Two decades on Vitality and feeling like a 20-something

“I don’t want to sound clichéd,” says Elize Sewell, a 49-year old businesswoman and Diamond status Vitality member, “but I feel the same way I felt when I was 20.” The youngest of four children, she claims she was always a tomboy, and it seems that growing up has just granted her a bigger playing field in which to explore.

Her pursuit of adventure has taken her all around the globe, from mountain-climbing in Kashmir to snorkelling in Thailand, gorilla tracking in Uganda and white-water rafting down the Nile. She also makes the most of her surroundings when at home in Cape Town.

“I love anything outdoors,” she says. “I climb Table Mountain with a group once a week and swim a couple of times a week. I cycle with a friend now and again. When the South Easter wind blows, then I go to gym and do a spinning class.” She’s also fortunate to live close to her workplace, which she walks to whenever she can.

“Elize admits that dealing with top-end clients and luxury properties can be super stressful. However exercise really helps to reduce the stress.”

Two decades on Vitality – a rewarding commitment

Elize joined Vitality 20 years ago, mainly for the discounted gym membership and movie tickets.” She’s stayed on since, for the same reasons – “It’s especially great now that Virgin Active have re-opened their saunas!” – and more. “I use all my rewards,” she says, “particularly to feed my travel addiction! My Diamond status gets me discounts on flights and car rentals. I also use my Discovery Miles to pay for flights or shop online.”

“To maintain Diamond Vitality status is not difficult at all,” she claims. “I won’t say I eat perfectly all the time, but I try and eat healthily most of the time. Luckily, I love salads, fruit and fish. But I go for the basic health checks, complete the standard questionnaires each year and walk 10 000 steps a day – and that’s it!”

Her secret: prioritising a balanced, healthy lifestyle

All those steps have got her far, and she makes a point of keeping up with them on holiday and in transit: “When I fly, I just try to walk as much as possible between flights without sitting and waiting to board again. On weekends away, we hike or cycle, and we plan active holidays – in May 2018, I walked the Camino Frances.”

As the owner of a company that manages luxury villas and accommodation, Elize admits that, "dealing with top-end clients and properties can be super stressful.” However, “exercise really helps to reduce the stress. Luckily, I am an early bird, so I exercise while other people are still sleeping.”

Her current passion? Cold-water swimming with a group of friends, which she finds calming. “We swam in the tidal pool all winter, and now, more often, we body-surf in the ocean. We don’t wear wet suits. For me personally, it’s like a meditation. When you’re in such cold water, you are unable to think of any work problems or anything like that. We also laugh and chat, so you just start your day feeling wonderful.”

“Eating healthy, having a healthy lifestyle and going to bed early makes me feel strong and energised.”

Coupling activity with quality social time

Elize finds having fitness partners a valuable part of the experience. “You start to form a very special friendship bond with the people you often exercise with. We are all so busy, so it’s a great opportunity to catch up and enjoy the wonderful time in nature. I have met amazing friends through tennis, mountain biking, hiking and swimming.”

“Exercise, especially in our beautiful surroundings, just makes me so happy. And eating healthily, having a healthy lifestyle and going to bed early makes me feel strong and energised.” How does she feel about turning 50 in 2019? “It doesn’t bother me,” she says, “– as long as I am fit and healthy!”