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SALT LAKE CITY — Looking for another reason to indulge in some retail therapy? Try this one on for size: your shopping habit is good for your health. A new study says that women burn up to 15,000 calories a year while shopping.
The study, conducted by Walls Solero Exotic in Britain, showed that British women walk a lot by shopping. It also showed that while some women prefer the convenience of online shopping, being able to count it as a workout would help 58 percent to leave the house instead of sit in front of the computer.
"I'm always looking for new ways to get in cardio," said Brittany Durazzani, 27, from Draper. "I really like the idea that I can count my shopping as a workout."
Unfortunately for some women, the extra walking is offset by snacking on chips, chocolate and cookies while shopping. Another recent study shows multitasking while eating can prompt you to eat more.
"Even though we make decisions about what and when to eat with apparent ease all the time, these decisions are actually very complex and can be easily disrupted," Suzanne Higgs, a study co-author and psychologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK, told Reuters Health.
One in 10 women surveyed in the study said they would eat up to 1,000 calories during a shopping trip and 31 percent admitted to eating over 250 calories while pounding the pavement.
What does 15,000 calories look like?
But if you watch what you eat, 15,000 calories can add up to a lot of extra exercise — it's the equivalent of walking 180 miles or seven marathons. Some people like the idea of shopping instead of doing more conventional forms of exercise. Durazzani said she would prefer to shop.
"Given the choice of walking seven marathons or go on several shopping trips throughout the year, I think walking the mall would be less stressful and a better way to beat the heat," she said.
The 15,000 calories burned also equates to running stairs for 15 straight hours and swimming 57,000 yards, or almost 3,000 laps.
Another study found it doesn't matter when you exercise during the week as long as you get in 150 minutes per week.
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"The important message is that adults should aim to accumulate at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity in whatever pattern that works for their schedule," study researcher Dr. Ian Janssen said in a statement.
That's good news for those who don't have a lot of time during the weekdays to exercise — a two hour shopping trip on Saturday could help make that goal.
To make the most of your next trip to the outlet mall, try packing some healthy snacks along with a water bottle.
