed to have managed it. Then we did some kettlebell stuff and weights - again, in short, intense bursts followed by recovery. He also showed me the Powerplate, because I quite fancied having a go at it. He didn't leave me with any specific goals or targets, but has definitely given me some more ideas about how to improve my exercise routine.

How do I feel the next day!? Well, I definitely feel it in my shoulders, as I don't often do weights, but generally I'm fine, and glad to have survived!

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mumsbe · 20/02/2014 13:50

Non tester i would focus on my chest things are pointing down now and could do with a lift

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smallinthesmoke · 20/02/2014 14:00

Just staggered out of my personal training session. It was a revelation. A revelation about how utterly decrepit my body is. I struggle to do the most basic things, like getting up from sitting on a low bench without using my arms. I find squats astonishingly difficult. I have zero coordination, for example throwing a medicine ball while doing sit ups. And I fell off the wobbly ball Bolu thingy onto my arse, slapstick style.
The trainer also found that even though my BMI is fine, my body percentage fat is not good. I was disappointed as I have lost weight in the last month with regular swimming, walking etc and have good cholesterol levels measured from the bloodprick test. Hidden fat apparently
The solution apparently is a better diet (the trainer's 3 yr old DS loves kale smoothies Shock), me pulling my finger out exercise- wise and ... a course of personal training at £51 a pop. It has worked wonders for similar basketcases mothers who have not prioritised their health sufficiently. We can't afford that so the trainer was lovely and wrote down the exercises for me to do on my own or with DH (who is a fitness fanatic and has all the gear). She thought if I applied myself I could rectify the situation pretty quickly. Even though she was lovely and v encouraging and kind, I actually thought I might cry in the session, it was so far out of my comfort zone.
It is so easy to neglect your health and fitness; this Pru Health product test has served as a right wake up call for me.
I won't tell you what she said about my diet... put it this way, yesterday I had a scone for breakfast, pasta for lunch, a mars bar for tea and lasagne for dinner. Blush Blush Blush I really need to sort it out!

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