Great posts everyone but isn't shopping a form of exercise?

Interesting. I can’t look at them as this or that. I do plenty of both! But exercise, well I have to do that, like going to work or eating. Working out is part of my daily routine. Shopping is a fun hobby I guess.

Wow. This thread exploded overnight. And I am reading it on the bus, going in early for a very busy understaffed day at work. Can't do all your wisdom justice in my responses yet. But very appreciative

After reading this post earlier this week, I found myself in this very situation on Friday afternoon after work. Normally, this is a prime gym time. But - I don't know how come? - the wheels of my car decided otherwise, driving me straight to the downtown parking lot, next to the stores... anyway, I'm very excited about my haul, which includes a black teeshirt featuring a skull and the word "Megabitch" across the breasts. This was following a conversation with my grown son who told me I am too nice with people. But I also visited Nordstrom where I got a new purse (not one of these expensive ones), but still, very stylish. It was a long 4 hours during which I'm sure I walked my fare share, and got plenty of calistenics undressing and dressing again multiple times. Very fun.

Good Grief. TEAM SHOPPING. This is a fashion and style site!

Thank you, Angie! I was starting to feel like a freak!

@Anne

why is either or
I like both

Lol!

Dear Angie - I hope you are not offended. Of course this is a fashion and style site, but one can be interested in fashion and style and still find the actual shopping a bit difficult (which is one reason people hire you, I imagine? I know I would in a blink if we lived in the same city and I could afford it).

And I'm quite sure delurked is right and that MOST people on YLF would prefer shopping. I'm a minority in a lot of ways and I presumed that I would be. I thought I'd get about 5 responses to this email! 10 Tops!

And for those of you who said there wasn't a choice about it - I can understand. That would be like exercise and reading to me - two things I enjoy. But in another way that comparison doesn't work, because reading can be done when I'm on the bus or tired, and shopping can't easily (even online shopping).

I don't think I can respond to everyone, thought I have read and appreciated everyone, but I'll try to answer all the questions.

Sal - yes there are shops near my office. But I usually to the gym in my lunchbreak, or to meetings, seminars or to catch up with a friend.

Fashiontern -the day I stared this thread I just wanted to rest too. And I did. between school drop off and pick up, apart from a little cooking and washing up, I slept, read and watched some TV. (After the 10km run in the morning, and with some driving around in the afternoon after school)
It usually takes me about 3 goes to get through an hour long show if it is just me watching, so that was a real luxury! It was a hot day too.

Minimalist - thanks. I'm most intrigued at your running 10kms on one run a week. Love to hear more about that from you. I don't need to shop every fortnight! But yes, I could do a trade-off. My race is in a few weeks time and I'll have tapering and resting afterwards to get some extra time from.
Anna - You are right - part of the problem is that now it is summer it is too hot to shop then run - I have to do it early or it won't happen at all. But I have worked out a strategy and have had success!

I went into work today just for a couple of hours to help run some training. Also my training schedule only had a 5km today. So I came in after school drop off, did the run on the treadmill at my gym (and beat my record, yay!) and had a couple of hours to shop before heading to work. (I also bought a bra, because I had forgotten to take one and my sports bra was sopping wet. Buying a bra had been on my list all year!)
I did come home, drive kids around and do the grocery shopping and in consequence had tea on the table at 8pm! (late for the family)

But I bought my two pairs of sandals!!! I'm pretty happy with them too - see finds

Anne, not offended at all! YES. Shopping can be challenging - it's why I have a job. *smiling*

Shopping! But I exercise, too. I never really want to exercise, but I do it so my clothes will fit and I'm healthy. I'm never as happy to be done with a shopping day as I am when I'm done exercising. I'm not crazy about crowds, but I am a pro at maneuvering around big groups strolling along without a clue, lol!

My conscious says exercise but my heart says shopping!! I love to do both lol!

Oh this is a tough one, because I like to do both! But exercise will win, because I can always order online while I'm recovering at home after a long workout.

(Hey, great sandals finds! Those look super.)

If you start it off with a 10k, you don’t get to call it a lazy day. But the lounging and lazing about that would make you tired and groggy is often the best, most relaxing, wonderful thing after a good workout.

In one of my first conversations here, someone pointed out to me that most people on this site love fashion and think it’s fun. Was that you?

I don’t mind buying stuff, but in the past few years I’ve had trouble for the first time ever getting things that suit my body. I had never really thought about having a coherent wardrobe, but have slowly begun to understand by reading posts here and the archives and of course that changes the nature of shopping.

Since starting here, I have, for the first time ever in my life had times when I needed to go someplace but didn’t know what to wear, and tried on multiple things before finding the “right” thing. This is a stereotypical thing that I’ve never understood before. It is not pleasurable for me. I hope it will end when I have my wardrobe/appearance under control.

I have also found myself judging what other people are wearing. Again, totally unlike any thought that has ever crossed my mind. I think noticing what works on others and what doesn’t might be useful, but I felt like I was getting a little glimpse into someone I don’t want to be. But the steps I want to take in my life will go better if I am cognizant of the messages my appearance send, and am in control of them.

Between those two things and not wanting to move 300 clothing articles when we move, I think it’s good for me to learn here.

Okay, I'll take one for Team Shopping. I have never enjoyed exercise, but I do enjoy shopping. If I have items I'm looking for and a reasonable budget, I love it. I'm an introvert but for that reason I don't mind being alone in a crowd. I often like it. (Although I do have a threshold, which varies depending on how tired I am.)