Plogging: The new eco-friendly way to exercise!
The new year has started, and as always, it comes with the familiar desire to immediately improve our physical condition!
We thought of suggesting the new running trend that not only exercises the body but also our ecological consciousness, and it's called plogging!
image credits: instagram tracksinthemud[/caption]
The movement started via Instagram in October 2016 in Stockholm by environmentalist Erik Ahlström, and thanks to the immediacy of social media, it has since spread to the United Kingdom, France, America, and even Thailand! Ahlström, shocked by the accumulated amounts of plastic and litter on the streets of the capital, decided to encourage runners to incorporate improving the situation into their daily relaxed running routine. Thus, "runners with ecological sentiments" are equipped, in addition to the appropriate pair of athletic shoes, with plastic gloves and a large trash bag, which they leave in the nearest bin once full, setting a good example!
[caption id="attachment_4168" align="aligncenter" width="374"]
Erik Ahlström, image credits: tidningensyre.se[/caption]
This "well-intentioned" fitness trend aims to become a way of exercising the body that breaks the taboo that picking up litter is perhaps embarrassing or even indifferent. According to data from EcoWatch, plastic production in the last decade alone exceeds the production of the entire last century! The plastic discarded each year is enough by itself to circle the earth four times... It's time, therefore, to act with a double benefit!
[caption id="attachment_4194" align="aligncenter" width="438"]
image credits: instagram mirandakvist[/caption]
In England, the Greek-American author David Sedaris, known for his unique humor, covers distances of up to 60,000 steps daily in West Sussex, keeping all the surrounding areas of Perham, Coldwaltham, and Storrington clean. His contribution is so significant that he has been characterized as a local hero, with the community honorarily naming a garbage truck after him!
[caption id="attachment_4191" align="aligncenter" width="508"]
The Pig Pen Sedaris garbage truck image credits: theguardian.com[/caption]
In America, inspired by plogging, the association Keep America Beautiful has been created specifically for this purpose, with smaller movements by conscientious citizens spreading to individual areas, such as Trashercize in Tennessee and Plogging NYC in the heart of New York, contributing to the warm response and spread of this new ideal. For Mike Rosen, the association's representative, "plogging may not replace jogging as a daily activity, but if you turn your simple jog into a plog and your hike into a pike, then what you gain beyond exercise is personal satisfaction. You'll have your endorphins high from running, while also knowing that you're helping your community."
[caption id="attachment_4174" align="aligncenter" width="430"]
image credits: instagram jhonmarin_[/caption]
The main reason for the widespread appeal of the movement, then, for most people, is that it is a simple way to feel better and to have your own impact on improving conditions in your local community and protecting the environment in general.
This "pick-up mentality," although it may seem like a small gesture, matures us as citizens, cultivating a sense of social responsibility and selfless contribution. Plogging is basically a movement that empowers us morally and teaches us not to be clean and tidy only in our homes and to overlook wrongdoings, but to take matters into our own hands.
[caption id="attachment_4176" align="aligncenter" width="357"]
image credits: instagram alio8118[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4178" align="aligncenter" width="363"]
image credits: instagram rika_tanko[/caption]
It doesn't matter the quantity or type of trash we collect. What we decide to pick up is at our discretion! No matter how small what we collect is, from discarded cigarette butts and plastic caps, everything contributes to eliminating the suffocating image of abandonment and ugliness on the streets. Some prefer to carry smaller bags while running, dividing the collection into smaller doses. Many even combine their regular dog walk to pick up even more litter. Plogging is addictive! Once you start, you can no longer ignore any "environmental offense"! You simply pick it up and only then continue on your way.
[caption id="attachment_4196" align="aligncenter" width="314"]
image credits: instagram mumma_lulu[/caption]
In our country, especially during the summer months, we can combine the plogging trend with relaxed walks on the beaches, cleaning the countless sandy beaches that are full of cigarette butts, plastic straws, and frappé cups...
[caption id="attachment_4182" align="aligncenter" width="321"]
image credits: instagram playaplogging[/caption]
Just think about how many unconscious squats you'll do during your next trash run, and you'll immediately feel better about yourself and your neighborhood! Plogging is the most natural way to act against environmental abuse. Become part of the trend by organizing regular meetups with your runner friends for the fittest cleanup! Let's make #plogginggreece a trend in our country, showing a small example of civilization. Instead of boasting about the beauties of our country, let's actively work to improve its image, in this exemplary way...
[caption id="attachment_4184" align="aligncenter" width="372"]
image credits: instagram runninng_cait[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4186" align="aligncenter" width="392"]
image credits: instagram kathryn_bland[/caption]
That's why on your next trip to the supermarket, along with plastic gloves and plenty of trash bags, add a pair of athletic socks and the life-saving heel cups to your cart, from Christou1910's healthcorner in the cosmetics section (see the list here). Combine the gift to the environment with a small gift for your body! Happy healthy pick-up runs!
The origin of the most conscientious trend
Plogging comes from Sweden, from the combination of the words jogging and the Swedish phrase plocka upp, which means "pick up litter," and its purpose is to keep not only us but also the entire planet in shape! As exercise, it involves many changes in body movements, such as bends, squats, and stretching within the main activity of relaxed running or intensive walking. [caption id="attachment_4170" align="aligncenter" width="400"] image credits: instagram tracksinthemud[/caption]
The movement started via Instagram in October 2016 in Stockholm by environmentalist Erik Ahlström, and thanks to the immediacy of social media, it has since spread to the United Kingdom, France, America, and even Thailand! Ahlström, shocked by the accumulated amounts of plastic and litter on the streets of the capital, decided to encourage runners to incorporate improving the situation into their daily relaxed running routine. Thus, "runners with ecological sentiments" are equipped, in addition to the appropriate pair of athletic shoes, with plastic gloves and a large trash bag, which they leave in the nearest bin once full, setting a good example!
[caption id="attachment_4168" align="aligncenter" width="374"] Erik Ahlström, image credits: tidningensyre.se[/caption]
This "well-intentioned" fitness trend aims to become a way of exercising the body that breaks the taboo that picking up litter is perhaps embarrassing or even indifferent. According to data from EcoWatch, plastic production in the last decade alone exceeds the production of the entire last century! The plastic discarded each year is enough by itself to circle the earth four times... It's time, therefore, to act with a double benefit!
[caption id="attachment_4194" align="aligncenter" width="438"] image credits: instagram mirandakvist[/caption]
In England, the Greek-American author David Sedaris, known for his unique humor, covers distances of up to 60,000 steps daily in West Sussex, keeping all the surrounding areas of Perham, Coldwaltham, and Storrington clean. His contribution is so significant that he has been characterized as a local hero, with the community honorarily naming a garbage truck after him!
[caption id="attachment_4191" align="aligncenter" width="508"] The Pig Pen Sedaris garbage truck image credits: theguardian.com[/caption]
In America, inspired by plogging, the association Keep America Beautiful has been created specifically for this purpose, with smaller movements by conscientious citizens spreading to individual areas, such as Trashercize in Tennessee and Plogging NYC in the heart of New York, contributing to the warm response and spread of this new ideal. For Mike Rosen, the association's representative, "plogging may not replace jogging as a daily activity, but if you turn your simple jog into a plog and your hike into a pike, then what you gain beyond exercise is personal satisfaction. You'll have your endorphins high from running, while also knowing that you're helping your community."
[caption id="attachment_4174" align="aligncenter" width="430"] image credits: instagram jhonmarin_[/caption]
The main reason for the widespread appeal of the movement, then, for most people, is that it is a simple way to feel better and to have your own impact on improving conditions in your local community and protecting the environment in general.
This "pick-up mentality," although it may seem like a small gesture, matures us as citizens, cultivating a sense of social responsibility and selfless contribution. Plogging is basically a movement that empowers us morally and teaches us not to be clean and tidy only in our homes and to overlook wrongdoings, but to take matters into our own hands.
[caption id="attachment_4176" align="aligncenter" width="357"] image credits: instagram alio8118[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4178" align="aligncenter" width="363"] image credits: instagram rika_tanko[/caption]
It doesn't matter the quantity or type of trash we collect. What we decide to pick up is at our discretion! No matter how small what we collect is, from discarded cigarette butts and plastic caps, everything contributes to eliminating the suffocating image of abandonment and ugliness on the streets. Some prefer to carry smaller bags while running, dividing the collection into smaller doses. Many even combine their regular dog walk to pick up even more litter. Plogging is addictive! Once you start, you can no longer ignore any "environmental offense"! You simply pick it up and only then continue on your way.
[caption id="attachment_4196" align="aligncenter" width="314"] image credits: instagram mumma_lulu[/caption]
In our country, especially during the summer months, we can combine the plogging trend with relaxed walks on the beaches, cleaning the countless sandy beaches that are full of cigarette butts, plastic straws, and frappé cups...
[caption id="attachment_4182" align="aligncenter" width="321"] image credits: instagram playaplogging[/caption]
Just think about how many unconscious squats you'll do during your next trash run, and you'll immediately feel better about yourself and your neighborhood! Plogging is the most natural way to act against environmental abuse. Become part of the trend by organizing regular meetups with your runner friends for the fittest cleanup! Let's make #plogginggreece a trend in our country, showing a small example of civilization. Instead of boasting about the beauties of our country, let's actively work to improve its image, in this exemplary way...
[caption id="attachment_4184" align="aligncenter" width="372"] image credits: instagram runninng_cait[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_4186" align="aligncenter" width="392"] image credits: instagram kathryn_bland[/caption]
Plogging accessories
For these cleanup excursions, which can last a while, besides the willingness to truly help the environment, all you need along with your sneakers, gloves, and bags, are two essential protective accessories for body fatigue. Compression athletic socks will boost your circulatory system, making your body even more energetic and ready for any challenge, while silicone heel cups will properly elevate your foot, which will be burdened a little more with the weight from the bags in addition to the shocks from running.
That's why on your next trip to the supermarket, along with plastic gloves and plenty of trash bags, add a pair of athletic socks and the life-saving heel cups to your cart, from Christou1910's healthcorner in the cosmetics section (see the list here). Combine the gift to the environment with a small gift for your body! Happy healthy pick-up runs!
