"I work out in the laundry room"
Dragana Trivic, head of communications at the Faculty of Science.
Are you managing to keep the training up despite the pandemic and home-working?
“Yes, I work out at home in the laundry room two to three times a week. I also try to run ten kilometres sometime at the weekend, but I'm not a runner so it needs to be the right weather. The major difference for me is the everyday exercise. If I'm at work, I cycle 25 minutes a day to get there and home – now I have to actively think about taking a walk at lunch. And that definitely does not happen every day.”
What are your best tips to combat sitting still during this period?
“I’m someone who loves to be at the gym, especially group workouts. On the other hand, I don’t like training at home so if I’m honest it becomes a matter of gritting your teeth. My body gets sore if I don’t exercise. I’ve tried out various apps and services you get online, and you don’t always need tons of equipment. If you want to challenge yourself, a pair of rubber bands with different resistances, a skipping rope and a mat are enough. I also have some dumbbells and a ball. Well-fitting and comfortable training clothes are a must for me – they make it feel more ‘real’.”
Do you have any tips for when it feels tempting to skip workouts or exercise breaks?
“Squats, push-ups and sit-ups! Do 25 of each during the working day. I’ve done them between meetings, as it may be the only exercise that day if there are lots of meetings on the agenda.”
TEXT: LENA BJÖRK BLIXT
"Training online the new normal"
Eyllin Köhler, 42, finance officer at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund.
Have you managed to keep the training up despite the pandemic and home-working?
“Yes I think so. I usually cycle to work from Lomma, which is a round trip of about an hour. That form of exercise has now disappeared. The gym that I usually go to offers various forms of exercise online and livestreams such as Hiit, Bodypump and yoga. I usually either start or end the day with this kind of workout to maintain my exercise. This has now become somewhat of a ‘new normal’ for me, which shows how adaptable we humans really are in different situations.”
What tips do you have to combat sitting still?
“Decide in advance with a friend or neighbour to take a lunchtime walk together, for example. This gives you the chance to clear your head, take a break from work while also getting the social aspect thrown in. I have three children under the age of six, which also means there are automatically a lot of activities and workouts that can be done with them. This is also a great way to keep moving.”
TEXT: ÅSA HANSDOTTER
"I'm getting more exercise now"
Tomas Nilsson, programme administrator at the Department of Business Administration at the School of Economics and Management.
Has the Covid situation affected your body?
“No, it has not affected me and as far as I know I have avoided the virus.”
How is your training going?
“I probably train a little more now than before. There is more time left over and you need to get away from home after many hours of solitary working. I go to the gym, but follow the restrictions that apply there, and also do some simple yoga at home. And windsurfing and maybe some running is Covid-safe!”
What are your best tips to combat sitting still during this period?
“Book in small meetings with yourself where you activate your body in some form.”
Do you have any tips for when it feels tempting to skip workouts?
“It’s good to have both a plan B and a plan C for your training. If you can’t find the motivation for the workout you’ve planned in advance, do an easier workout session instead. If your motivation is seriously low, go for an even easier workout! Often getting started is enough to end up doing a little more. If not, then at least you’ve exercised a little and you can be happy with that. If you are short on time, you can train intensively for 15-20 minutes, which goes a long way.”
TEXT: LOUISE LARSSON
Decorated a real office at home when the body took a beating
Eva Johannesson, head of office at Corporate Communications.
How is your body doing after months of home-working?
“Things were going well when I was alternating between working from home and in the office, but when things moved over to just working from home in November, I got pain – in the shoulders and back. So this Christmas I made an action plan.”
What did that consist of?
“I decorated a real office at home and bought a height-adjustable table, among other things. The University should consider making a financial contribution to improving the work environment at home, as often relatively expensive furniture is required. I also move around a bit between each meeting and have installed fibre in my summer cottage so I can work from there - that way I’m close to wonderful forest walks.”
How is your training going?
“I’m a Zumbaholic, but I no longer go to Gerdahallen gym. However, I have tried their online workouts. I walk 10,000 steps a day and I have been doing this every day since mid-July last year. There has been more exercise but less cardio training...”
TEXT: JENNY LOFTRUP
