There are many reasons why people jog – to lose weight, stay fit, clear their heads, for fun – you name it. Jogging is good for you in a whole myriad of ways, especially in that it’s both physically and mentally beneficial.
But what if your daily run could be something more? What if it not only benefit you and your well-being, but also the planet’s as well?
Enter “plogging.”
A trend originating in Sweden, the concept behind plogging
is quite simple. Before you head out for a jog, put on your running shoes and arm yourself with an empty trash bag.
As you jog, you’ll pick up litter along your path, tossing it into the bag you
brought along.
Wondering about the name? Well, it’s a mix of “jogging” and the Swedish term
“plocka upp,” which means “pick up.” Makes sense, right?
If you thought the only added benefit was for the Earth,
think again. Plogging also incorporates intermittent squats into your run. This
adds a muscle-building aspect to what’s typically just plain cardio.
According to fitness app Lifesum, which will let you track plogging as a
legitimate exercise, you also burn more calories.
If exercising isn’t something you typically enjoy, plogging
offers another benefit. It gives you a different goal on which you can focus – one
that shares no relation to your physical fitness.
Instead of thinking about jogging as a chore related to weight-loss or fitness
maintenance, it acts as a legitimate distraction. You quickly forget about the
tribulations of working out while seeking out stray refuse.
You’ll also immediately have something to show for your efforts, making your
jog feel like even more of a success.
Cleaning up the world around you isn’t just a trend in
Sweden. Lately, not only has the #plogging hashtag gained popularity, so has
#trashtagging.
In both cases, people take part in providing a valuable service to the
community and the environment. However, while trashtagging has become an
incredibly wholesome viral challenge, plogging is something that can be done
more casually.
Trashtaggers post before and after photos of an area in dire need of cleaning,
often amounting to a large-scale project. Ploggers simply fill a bag as they go
for a run.
