PruHealth Vitality Experience - month 1 feedback thread with WEEKLY prizes for non participants.....

[AnnMumsnet]

You may recall we have recruited 10 willing volunteers to take part in the Mumsnet PruHealth Vitality Experience - this is running until mid March. This is the feedback thread for the participants to share their feedback with you all.

As PruHealth are so very keen for as many MNers as possible to experience the benefits offered by their Vitality programme each week there will be an incentive (see below for chance to win a £50 Nectar card) offered to non participants to read how the volunteers are getting on and to share your own tips, experiences and opinions. Bookmark this thread and keep an eye out for updates across the next few weeks....

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!"

The Vitality Experience kicked off in style at PruHealth HQ in London on Friday 17th January. Here participants were given everything they need for the experience - including a Vitality Healthcheck, advice on healthy eating from a qualified nutritionist and an exercise plan designed by a personal trainer.

Each week participants will be presented with a new Vitality benefit - from earning additional Nectar points when you buy healthy foods at Sainsbury's, taking advantage of discounts at Virgin Active or treating the family to a trip to the cinema! Vitality aims to make healthy living fun, easy and rewarding.

Here's the full schedule of the Vitality Experience:

Week 1 - Get Gyming - Kick start your January resolutions with a free 2-month pass to a Virgin Active gym and £50 to spend on new gym gear at Sweatshop.
Week 2 - 5-a-Day - Get £50 worth of Nectar points to spend on healthy food choices at Sainsbury's.
Week 3 - Step It Up - Get motivated to increase your daily step count with your new FitBug pedometer.
Week 4 - Family Treat - Take the family out on a trip to the cinema with £40 worth of vouchers to either Cineworld or Vue cinemas.
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 1 - Get Gyming
Vitality Experience Participants: please share on this thread:
How you found the welcome day - what did you enjoy, what worried you, how did you find meeting other MNers? Why did you want to take part? Pick three words to sum up the day.

Please share how you're getting on with the gym: have you been before? What did your family think / say? What did you buy with your Sweatshop voucher? How did you feel the next day? Do you think it's given you the push to start going regularly? How do you fit it into your schedule?

Non Participants - gyms and you - discuss!
Now that we're in the middle of January, how are your resolutions for a fitter 2014? Share your stories and thoughts about gyming and you and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card (prize draw Monday 27th at 9am) NOW CLOSED

Week 2: - is all about healthy food choices (w/c 27-1). PruHealth with Vitality members can earn five times the amount of Nectar points they normally would by buying certain foods. As well they earn 1 Vitality point for each £2 is spent on healthy foods once they have linked their nectar card to their account.

Vitality Experience Participants - please share on this thread: At the welcome day you had a presentation from Sally Nash, the nutritionist with EnergiseYou -
~ What would you say was the key message you took away from her presentation and what did you learn?
~ What healthy foods have found their way into your trolley since then and what are you planning to buy this week with your Nectar card?
~ How's the rest of the programme going - we'd love to hear what you've done!

Non Participants - what's your best tip for including your 5-a-day in family meals? NOW CLOSED
~ Share your best tips for getting the 5-a-day into family meals or share a fruit or veg packed recipe on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card NOW CLOSED

Week 3
The third week is about increasing the number of steps you take every day and finding ways to fit 'steps' around your lifestyle. PruHealth with Vitality members can earn points for the number of steps they take each day. Start earning once you've taken over 7,000 a day - the more steps, the more points.

Vitality Experience Participants: please share on this thread:

~ How are you getting on with your new FitBug pedometer?
~ How many steps are you taking each day? Does this surprise you? Disappoint you?
~ What tips can you share for increasing your steps per day.

Non Participants - what's your best tip for increasing the steps you take each day? Add your comment below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card! Share your top tips for making it easy to get more steps into your daily life on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £50 pre-loaded Nectar card (prize draw Monday 10th Feb at 9am). NOW CLOSED

Week 4
Family Treat Week
PruHealth say "The very heart of Vitality is focussed on wellness and making healthy choices cheaper, easier and well-rewarding for our members. The weekly cinema ticket incentive is one of our most popular as it gives members the opportunity to treat themselves to a night at the cinema as a reward for their efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle. Small changes, big rewards."

Participants please share what film you are seeing or have seen with your Cineworld/ Vue voucher and what treats you like to enjoy generally with your family. How do you think the treat and reward element of the PruHealth with Vitality plan works?

Non participants...with half term coming up what treats do you have in store for your family? What are your families fav films?
~ Add your comment and you will be entered into a prize draw where one person will win a £50 preloaded Nectar card. Prize draw Monday 17 Feb at 9am. NOW CLOSED

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

[MakeTeaNotWar]

Non Participants - gyms and you - discuss!

I love the gym! No really - I get a genuine endorphin high from high-intensity classes like Spin and Step. Unfortunately a long working day and hideous commute means I genuinely can't get to the gym - otherwise I would never see my husband or children so I try to build exercise into my day by cycling to and from the train station and brisk walks pushing a heavy double buggy whenever we don't have monsoon-like rain. But I honestly look forward to the day when circumstances allow me to squeeze into lycra again one day

[CointreauVersial]

Well done on the dietary changes, WillemDafoe. And thanks for the info about how to use the Sweatshop voucher online. I am going to try to get to a store at the weekend, though.

I did my first gym session at Virgin Active yesterday. I managed to get away from home about an hour before DH was due back from work, so the DCs didn't have too long on their own - they are old enough really (14, 12 and 10), but it is still a new thing.

It was quicker than I thought to get to - 24 minutes there and only 18 minutes back, post rush-hour.

Not a great start; the receptionist was utterly bemused by my presence, and there was a lot of muttering and peering at screens before she and her colleague worked out why I was there. She then issued me with a card and left me to my own devices, but after wandering about the place for a few minutes I accosted a member of staff and managed to sort out an induction.

I was given a tour of the machines, and shown how to use a selection of them. Power Plate was verrry odd. I also got over my life-long treadmill fear! The gym was very busy; lots of gym-bunnies and pumped up men, but a fair number of "ordinary" folk too. I felt a little self-conscious, but for no good reason, really; everyone was just getting on with their own routines. There was a lovely bar, and a huge hall of indoor tennis courts. I didn't actually find the swimming pool.

After the induction I went to a class, called "Fierce", which was aerobics with an African/Dance theme. What a laugh! I managed to keep up OK.

On my way out I thought I'd just make the most of my new-found confidence and have a little run on the treadmill....25 minutes later....! It was great; I worked up a huge sweat, and went home feeling very pleased with myself. I really enjoyed my first session.

What will I change for my next visit? Well, I will bring some headphones so I can listen to the TV/music on the running machine. I will bring a hair clip (my hair was plastered all over my face after the class). And I must get a new top from Sweatshop - I have a pink Nike tee which is fine for running, but is way too big and looks like a sack.

I did get stung for £5 for a locker padlock, mainly because I didn't have one at home, but it's a very nice one!

I'm not sure how well it will fit into my schedule ongoing - my evenings are so busy with three DCs. That's why running is so good - I just go out at 6.30am, straight from the front door, and then get on with my day. But I will do my utmost to get to the gym at least twice a week. Next session is planned for Friday.

[Belo]

Non Participants - gyms and you - discuss!
Now that we're in the middle of January, how are your resolutions for a fitter 2014?

I had decided that I was going to do the 30 day plank challenge to kick start my healthy January and 2014... I was very good up until 90 seconds. Now I'm stuck. I can't get to 120 seconds. Is it actually possible?!!

However, I've been going to the gym (4 times a week) and running once. I don't think I'll be able to keep this up all year, but am going to aim for 3 x a week minimum.

[MissRee]

Non participant here!

In all honesty gym just isn't realistic for me right now - I have a full time job, some part time self employed work, two children and I'm studying as well! I did look into joining Virgin Active near my workplace so I could go at lunchtimes but it's £130 per month! Ridiculous.

I went on the PruHealth website and got a quote to see if it would be worthwhile me joining to get the VA discount but I get free healthcare through work so it wasn't worth it for me. As the cost of healthcare plus the cost of VA membership (even with discount) was more than the gym membership at full price.

I've taken to jogging instead!

[ChooChooLaverne]

Non Participant

Gyms and you - discuss

I don't have a good track record as far as gyms are concerned. I like the idea of going to the gym and have taken out memberships in the past with a head full of images of me prancing round in lycra being super fit. But the reality has been me only going for the odd swim, sometimes with DS in tow before he went to school, and visiting the nice gym cafe. Which amounted to a huge cost per visit that I can't afford.

To use the gym regularly I would really need something to motivate me, such as being a participant in the challenge or having someone bossy making me go and coming with me.

So, I haven't set any daft (or expensive) resolutions this year but am intending to get back into running once or twice a week (free) and would like to start swimming once a week at the local (and cheap) pool

[mumsbe]

Non-participants
I used to love the gym when I was younger and had no responsibilities however having children I have found it really difficult to keep regularly exercising. Its also a very expensive hobbie so I am currently looking for a yoga class I can take my new baby on and hopefully feel comfortable knowing all the class will be new mums and as unfit as me

[EldonAve]

Non Participant

My aim for 2014 is to visit the gym more often.
Hasn't happened yet. It's too easy to get pushed to the bottom of my to do list.

[YippeeKiYayMakkaPakka]

Non participant here

I really like the gym in a lot of ways; a good hour using various machines to work different muscles and get in some good cardio always made me feel good. And a nice swim afterwards. But in London the membership is so expensive, and now that I've got young children the extra time it would take to get there and back makes it difficult. I prefer running and exercise DVDs at the moment; inexpensive and you can fit them in to a busy lifestyle more easily.

I'm currently trying to run twice a week, do a weekly (local) exercise class and maybe squeeze in a workout DVD at some point. Maybe once the children are at school I might consider joining a gym.

[HannahLI]

I also am not really a gym lover, we currently live 5 miles from our closest gym and without a car most of the time during the week it makes it quite inaccessible for me. By the time the evening comes and my children are asleep I am generally too exhausted to go. I found the equipment very boring when I have been in the past. Some people love the repetitive monotony but I just can't do it, I find it too de-motivating.
I do however love the classes as I find them challenging and they have plenty of pace. Since christmas I have got back into a local (on my doorstep) fitness pilates class which is fab, and gives me plenty of exercises to take home and continue and complete. Since Christmas I have been trying to come up with ways that I can exercise at home without allocating any additional time to it and building it into my routine. For example whilst my boys are splashing around in the bath having a bit of playtime, I find I can do some crunches and plank and stretch at the same time (our bathroom is a good size I will add).

[BeCool]

non-participant.

I haven't been a gym member for years. I was a member prior to having children and swum 5km a week through my first PG. It was bliss.

I tried joining a gym when I had one baby and a P - and I never got there.

Now I have 2 children and an XP and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to the gym but time is so limited. Certainly it isn't worth me paying the full membership.

My local gym is a Virgin Active - it is lovely and I have been a member in the past. I could get there one weekday per week, plus the weekends every other week when the DC are with XP.

How I wish it was possible to be a part time member - I'd love to buy a lot of sessions for a reasonable price so I could use my lovely gym. There must be lots of people in my situation would would love a similar product????

Off peak membership would exclude the one weekday evening so doesn't suit me.

So I walk when I can, go to the park and swim with the kids. My goal is to start using fitness DVD's at home - soon. One way or another I need to get some regular exercise into my days and quick.

Oh how I'd love a part time gym membership.

[pertempsnooo]

Non-participant.
re. the gym
I joined one last week, with a pool. I would never go for one without as swimming is one of my preferred fitness activities. Towels provided here which means less to carry, I could even just carry my cozzie around incase I drop in. Perfect.
One thing I dislike is the tedium of treadmills etc so I will have to start bringing an ipod.
Now is a crucial age for me as I could so easily 'let myself go'... waistline has grown somewhat in the last few years. Don't enjoy running outdoors in miserable weather so have chosen 2/3 days per week at the gym instead.

[SantasSprouts]

Non- participant
I used to go to a gym years ago and did apply for this test as I miss going but its too expensive for me now. Was never a gym bunny as such and did feel a bit intimidated when there if I am honest! But I used to really love the pool,classes and the fact that DC can come along and use facilities.

[Teladi]

I joined a gym in December, after pay-as-you-go visits to my local council one. I'm really enjoying it so far. I like to weight train and it's great to see that reflected in my figure. I went to my first exercise class on Monday - aqua aerobics - great fun!

[GwenStacy]

Argh, child hit the keyboard and lost everything! Let try that again!

I am going to hold my hand up and admit, I've not made it to the gym yet this week. Not all my fault though (she protests!) I didn't my activation email until late on Monday, so wasn't able to go over the weekend or then, and then had stuff planned for day times! Tomorrow though, the plan is to get up, feed the baby, pump a feed, thrust baby at husband, and get out for a swim! I have been doing the home exercises though, and I've activated my fitbug - these are great for me at the moment as I can fit these in around the small human demanding a lot of attention!

As for the Sweatshop voucher, I have my eye on some new running tights for both the gym and getting my steps in running round our local park!

[woodchuck]

Non Participants - gyms and you - discuss!

I love being a gym member, but can't afford it at the moment

I have used a couple of gyms in the past, firstly a big chain gym that was near to where I went to uni. I really enjoyed the classes and it encouraged me to try different things. I also enjoyed going with my friend, and challenging myself.

I have since been a member of a gym thats an independent, and a bit further out of town so easy to drive and park. Me and DH joined together and decidec to take the family membership so the kids could use the pool with us at weekends and after school. DH lost motivation for the gym fairly quickly, but I still used it. We all used the pool regularly and it was a great investment in 'family time'. The downside was the lack of suitable classes, and I found I was getting bored with my routine.

I would love to join one of the all-singing, all-dancing clubs like Virgin Active or David Lloyd which has pool, classes and family activities, but just can't justify the expenses at the moment.

The net result of thi is that I am currently doing no exercise at all, nor is DH, although we do have active lifestlyes, and the kids have plenty of activities, gym, scouts, athletics etc. so really it is me that has lost out the most

[WalkingThePlank]

ContreauVersial - interesting that you had such a different experience at the same gym. The receptionist found the email about me straight away but couldn't give me a card at that point. She then gave me a tour of the facilities, letting me know what is included, but I didn't have an induction.

I have been there a couple of times before to drop my children off at parties there and the staff have been unfriendly/unhelpful. Must be an element of luck of the drawer.

The pool is on the righthand-side of the main corridor, before the bar area.

I like the sound of Fierce - sounds like a real laugh.

As a road-runner, it does seem slightly absurd to travel by car to get to a gym to run. I usually run straight from school drop off so I can run 10k and be home by 10am. The same distance at the gym would mean I'm not home until nearer 11am! However, I think it will be great for making me do new things. After my V-Trek class, which demonstrated that I had good CV fitness, I was quite awful at the 15 minute Abs session; no muscle control at all!

[WalkingThePlank]

OOps, perhaps the pool was past the bar, but definitely on the opposite side from the indoor courts.

[KnitActually]

Firstly I just want to say well done to those people who are turning their lives around, couch to 5k, 30 minute walkers, gym bunnies and living room prancers.

As of tomorrow I am joining in on my zumba dvd!

No gyms for me since DS(2) though, we managed it with 1 child, but not with 2!! Maybe we'll all go whenDS(2) is old enough to do kids stuff :)

[loopsngeorge]

Made it to the gym yesterday and had no problem getting the card etc. It was lovely and I really like the way the gym was open plan to the reception area as it made it much less intimidating and I could have a surreptitious look at all the strange machines. Anyway, i wandered past all that and went for a swim, but I tried to do some fast lengths at intervals to get my heart rate up.

That Fierce class sounds right up my street but they don't have it at my gym, so will have to try Zumba instead!

[Stripytop]

Finally made it to the gym!! But only after battling through match traffic, parking miles away and walking in circles for ages before I found it!
Maybe it was that, plus the fact that it was the end of a very busy day, but I just didn't really have a good experience.
I have had gym memberships before, and always felt welcomed and well looked after on my first visit, but not so tonight. The reception staff were friendly enough, but I was given the briefest of tours before being left to my own devices. The gym was busy and full of very fit people so I found a cross trainer in the corner and used that. The pool was busy too and by that time was feeling a bit lost and sorry for my self so I gave up.
On my way out the reception staff asked if I would like a 1:1 induction which I've booked for Saturday. Hopefully I can make a fresh start and recover my positivity and enthusiasm.

On the plus side, I've walked 14,500 steps today. Lovin that fitbug!

[PPaka]

Non Participants - not been to the gym as seem to have too much to sort with the house and not enough hours in the day
But really , just not motivated. V bad time at home, just separated from husband and it's all I can do to stay on top of things for ds.
I'm booked on a positivity course next week
Physically feel dreadful

[Audreyblue]

Tester here again. I managed to squeeze a yoga class in yesterday evening. My first visit was on Monday when I received my membership card. They seemed to know who I was and had my card ready. They just left me to my own devices though. I asked if someone could show me around which they did eventually. However, it was a quick 5 minute whizz through.

Yesterday's visit was much better. The receptionist was a little older and much more friendly. She has booked me in for a one-hour induction course on Monday. So I am looking forward to that.

The yoga class was 90 minutes long and although relaxing, I didn't feel it did that much for my fitness level. I think I need some fat-burning exercises that gets my heart rate up! Very enjoyable nonetheless and it was a nice end to a busy day for me. Still using my Fitbug which I love.

[nickymanchester]

Another non-participant here.

I've tried gyms on and off over the years but could never really maintain any enthusiasm.

But then last year I did a women's only lifting course and now it's so different - I actually look forward to going to the gym rather than dreading it.

Although, to be frank, I'm generally the only woman in the weights area and I do get a bit self conscious at times. But it is just sooo good to realise that I can actually lift some quite heavy weights.

Also, this is the first thing that I've found actually works for me with losing weight. I get so bored doing running or cycling for hours on end but lifting heavy weights for a short time is great. I've lost a lot of weight and my body fat is way down as well.

[museumworker]

Non-participant :)

I'm rubbish with gyms. Joined one as a student and only went once (so cost me £115 for one sesson!). Joined a work one a few years ago and made it three times - costing me £30 a session! With 2 DCs I've found home DVDs a lot easier to fit in. Used to do family fitness class could take children to, until had to return to work, they were great.

[WalkingThePlank]

So went back to the health club today (2nd time). Had it been my first visit, it would have been my last!!

I went to the V-Cycle class. I'd forgotten my water bottle and it took me 8 minutes to get some water - £1.60 from the bar, thank you very much!

The teacher didn't check I was OK and she started early so I didn't have time to let her know I was new. I didn't understand the bike. It had no screen to tell me what I was doing, I didn't know how to adjust the bike and she kept saying to reduce or increase 'it' by x% which was via a mechanical dial that didn't have % on it. After 15 minutes I left, in part because I though the pigeon (yes pigeon) that was in there might cr@p on me.

I went to gym and tried the cross trainer for about 7 minutes and the treadmill for the same time but just could not get into it. So off I went to the changing room, proverbial tail between my legs.

I was almost finished when an older larger lady in semi-transparent kaftan stomped through, plonked her wet swimming stuff over my locker door and plonked herself at the hairdryer, glaring at me in the mirror. So getting my boots, dress, bag etc out of the locker meant working around her wet kit whilst she glared at me.

I think the gym will just be for those times when it rains for days and I can't pound the streets.