I was training three times a day when I first started using AIA Vitality. Naturally, I’d earn my weekly Active Benefit by hitting my exercise goals every week, and I loved it. It always felt like a little accomplishment when I had a notification pop up, telling me I now had five dollars to spend.

Now that I’ve retired and am pregnant, I don't train as often as I did.

 

Pregnancy dramatically changed my outlook on exercise. The first few months were tough on my body, and I couldn’t go for runs outside. I was demoralised – I loved running, and it was my usual go-to workout. I started losing motivation, and stopped hitting my weekly exercise targets.

 

This was where AIA Vitality really helped me get back on track. I used the program’s 30-minute benchmarks to structure my workouts. I took up sessions of light yoga and Pilates, and when I was feeling better, I added swimming to the mix. Each time I exercised – even if it wasn’t at the intensity and duration I was used to – I earned points, and that positive reinforcement really encouraged me to keep going.

 

I track all my workouts through my Garmin smartwatch (which AIA members can get a discount on), which easily syncs with AIA Vitality to award my points.

Apart from earning points through exercise, I make it a habit every membership year to complete the series of health assessments on AIA Vitality.

 

The first test I always complete is the AIA Vitality Health Check. It's quick and simple – and I get one free Health Check each year at participating partner pharmacies. I can also earn up to 7,000 AIA Vitality Points from it, which is usually enough to help me reach my next AIA Vitality Status.

 

I also wear glasses when reading or using the computer, so I make time for an eye check-up every membership year. While I’m at it, I also schedule a trip to the dentist. It's win-win – I get a snapshot of my health, and I get a heap of points at the same time.

While I do love an extra five dollars a week to spend on groceries, I occasionally donate my weekly Active Benefit to Black Dog Institute.

 

As someone with a background in psychology and mental wellbeing, their cause is closely aligned with my heart, and I love that AIA Vitality lets me give back.

If you didn’t make your goal this week, that’s okay. Celebrate the choices you made this week – no matter how small – and try again next week. Don’t be hard on yourself, because when it comes to forming healthy habits, it’s all about consistency.

 

The beauty of AIA Vitality is how it guides and encourages you to make healthier choices – and so many of these choices begin with a small step. It never has to be a huge leap or an overcommitment – it's as simple as lacing up your shoes to go for a light jog, or a breathing exercise on your lunch break.