MY VITALITY
– Gemma Sharples –
Vitality not only keeps you covered come what may, but also encourages you to make positive lifestyle changes.
Rediscovering her love of walking was a game-changer for Vitality life insurance member, Gemma Sharples, after she had her first child.
Not only is she feeling the physical benefits, she’s also enjoying the rewards available from our partner brands through the Vitality Programme.
How many steps do you usually manage in one day?
It depends on the day of the week, during my working days it’s around 5,000 as I work in an office. On weekends it can range from 7,000 to 12,000 steps.
How many points do you average every week?
On average, I earn 25 points per week, depending on how busy my family has been that week.
Do you find this manageable to achieve?
Absolutely. I am constantly on the go, always running around after my two girls keeps my step count up. I also try to swap the car for walking for short trips.
How else do you earn points?
I try my best to make time for myself by going swimming and earning points through using the Headspace app, it helps to keep me balanced especially after a hectic day.
What does your Vitality plan offer that you didn’t expect?
So many rewards! Including the discounts with Garmin and the health checks.
Do you have a favourite partner?
I love picking up a tea with the Caffè Nero rewards.
What other perks do you enjoy?
I’m looking forward to using the discount with Champneys, a relaxing spa weekend is very much needed.
How would you describe Vitality as an insurer in three words?
More than expected.
Read more about Gemma and her story with Vitality, via our blog.
Have you tried the Vitality Points Calculator?
Getting rewarded for the healthy choices you make is just one of the ways that Vitality helps its members to make sustained behaviour change over time.
The Vitality Points Calculator has been created specifically for our members to help them reach their status goals. By creating your own bespoke plan, you’ll be on the road to Platinum and unlocking more offers and rewards from our partners before you know it. By filling in the activities you plan to complete each week, month and year we’ll give you an indication of when you’ll reach your next status – it might be easier than you think. Why not try it for yourself?
Our partner spotlight...
Just three of our partners and the offers you can get through your Vitality plan
More from our members...
Supporting you, every step of the way
Julian’s story: ‘My morning run is my mental break’
Before Julian started running, life just got in the way. But since working his way up to a 5k, he’s run two marathons and now cannot live without it.
Even prior to the pandemic, Julian was working from home. He used his morning run to replace his morning commute, a routine that’s now become habit.
“It’s the time when I clear my head and I get to do my own thing for half an hour, when otherwise I would have been commuting,” he tells Vitality Magazine.
“The main thing I get from running – beyond the health benefits – is the mental break. When I work at home, I need that distance between home and work. That’s my morning run.”
But it wasn’t always like this for Julian. Prior to finding his love of running life got in the way.
“The thing that put me off was just being lazy: busy life, too much going on, lots of travel with work. Just never finding the time or making the time for myself. I had a young family, so it was very difficult to prioritise these sorts of things.”
Years later he’s entering the London Marathon, where he managed to put in a “half-decent time”.
“Running has definitely made a positive impact, not just on my physical health but on my mental health too,” he reflects.
“I feel more able to cope with stress, as well as feeling better about the way I look. I might have gone down a belt size or two – all through running and the motivation I’ve got.”
Looking back, Julian says he owes a lot of his motivation along the way to the Vitality Programme, which incentivises physical activity through rewards, such as cinema tickets and handcrafted coffees from Caffè Nero, alongside discounts on running shoes and cashback on healthy food from Waitrose & Partners.
“The Vitality Programme makes it easy. And it’s made it motivating,” he explains. “I’ve got to the point where I must get my 40 points each week.”
Find out more about partner benefits and rewards support through Vitality by visiting the Member app.
Fancy a £100 gift card
Refer a Friend for health or life insurance and you could both receive a £100 gift card to spend at amazon.co.uk or John Lewis & Partners after they’ve made three premium payments.
