Would you rather exercise or go shopping? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Would you rather exercise or go shopping?

anne

Veteran

For me, there's no contest. Exercise wins. Not very keen on shopping.

The specific scenario I am in right now though, means it's hard to do both. I don't work on Tuesdays and Thursday, and I'm training for a 10 km. On one day I do intervals (sometimes 6 miles worth) the other a long run (i.e., 10km). I do a local parkrun (5km) on Sat.

I don't like shopping on the weekend (crowds, hard to find parking, I'm often busy or doing things with the family) so these should be my days to do it.

But do my sore legs and feet feel like it? No! And I often need a nap afterwards as well.

I don't have much planned to buy this summer - 2 pairs of sandals (one for work and one for casual) and a tee. But given that my size sells out and that I have very fussy feet I do need to get going with it.

Any comments and sympathy welcome!!

Shopping

75 replies

Latest reply was from Ginger

Joy

Veteran

You mean shopping doesn't count as exercise?! All that walking, reaching, bending, carrying bags?

anne

Veteran

I think it does Joy Just not the sort that will get me fit for a 10k! And think that's one reason I don't want to do any more of it (the other being the mental work of shopping, the stimulation, crowds and choices, which is much harder for me than spending time outdoors in the park)

Brooklyn

Veteran

Exercise! Do your shopping online. After dinner while sipping a wine works very well

Dianna

Veteran

What Brooklyn said!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Joy said, although it is no substitute for yoga. Extravert here - love the stimulation and crowds.

I walk Sam outdoors daily and enjoy that too. I'm not a gym person.

Sisi

Veteran

Exercise. I have never really liked shopping, even when I was younger. All that fuss .... putting and taking clothes on and off, this doesn't fit, this fits but is the wrong color, wandering from one shop to another for hours, making decisions (take into consideration that in Italy return policy was an unknown concept until a few years ago!) ... I find all this rather exhausting. You have all my sympathy !

rachylou

Veteran

I sympathise. I loathe weekend shopping. I do not go out on the weekend. I shop early morning weekday, when a store opens. And one clothes shop in a day is often my limit...

But mind, I’m not keen on exercising either. My job is very physical and then there’s the dog walks...

Style Fan

Veteran

That is a tough one. I love going to Yoga and I love walking outdoors. I will use a treadmill in bad weather. Shopping with a good friend in a great place like New York City or Montreal is fun for me.
I am with Joy and Angie. Shopping is exercise!

Bijou

Veteran

Well I really enjoy both - but not running! I have never been a good runner. I enjoy shoes and clothes shopping (well most - not underwear or bathers / swimmers shopping, those are definitely not fun...) and when it comes to shopping for Christmas presents for hard to buy for people, food shopping etc, I would much prefer to be exercising. I seem to be on the fence with this one, it is sort of "it depends" for me. I do agree with Brooklyn, online with a glass of wine is a very nice way of shopping.

Mainelady

Veteran

Exercise, because although I enjoy shopping and it often energizes me, I feel my best when I can get some exercise and fresh air every day. Shopping is expensive. Fresh air is free!

kkards

Veteran

is this a trick question?...
shopping is my exercise!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’m with everyone who says to do your shopping the efficient way—online. You have a fairly specific idea of what you want, so use those filtering tools, place your order, and try them on some lazy evening after dinner.

And good on you for doing intervals. I should do HIIT too.

anne

Veteran

Not a trick question kkards - I'm sure I'm in the minority here, though not the only only one - Sisi expresses it well.

Angie I know you do a heap of exercise, both through your yoga, walks with Sam and the incredible amount of walking you do in your job. And I'm glad you enjoy all the stuff about shopping - I'd hate your job but you are admirably suited for it!

I did go the mall today after all - but not for my shopping, with DD14. This is my second shopping trip this week with my daughters and it is probably that that is contributing to my not wanting to go. And I'm doing the food shopping too. Until recently I was ordering food online, but I found it too stressful (making the order deadlines and trying not to forget anything) and have gone back to doing it in the shop.

And Bijou, I haven't started Christmas shopping yet, and though I have hardly anyone to buy for, I don't even know what to get for my own husband and children. So yes, stressful. And I haven't bought new bathers for myself over six years!

Brooklyn and Dianna, I'm trying not to buy online, because I don't like paying for shipping and return postage. And it can't be that hard for me to buy shoes - I should be able to get some at Myer. Maybe next week!

Jazzy Dance

Exercise for sure! I despise shopping.

It has to be fun exercise though. Personally I love to Jazzercise but anything fun and exhilarating will do. I imagine you feel that way about running.

Good luck to you on your 10k! Your training sounds spot-on.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Your online shopping system must be different than ours. Here, if you order several items to try on before selecting one, the order almost always is over the minimum to ship for free. As per the recent thread on giving up online shopping, many of us only buy online from companies that have a physical presence where we live, so we can make returns easily.

anne

Veteran

I think there might actually be some places with physical returns. I admit I'm a bit out of touch because when I lived in the regions I only ordered online from an online company (Ezibuy) where you couldn't.

But the general trend is much less towards free shipping and returns here.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yoga or a thrift store would be a tough choice. Yoga or a department store or jogging and a thrift store would be no contest in either case.

anchie

Veteran

Neither. Both are chores to me.

LaPed

Veteran

It all depends! Like shevia, I enjoy thrift shopping, but not malls and department stores. But I'll take a hike, a bike ride, a swim, or any other outdoor activity over any form of shopping. If I had to choose between a treadmill and a mall, though, I'd choose the mall. I find gyms really boring. I do like strolling around towns with well-planned pedestrian downtowns, where you can window shop and people watch. Farmers markets and craft/art fairs are fun, too.

That said, I almost always plan trips and vacations around hiking and camping, and don't bother to include much shopping, which is a pretty good reflection of where my priorities lie.

krishnidoux

Veteran

LOL this is so on point! I have asked myself this very question then felt silly for thinking it but realize it wasn't. I am an enthusiast gym member and working out has been part of my hygiene for over 20 years. I love dancing and just improving my helath and performance in general. But with how busy life gets, I have had to juggle fitting workouts here and there, with little time left for other personal hobbies. So sometimes, I feel like going shopping instead of a workout. And sometimes act on it and do. I used to have some remorse ("Talk about lame: going to spend my time spending money instead of building my health!"). But now I don't hold any bad feelings about it, and am even happy about it. One needs balance: it's not because you have free time that it should automatically be used towards working out. If my gym habit has taught me to build in me-times throughout the week, better use then for myself too.

Anonymous

I wish I could say I love to exercise. I don't, but I feel bad if I don't do it. Also, I hate crowds, which is another reason I shop online. So to the gym or basement exercise room I go.

JAileen

Veteran

I don't like going to the mall. My shoppng is online except for thrifting. My exercise is not in a gym. It includes dog walking, gardening, birding, and housework.

Anonymous

Well, if someone handed me a pre-loaded black Amex, I'd be out the door , or over to my computer, to do some shopping faster than you can imagine. But in reality? I'd rather work out at the gym. More satisfaction, better for me, good for my social life, and doesn't cost much. Shopping is hell on a good day .

Sara L.

Veteran

Exercising is a chore to me. Not a chore I hate, but a chore like cooking dinner or grocery shopping. Something that has to be done on a regular basis when I'd rather be doing something else - like reading a book. I walk several miles with my neighbor once or twice a week and that's the only time that exercise isn't a chore (I also try to run a couple miles once or twice a week and work out on a stationary bike). Shopping is more fun but only because I do it so seldom. I don't like to shop for more than a couple hours though and it's much more enjoyable with a friend.

Marilyn

Veteran

What Brooklyn said! LOL

I do both. But I get much more satisfaction from exercising. It's very rewarding and a priority for me.

Elle

Veteran

Exercise - no contest. I feel so great after a ballet class. I totally sympathize with the problems of shoe shopping. It's so difficult and even if something fits in the store, there is no telling how it will feel after a week of walking.

I love having nice clothes but hate the process of shopping - finding the right size, fit, color, returns. It's so nice have the YLF finds to narrow things down.

danielgood

Exercise!

cindysmith

Veteran

I'd rather shop, but my checkbook and doctor insist upon exercise as my means of releasing endorphins

Christina F.

Veteran

Porque no los dos? I often go out to the local stores (in NYC, so on foot) when I want to get my Fitbit steps for the day.

12 3