First two Vitality Active Rewards members achieve 400-week exercise goal streaks!

Donald Scott, 62, and Grace Leung, 43, are the first Vitality Active Rewards members to earn their Centurion 400-streak shirts, which they will proudly wear as proof of their commitment to keep up their fitness goals.

Are you one of the 20,000 Vitality Active Rewards members receiving your Centurion shirt? If you've achieved your 100-, 200- or 300-week goal streaks, check your mailbox. Your Vitality Centurion shirt is ready for collection. If you've recently hit your centurion goal streak and haven't received your email yet, don't worry, you'll get it soon. We communicate once a month to eligible Vitality centurions.

Here's how Donald and Grace reached their 400-week goals streaks

Doing a weekly parkrun holds a particular significance for both Donald and Grace. "Through Facebook groups, we share our experiences and support one another. So, when I achieved my 400-streak, the post I shared received a lot of likes," says Donald. "Since I participate in parkrun every week, wearing my Centurion 400-streak shirt will allow people to recognise the dedication it takes to reach such milestones."

Donald's 20-year fitness journey - always setting ambitious goals

Running is Donald's primary source of motivation. He finds that without his regular dose of running, he tends to enter a retreat-like state, feeling moody and tense. "Mentally and physically, running is a form of medicine for me. When Discovery Vitality introduced Vitality Active Rewards, it seamlessly integrated into my routine. I was already disciplined in maintaining regular running intervals." says Donald.

"When I was in my 40s, I struggled with being overweight and had high cholesterol. I wanted to find a simple solution to improve my health, and decided to pack a pair of running shoes in my suitcase whenever I travelled. I started running, and within two years, I ventured into ultra running."

Donald has completed the Comrades marathon in under 10 hours, the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in five-and-a-half hours, and a parkrun in under 25 minutes. These accomplishments are not easily attainable for someone over 60, and he will proudly wear his Centurion 400-streak shirt from Vitality as her continues to set bold goals.

Grace's story - achieving her Vitality Active Rewards goal is non-negotiable

During the lockdown in 2020, Grace set the record for the most consecutive Vitality Active Rewards goals since the programme's inception in 2015. For Grace, a digital forensics lecturer and Vice Dean of Teaching and Learning, achieving her Vitality Active Rewards exercise goal is non-negotiable. "I don't have the appearance of a super fit person, so my colleagues were surprised when I achieved my 300-week goal streak. I make it a point to prioritise that one thing." As a result, she has successfully maintained her goal streak for 400 weeks.

Grace strives to achieve her 10,000 steps whenever she can. This may involve running up the stairs and around campus or completing a weekly parkrun. Inspired to continue practicing healthy habits, Grace is also part of a 100-day challenge with her colleagues and decided to give up sugar. "As a group, we inspire and motivate each other to prioritise our health. I'm not one to boast, so I didn't mention my first 300-week streak. But my peers and colleagues saw it and congratulated me. I always encourage them to join me for a parkrun on Saturdays, emphasising that it's not necessary to run; they can just walk," Grace says with a chuckle.