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

[AnnMumsnet]

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!?

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

Bagtrainlady - that's why I didn't take my DCs with me! Popped into Lloyds Chemist yesterday just before the school run. I have a tiny branch about five minutes walk away but have to confess that I don't go in there that often as I prefer the independent chemist.

Anyway, although their shelves were a little bare I managed to come away with lots of essential toiletries - shampoo, cotton wool, huge tub of E45 cream, bubble bath and even a few bits of make up for myself! The cashier looked at me suspiciously when I handed him my voucher and wasn't sure if they took them. However after a quick consultation with his manager, it was all fine so I was pleased with all that I got.

Not sure if I would use this benefit that much as the Lloyds branch closest to me is miniscule and doesn't have that much stock. I too do not use chemists very often and tend to buy all my toiletries in my weekly big supermarket shop or in Boots/Superdrug.

loopsngeorge - you must have been in a larger branch. No sign or whiff of Dior in our branch!

I've had a very Vitality day today.

My feet are still suffering and I have been doing a bit of swimming (which I wouldn't have done without the gym membership) but I find that really boring so today I tried an Aqua class. I loved it although I'm not sure if I was making the right shapes. CointreauVersial uses the same pool and said she was the youngest in the pool. I suspect only 2 of us today are not drawing a pension. I'm definitely doing it again, possibly tomorrow!

I then went to Sainsbury's to try to use the Nectar card for a 5th time (3rd time in that store). Still no luck. Think I'm going to use the Nectar points elsewhere if that is possible.

I did my Lloyds shop. As others have said, I buy most of these items in my weekly supermarket shop and sometimes in Boots. My local store was tiny (floor space smaller than my lounge) and the only perfumes I could see were of the Yardley type. I drove on to another Lloyds which was a bit bigger. The choice was really poor - slightly more expensive perfume but of the Katie Price type. Definitely nothing I'd call a treat. I really struggled to find things to buy but ended up with a lot of unexciting stuff. Here's my list:

3 x Dove Bars
3 x Hand Wash
Baby Powder
Hair Brush
Plaster Strip
Dry Shampoo
6 Hairclips for DD
Mr Men toiletry set for DCs
Monsters Inc Book
Benylin Cold & Flu Capsules
2 x Chewing Gum
And a cuddly toy

The staff were very friendly, tried to be helpful but I thought they were going to decline the voucher because I didn't have a Vitality Card!
Personally I don't think I'd see the Lloyds discount as a great motivator because the range was so poor, and certainly not the brands that I buy (I think the Londis next door to it may have had a better selection). DH is going to think I've gone bonkers when he sees all of the soap!

Popped along to Lloyds yesterday to spend my voucher. The branch was tiny so I walked 15 mins up the road to another which was slightly bigger. I stocked up on the stuff we always need for vaious non glamorous ailments- cold sore cream, athletes foot cream, canestan. The stuff which is annoyingly expensive to buy!
I was very grateful for the voucher. I did feel that Lloyds is not the most erm... upmarket pharmacist for Vitality to be partnering with. It had a small amount of stock, few of my usual products and a big sign behind the counter reminding me not to assault the staff. It was also not especially good value, probably more of a convenience store if you popped in to your neighbourhood shop. I wondered if it would really appeal to the kind of people who usually fork out for health insurance. Maybe other branches are a bit bigger and better? Or maybe it is less that you would want to use the discount and more that Lloyds offer healthcare checks etc? I can see the value of those more than I can see the value of 10 percent off in a slightly expensive shop which doesn't have the stuff you usually use.
Anyway, I don't want to sound ungrateful as £25 of stuff for the bathroom cupboard was very welcome, and I compensated treat-wise by going crazy on lavender Method handsoap one third off in another store. Delicious!

Non-participant: I always feel a new perfume is a real treat and luxury to treat myself to. At full price most good perfumes are over £25 but in the sales, you can often pick up a nice perfume when it is on offer so that is what I would buy.

Yes I'm lucky, the Billericay branch has quite a lot of make up brands etc. All the other stuff is a bit random and old fashioned - lots of washbags and shower caps etc.
I finally got to do my personal trainer session today and am just waiting for the aches and pains to start! It was really useful and quite an eye opener as I asked to do some of the weights machines as I've never tried them before. I was really struggling, even on the lowest weight so I'm definitely going to try spending some time on them to build up my upper body strength. I enjoyed the rowing machine but have decided that the treadmill, bike etc is just too tedious compared to walking/running outside.
I had to give the famous powerplates a go, but quickly regretted it - they must be the most migraine inducing thing I've ever come across! How on earth do you do a whole class on them??

In order to up my number of daily steps I've given up using the car for work, and am using public transport. I'm now regularly getting 15,000 steps a day (it's becoming a bit of an obsession). I so hope I don't drop it down the loo!
Ironically though, I'll have to take the car tomorrow to go to a lloyds chemist as they are all a bit out of the way. We recently had reason to discover how poorly equipped our first aid box is, so I'm hoping to make that a priority. Otherwise I might get dd some face cream of her own as she has started pinching all my good stuff!

Like audreyblue This isn't a vitality benefit I would use as until recently there was a lloyds pharmacy only 5 mins walk away from me, but I very rarely went in it preferring the family owned one a bit further on. Also, I only ever think of pharmacies in terms of prescriptions and medical enquiries, and only ever a last resort for toiletries.

It will be very nice, however, to give my feet a rest and spend my voucher tomorrow.

Glad you enjoyed the Aqua, Walkingtheplank. I felt a bit foolish, to be honest, and won't be rushing to try it again.

I was at the gym on Tuesday (we seem to miss each other!) and did the Fierce class again. What a laugh. I also tried a different aerobic fitness machine, like a stepper, only you go sideways a bit. Haven't a clue what it is called, but boy did I feel it in my hips this morning. Hoping to go back tomorrow, although there is a girl's night out vying for diary space at the moment, so the gym may have to wait.

Still haven't made it to Lloyds.

non tester
For a treat i would love to focus more on relaxation - there is no time or money anymore to dedicate to it - such as a nice aromatherapy massage. this would leave me feeling motivated to do other things to look after myself and give me that boost.

Enjoyed spending my voucher today. As we have a holiday coming up I bought a family first aid kit, some Nivea factor 50 sun lotion and also a large bottle of 6+ calpol. As I also qualified for an extra £5 off, I only had to contribute 49p.

The staff were lovely, but the shop was v small and attached to a medical centre so was packed with people waiting for prescriptions. There was only a very small stock, and prices were higher than where I would usually shop. Also, I had to go out of my way to shop there so this benefit wouldn't be one I could use.

My trip to the gym this evening was put on hold, as I've had a dodgy tummy all day, So I figured I'd track down a Lloyds Pharmacy instead. It was a toss-up really between two branches; Branch A in the town where the DDs have their Thursday drama group, and Branch B, in a parade of shops a couple of miles away. I went for Branch A and of course it turned out to be absolutely tiny, barely more than a pharmacy counter, hardly any beauty stuff. I mentioned this to the shop assistant, and she suggested I "try Branch B, it's the biggest in the area". Grrrr. .. Not willing to blow my precious voucher on dull stuff like nit lotion, toothpaste and (ahem) Immodium, I put it back in my bag for another day.

(Non-tester)

I would treat myself to a Lush fresh facemask, you can get at least 4-5 uses out of them so they last a couple of weeks and it really sorts my skin out by the end of the pot.

Plus with £25 I would have plenty left over for some of their bath bombs and fancy soaps too!

Non participant

My treat is to walk in beautiful gardens or woodland on my own in peace and quiet

Alternatively we have a visiting masseuse at work who does a great head, shoulders, back and arms massage for about £15

Off to Lloyds today... my local Lloyds was the one which featured in their advert so I'm hoping that though small it will be well stocked.

Can feel every muscle in my body today after (finally!) my personal trainer. I really enjoyed it - surprised myself. Didn;t really want to do it but she made some good suggestions which I think I can do myself. Would love to be abe to pay for more and if I had Pru Vitality the free annual training session would definitely be one that I would use.

Non-participant. I would get some lovely shampoo and conditioner.

non participant I would buy Shea butter bubble bath and a home hair straightening kit. I'm easily pleased .

Hope you're feeling better soon, CointreauVersial.

I haven't been yet.....such a busy week and I will have to take a detour which will cost me another hour and a half of precious time....particularly if it turns out to be a piddly branch with no interesting stock....

Hmmmmmmm

I had my second PT session on wednesday. I am still not able to stand up from the floor holding the baby... OW. I will miss the gym though, although I think I will start Couch to 5K as soon as it stops raining.

I never really go to a pharmacy unless I need to fill a prescription filling, and spending £25 at a Lloyds would never have occurred to me! I tend to pick stuff up in Boots or the supermarket.

I decided to be sensible and picked up a whole host of essential things, although some nice bubble bath did find its way in to my basket! Calpol, baby bath, yet another type of bottle to try her on, soap, cotton buds - all the things that bump up the cost of a weekly shop, so it's nice to stock up. I think if I had a discount, it would be used - it's not my local pharmacy, but if I knew I could get a good discount, I would take a walk over there!

Non participant.
For £25 I would spend £12 having my eyebrows waxed, it always looks better when done professionally, otherwise I get carried away and end up with one busy and the the other thin! I would then spend £5 on a mini hair serum. I often get small versions as you only need a tiny bit. With the remaining £8 I would buy some tinted lip balm.

Hurray!! my cinema vouchers have finally arrived. They were in a very tatty state and look like they've been on a bit of adventure. I would really like to see Dallas Buyers Club, but I guess it'll be Peabody & Shermon as dh and I have already been out on our own once this year .

Still waiting for mine - they're obviously very adventurous tickets...

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?

Bubble bars from Lush are my absolute favourite and great for a really relaxing bath!

Non tester.

I'd spend my money on some lush products: bath bombs, facial products "angels on bare skin" I think it's called and some hemp cream for my feet.

Failing that, it would be some henna!

Just got back from second (this time successful) trip to Lloyds. This was a much bigger, smarter branch, so I had no trouble spending my voucher. The fragrance selection was no better (Calum Best EdT, anyone? ), but they did have makeup (Bourjois and Rimmel). So I bought:

Bourjois smoky eyeshadow palette
Bourjois lipstick (a nice useful nude shade)
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (on offer, 1/3 off)
Pack of Remegel indigestion remedy (for DH)

The shop assistant peered at the voucher, and asked for my Vitality Membership card, but was content with my explanation that I was only a temporary member. She said "oh yes, we got a letter about Vitality, but I didn't really understand how it worked".

Would this be a good benefit for me if I were a Vitality member? Well, I didn't find Lloyds very convenient for me, as I had to go out of my way to track down a branch; typically, if I need health care items or toiletries I tend to stick them in the supermarket trolley, or pop into a High Street branch of Boots. A 10% cashback probably wouldn't justify the extra effort (I'd rather have the Boots Advantage points), but if it were 50% (which is what the higher level members get, I believe) then I could definitely see myself stocking up there. After all, Lloyds is filled with stuff that we all use.