Discovery Vitality [2018]

[RogueTr00per]

Lots of water, and cutting out bad cholesterol (Eggs, Butter, Mayo etc. Oily foods in general) And eat more
good cholesterol to balance, (Avos, Nuts etc)

The Vitality test doesn't distinguish between HDL and LDL cholesterol does it, therefore eating avos, nuts, etc... will increase my cholesterol score for the basic test they prescribe?

Changing diet might only slightly reduce cholesterol level. Cholesterol level is an individual thing, some people have a naturally higher level whether or not they on a good diet. Well that's how my doctor explained it to me

Ah yes, true.

 

[cm127]

The Vitality test doesn't distinguish between HDL and LDL cholesterol does it, therefore eating avos, nuts, etc... will increase my cholesterol score for the basic test they prescribe?

Last year the test had both HDL and LDL separately. So eating healthy fats as you mention should benefit you with a higher HDL (good cholesterol) and shouldn't negatively impact your LDL (bad cholesterol).

 

[Joka69]

The Vitality test doesn't distinguish between HDL and LDL cholesterol does it, therefore eating avos, nuts, etc... will increase my cholesterol score for the basic test they prescribe?


Ah yes, true.

All the health assessments i've done with Vitality measured both good and bad cholesterol.

 

[Ancalagon]

All the health assessments i've done with Vitality measured both good and bad cholesterol.

I've never had one that distinguished between the two. They prick your finger, swab it with a piece of paper, and then stick that in a cholesterol measuring machine. I think you are supposed to score under 5.

 

[Joka69]

I've never had one that distinguished between the two. They prick your finger, swab it with a piece of paper, and then stick that in a cholesterol measuring machine. I think you are supposed to score under 5.

We've had the wellness center from vitality come to our office to do a full vitality assessment every year for the past 4 years, they a full assessment, from HDL/LDL, to HIV Assessment, they do BMI, Body Fat %, they do skeletal assessment(Posture/Spine alignment) they even do you eye test.

They come around May-June every year.

 

[TofuMofu]

We've had the wellness center from vitality come to our office to do a full vitality assessment every year for the past 4 years, they a full assessment, from HDL/LDL, to HIV Assessment, they do BMI, Body Fat %, they do skeletal assessment(Posture/Spine alignment) they even do you eye test.

They come around May-June every year.

We also have them come round once a year, but usually around November.

 

[RogueTr00per]

We've had the wellness center from vitality come to our office to do a full vitality assessment every year for the past 4 years, they a full assessment, from HDL/LDL, to HIV Assessment, they do BMI, Body Fat %, they do skeletal assessment(Posture/Spine alignment) they even do you eye test.

They come around May-June every year.

OK, so if you login to Discovery, when you did the online health check, did it display your LDL vs HDL readings? It doesn't for me:

Total cholesterol Your cholesterol is higher than the recommended norm of less than 5 mmol/l. If left uncontrolled, this yellow, waxy substance in the blood stream can cause chaos in your arteries, leading to blockages that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, keeping active and addressing excessive stress. It would also be wise to consult your doctor to discuss possible strategies to reduce your cholesterol level.

edit: Damn, this is a potential 5000 pts I would lose if I fail this test, I'd have to go to gym 50 times to earn that, assuming no heart rate monitor!

15k pts for 4 results in range, 20k pts for all 5 results in range according to last years rules.

 

[ros_b]

I've never had one that distinguished between the two. They prick your finger, swab it with a piece of paper, and then stick that in a cholesterol measuring machine. I think you are supposed to score under 5.

Yes, that's been my experience as well at a Dischem/Clicks clinic. But, you can ask them to do another test that does differentiate the three components of your overall number - HDL, LDL and Triglycerides. Well, actually, what it gives you is total cholesterol, HDL and Triglycerides. You then have to calculate the LDL number using a formula which the clinic nurse probably won't know - I found one online at http://www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php. You can then submit those results to Discovery and if each individual number is within range (even though the overall number is high due to a very high HDL) you'll get the points.

One problem though, is that the HDL number doesn't show anything over 2.59. So the machine says ">2.59", so there's no way of knowing what the accurate LDL number is, because you're just working it out from the other numbers and you're not getting the correct number for HDL if yours is very high. So in this case, you'd really need to go and pay for a proper bloodtest at a lab to get your real numbers, if you really need the points.

At least, this was how it was last year. I haven't done it this year yet.

 

[TedLasso]

Yes, that's been my experience as well at a Dischem/Clicks clinic. But, you can ask them to do another test that does differentiate the three components of your overall number - HDL, LDL and Triglycerides. Well, actually, what it gives you is total cholesterol, HDL and Triglycerides. You then have to calculate the LDL number using a formula which the clinic nurse probably won't know - I found one online at http://www.hughcalc.org/chol-si.php. You can then submit those results to Discovery and if each individual number is within range (even though the overall number is high due to a very high HDL) you'll get the points.

One problem though, is that the HDL number doesn't show anything over 2.59. So the machine says ">2.59", so there's no way of knowing what the accurate LDL number is, because you're just working it out from the other numbers and you're not getting the correct number for HDL if yours is very high. So in this case, you'd really need to go and pay for a proper bloodtest at a lab to get your real numbers, if you really need the points.

At least, this was how it was last year. I haven't done it this year yet.

Does anyone know if one could just walk into a lancet or other blood testing center to request a full cholestrol workup or does that need a doctor referral?

 

[RogueTr00per]

I went to a Cardiologist 2 years back to check up some concerns and he said my HDL vs LDL ratio was the best he had ever seen (IIRC, based on a Pathcare bloodtest)... but yet Discovery flags me for having high cholesterol :/ It only cost me R1800+/-

Does anyone know if one could just walk into a lancet or other blood testing center to request a full cholestrol workup or does that need a doctor referral?

No idea but you could just phone Pathcare if no one else here knows? A GP referred me for my test for the aforementioned specialist to take a look at.

 

[Shellyb1]

My activity points aren't reflecting and neither are just the gym visits.

Using an apple watch. Never had this last year. Anyone else still having the same?

 

[Koosie]

Do I pay the gym activation fee for myself (the main member) and my partner, or is it 2x activation fees?

Do the benefits on Vitality count for the main member and dependant or only the main member?

Will my 75% discount reduce my monthly gym membership immediatly when I sign up? or is there a wait?

 

[krycor]

Do I pay the gym activation fee for myself (the main member) and my partner, or is it 2x activation fees?

Card fee.. essentially it is a contract initiation fee which is per member/person. Ie 2x fee. What sucks is if you a Virgin Active member already and have a card.. well u still need to pay it.

Do the benefits on Vitality count for the main member and dependant or only the main member?

Murky.. they independant in almost all instances but some are limited to one or main member. Eg. Apple Watch (one per Discovery Card & Vitality).

The Virgin Active benefit is managed separately so each needs to get 36 visits + monthly goals to get 100% discount.

Will my 75% discount reduce my monthly gym membership immediatly when I sign up? or is there a wait?

75% is in place for 1st 3 months I believe, there after based on gym visit > 36 annual. The system is 1 month behind in debt ie if you get to 36 visits during month 4, you will pay full price in month 4 and reduced in month 5.

This complicated things and I think the devs who did this need to be shot. Basically the way they do rollover months is retarded because if the 12 month’s ago rollover drops your visits under 36, you don’t get discount. So albeit you are technically over 36 visits you don’t always get it either due to one month in arrears billing and/or rollover 12 month ‘s ago dropping you below target.

Ie discount = (visits - 12 month ago’s rollover) > 36
If discount then
Monthly goals check for the staggered 25% discount.

 

[krycor]

Basically don’t be nice, if you recovering back to 36 visits just swipe in and out of the gym daily for a month and a bit because their system is dumb.

My comment on dev.. simple, the interface says you will get discount based on visits exceeding 36.. not 36-rollover which it seems like. I hate it misleading screens vs calc where dev, qa and product manager does a pathetic job.

 

[fruitbat]

So my 6yr old now gets points for gym when I take her swimming. Extra motivation to take her to the gym ;-) 20k cap on that

 

[Tofu]

f*** it. I fell off the diamond bus after being on it for a few years.
Don't wanna go and see how badly it's affecting paybacks etc.

 

[FoXtroT]

Can anyone tell me why my vitality is telling me that I did insufficient activity to earn points after doing a parkrun?

Your device workout did not fulfill the requirements to earn points for this physical activity. It fell outside the set parameters

Using a Garmin Forerunner 735XT.

 

[MD92]

Hi guys,
Any idea how to link a gear fit 2 pro to vitality?
Thanks

 

[twaatie]

Hi guys,
Any idea how to link a gear fit 2 pro to vitality?
Thanks

Do it via the app

 

[MD92]

So link the watch to Shealth and Shealth to discovery?