Although their lives are as busy as ever, Francis and Olie have decided that it’s time to prioritise their health by moving every day and ditching the weeknight takeaways – showing consistent small steps can lead to great things.
Taking small steps towards becoming healthier
Between juggling full-time and shift work and the schedules of their two kids, finding time to fit in exercise was once a challenge for Francis and Olie. But once they began the AIA Vitality programme, they realised that even 30-minutes of low-intensity exercise could be beneficial. “We always find a way to slot in a 30-minute walk at least five days a week,” they explain. They continue, “When it rains, we jump on the treadmill or spin bike. And on the weekends, we are able to find more time to move.” Along their journey, they discovered that finding ways to move doesn’t always have to be taken with a traditional approach. “We found that even walking around the mall or going grocery shopping are good ways to exercise. After all, if there’s a will, there’s always a way,” says Francis.
Improving overall wellbeing
Francis and Olie have been using the AIA Vitality programme for almost two years, and there’s no turning back. They have even got some of their friends and family dentist involved in the AIA Vitality journey. “We’re currently working on maintaining Platinum status. And it’s our goal to maintain Platinum in the future,” says the couple. AIA Vitality keeps them on track with exercise and other important health checks. They believe the programme is a helpful way to reflect on their overall mental and physical wellbeing. “We always prioritise simple checks like online health and skin assessments,” they explain. “We’re seeing improvement on our BMI, blood tests and just overall happiness,” the couple say. Both Francis and Olie believe they’re taking “baby steps” but are still feeling better than ever.
Building healthy relationships
Having a shared goal but also a shared motivation has encouraged both Francis and Olie to consistently make healthy choices. “Our children motivate us to take care of our health so we can be there for them,” they say. AIA Vitality has also helped them spend more time together as a family. Francis and Olie like to use their Active Rewards for fun activities. “We like using our points on half-price movie tickets or vouchers.” Besides building more of a family bond, the couple have been able to get closer, too. “We try not to be competitive, but rather put that energy into being supportive of each other for a common goal of trying to improve our health for our family.”
