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.

When I first started using AIA Vitality, I calculated my AIA Vitality Age through the online tool, and I was a year younger than my actual age, which was a pleasant surprise. It's also a great snapshot of my health, just like the app’s other self-assessments.

 

I make it a point to complete the various self-assessments each year – these include physical health, mental health, and even a guided tutorial on how to check your skin for potential cancers.

 

These are great check-ins for me, as I wouldn’t normally ask myself these questions when I go to the doctor. Plus, every AIA Vitality Point I earn helps me unlock access to great rewards.

When you earn points, they go towards earning your next AIA Vitality Status. There are four– bronze, silver, gold and platinum – and each status unlocks different tiers of discounts.

 

The endota spa e-Gift card discount is my favourite reward by far – it's a real treat when life gets a little too hectic. I’m also looking forward to up to 50 per cent cashback on the base fare of eligible Virgin Australia flights, thanks to my Platinum Status.

 

Earning points also gets you shopping rewards, including gift cards from various retailers. I usually get exercise gear from Rebel Sport, but this year, it was a split between indoor plants from Bunnings and online shopping from Myer.

 

The beauty of AIA Vitality is how it guides and encourages you to make healthier choices – the rewards and benefits reassure you that you’re on the right track. And no one’s ever complained about a weekend spa treat, right?