South Africans are set to join the global epidemic of lifestyle related diseases, with a staggering 57% of women and 29% of men in this country considered to be clinically overweight [1]. Furthermore, nearly half of all South Africans (46%) are completely inactive, and a further 24% don’t do enough regular physical activity to “protect” themselves from these lifestyle-related conditions [2]. These frightening statistics may help to explain why nearly 40% of South Africans are dying of diseases of lifestyle, which can be prevented or at least delayed!

That’s where Virgin Life Care comes in. We know that getting fit and staying fit can be hard work…and sometimes the right choices are not the easy choices! But we know that we can help you prepare for change, make the right choices just a little bit easier by motivating you every “step” of the way, and making sure you are ready!

Yes, from a sample of over 1000 members surveyed, we know that “readiness” is the first step to change. We also know that “best choices” for healthy eating go hand in hand with getting active! Data from our own survey shows that members who are prepared or ready to have a more active lifestyle, are also significantly more likely to be ready to change their eating habits [3]. This is what makes Virgin Life Care unique, in that we look at wellness, eating and activity, as part of a total health “package”.

Getting started is the hardest step, but has the greatest rewards! Those persons in our survey who went from “thinking about it” to “living it” had the greatest improvements in fitness and blood pressure. And those people in whom physical activity and healthy eating have become a lifelong habit, are significantly leaner and fitter, than those who have yet to take the first step! We also know that readiness “pays” as employees who choose active living experience substantially lower health care costs worldwide.

Virgin Life Care is the starting line for an active lifestyle, take your marks, ready…set…go…! Make it a habit!

[1] Puoane et al: Obesity Research Journal, 10: 2000.
[2] World Health Survey 2003.
[3] Lambert et al: International Congress on Physical Activity and Health, Atlanta, Georgia, 2006.