How 65+ member Terrence Naidoo is cashing in with Vitality
This retired businessman embraces his Vitality programme like a business: getting maximum profit from his good health, fitness and spending behaviour
Terrence Naidoo, 69, says his Vitality-linked Apple watch is like a personal fitness instructor on his wrist, and it has transformed his health and wellness.
"My Apple watch motivates me to keep myself active, do deep breathing exercises, and tells me to stand for a minute if I've been sitting too long. The health benefits are 100% worth it. I have chronic diabetes with hypertension and high cholesterol, but I am managing it all well through the programme."
Mr Naidoo jogs most days, whether it is near his home in Big Bay, Cape Town or visiting his children in Wellington, New Zealand. He is an avid parkrunner and to date has completed 78 parkruns of 5km each.
Terrance Naidoo is an avid runner who keeps his fitness levels up by jogging at the sea. He also uses Vitality benefits to fund his fitness devices and running shoes.
The former businessman who owned a large fruit retailer says he approaches his Vitality membership just as he would a business.
"I'm a businessman at heart so I make sure I activate the benefits and stay active. It's not a lot of work, since I am retired and my time is invested in myself now. Weather permitting, I jog or walk at the beach every day. I use my Apple watch to make sure my heartrate is over 120 beats a minute so that I get maximum points for about 30 minutes of exercise," he says.
Getting the most out of life and Vitality
Mr Naidoo says he maximises his benefits by maintaining his Diamond Vitality status through his fitness routine, and he unlocks the rewards for doing this.
"I use the travel benefit to visit my children in New Zealand. It is a lovely flight on Qantas Airlines for 35% less." They also use the benefit for local flights two or three times a year.
He adds that he uses his HealthyFood, HealthyGear and HealthyCare benefits to the maximum. "I buy my HealthyFood at my local Pick n Pay which I walk to for my step counts. We used HealthyCare to get 75% off a blood pressure monitor and blood sugar testing machine that I need as a person with diabetes."
"But that isn't all", says Mr Naidoo. "I have several pairs of running shoes that I bought through HealthyGear that gave me 75% off at Sportsmans Warehouse. As for my Apple watches, I paid for two since 2016 by achieving my Vitality Active Rewards Goals. In fact, I am due to upgrade to the new watch later this year."
During lockdown, he says he has been making use of BoxOffice vouchers but has also collected about R6 000 in cash back for his various benefits because he banks with Discovery Bank. "At the moment, Vitality is paying me to exercise!
Don't just live. Live it up with Vitality 65+. Find out more.
Not a Vitality member? Join today and get rewarded for staying healthy.
Call us on 0860 000 628 or leave your details and we will call you back. You can also log in to activate Vitality yourself.
Limits, terms and conditions apply.
Related articles
With the right mindset, you can feel 17 even at 70
Ad agency exec Berenice van Dyk is busier than ever at 70 years old. Whether it is upskilling at work or keeping fit, there are no half-measures, she says.
Gym has been a saving grace for Gonam Naidoo
Gonam Naidoo, 67, has been a gym fanatic for two decades, and she says the effect of exercise on her arthritis has been profound.
Doctor Kijko's orders moderate exercise to keep fit at 65+
Dr Grazyna Kijko, 70, is a Vitality fan who uses the programme to keep her fitness in check, but also rewards herself for it.