Tove fills up her energy in the forest

Pluggpeppen have provided many students the motivation to get started with their exercise. One of them is Tove Thiel, who combines movement and reflection by walking in the forest.

Hej, vem är du?

My name is Tove Thiel, I’m 38 years old and a first-year student in the language and communications programme.

Why do you like Pluggpeppen?

After years without training regularly I finally got the motivation to be more active. I started taking walks in the forest, at least once but preferably twice a day. It’s so easy to become sedentary during the pandemic, you’re not going anywhere and are only at home. Pluggpeppen really gave me that push to get started.

What are the upsides you see from training?

I feel great when being a bit physically active every day. I tolerate stress better and can concentrate more when studying. Getting outside and solving issues while walking means a lot. I have two kids and a pretty intense life. Previously I didn’t take the time to fill up my energy this way. Now I can hardly get by without it. The tranquility of the forest makes me calm down a bit extra. The walk becomes a combination of movement and reflection. So when I get restless, tired and lose focus I see it as a sign: I need to take a walk!

Your best training tip?

Start low scale, don’t push yourself too much from the beginning. Then it’s not fun, just hard. A short walk is enough for you to start feeling the upsides. Half an hour a day makes you addicted.

Will you continue after Pluggpeppen has finished?

I’ll be at home with the kids this summer and won’t have much time over. But the plan is that we’ll be active together. We’ll play football, short walks to the forest, trampoline, and perhaps an occasional obstacle course. Right now, it feels impossible to stop.