Las Vegas ! tips?

michaelalacorte1

Hello, this is my first post!
So in two weeks I will be going to Las Vegas. I've always been a bit of a foodie on vacations, but I haven't been on vacation yet since joining mfp.
I'm just worried that if I don't eat healthy for a week, I'll gain back a lot of the weight I lost. It took me long enough to lose 10!
While I won't be walking as much as the average tourist(as I've been there before) I am planning on making use of the hotels exercise room two or three days.
Should I count calories that week or should I just not worry? Thanks!

Mia_RagazzaTosta

A week is unlikely to do a ton of damage and any weight gained will most likely be water. Enjoy your vacation, but I wouldn't hit the buffets every day if you're that concerned.

Mokey41

Count in your head if not online. Make good choices, small portions and be mindful of eating for hunger and not eating because it's there in front of you. You can have a good time without stuffing your face and there's no law that says you have to lick your plate clean.

nightsrainfall

I live in Vegas. First thing if you go to a buffet (and you will), sample and track on your phone. Don't count calories, just track so you can know what the calories are. Sometimes in seeing that that burger is 1500 calories, it loses it's appeal and then I go for something just as tasty but not as unhealthy.

Enjoy, but smaller is better. There's a lot of healthy and unhealthy items and if you want, you can gorge yourself easily. Food preferences and prices will probably dictate what you eat, but just remember there's a 1,000 things to try here, but once you tried a few it can get old. Thus, ENJOY that first experience.

And follow normal food rules - snack, eat breakfast in, track to be knowledgeable , and don't deprive yourself. :-)

Most of all, Have Fun!

bajoyba

I went to Vegas shortly after starting MFP in January. I tracked calories to the best of my ability, but I had to estimate most of the time. I did drink a lot of free mimosas... lol Just be mindful of your food choices and portion sizes. I also walked a lot and took the stairs whenever possible.
I didn't gain any weight from my trip!

michaelalacorte1

Thank you all so much!

cwolfman13

Tell me this...what is a week in the grand scheme of years and decades that will surely make up the bulk of the rest of your life? Why do people talk so much about "lifestyle" and "lifestyle change" but constantly worry about the minutia of one day or one week or this holiday or that? It's about how you're livin' overall...not a handfull of days.

speedy740

I find that carrying a bottle of water will keep you fuller and not as "attracted" to all the food that is constantly around. And yes take advantage of the gyms, you will feel better and at least put that stupid joke of a $15-$25 resort fee to use. ????

ereck44

Tell me this...what is a week in the grand scheme of years and decades that will surely make up the bulk of the rest of your life? Why do people talk so much about "lifestyle" and "lifestyle change" but constantly worry about the minutia of one day or one week or this holiday or that? It's about how you're livin' overall...not a handfull of days.

AMEN!

lynn_glenmont

It's up to you whether you want to view the food you eat as part of the vacation experience, and not worry whether you put on a pound or two or even three of "real" weight (as opposed to water weight) (I'm having a hard time imaging eating more than 1500 calories a day above maintenance every day of a week-long vacation, but I suppose YMMV), or whether you're OK with trying to keep at maintenance or below while you're on vacation.

If the latter is what you want to do, sushi restaurants (of which there are many in Vegas) are a good bet. There is (or was, last time I was there) a decent (not great) pho restaurant in Treasure Island; depending on your goals, you may have to leave some of the noodles in the bowl. In other restaurants, look for simply prepared seafood dishes without sauces. The problem with poultry is it's likely to be prepared with a high-fat sauces, but you could look for dinner salads or pasta pesto (yes, pesto is high-fat , but it's a reasonable sat to unsat balance and usually added in a moderate amount) dishes with a protein. The problem with beef is that restaurants typically serve high-fat cuts in what for most people are excessively large amounts, and top it with more fat (butter-mushroom sauce, for example). (Yes, you need fat, but probably not as much as in most restaurant meals if you're trying to lose weight.) If you can find a leaner cut or reasonable (for you) serving size, or can keep a commitment to yourself to only eat a reasonable (for you) amount of a larger cut, go ahead and order it, and order a salad, a non-cream soup, or extra side vegetables to fill up. You can still practice portion control even though the restaurant is deciding what to put on the plate; just don't eat everything they put on the plate.

I actually find it easier to have control when I eat at the buffets, because there are so many choices. You just have to choose wisely within your own goals. I look for basic, simply prepared foods, so I know what I'm getting. Meat at the carving station; poached fish; steamed and roasted veggies; raw veggies, fruit, and legumes at the salad bar; rice, plain pasta, baked potatoes from the various hot food stations; add fats (olive oil, avocado, butter, cheese, etc.) at your own discretion, mindfully. I usually have an indulgence or two (after all, I'm on vacation or, worse, traveling on business) -- maybe one or two pot stickers, or a soft-tortilla taco, or hummus with pita, or a mini-dessert (although I find the buffet desserts usually look a lot better than they taste) -- things that I enjoy but that I know tend to push me over my calorie goal.

Also, I don't know what your activity level normally is, but you might consider that even if you aren't doing a lot of sight-seeing, you may end up doing more walking in Las Vegas than you think, especially if you're staying in one of the large hotels on the strip. They're all laid out so that you have to walk through the casino to get anywhere (a restaurant, the front desk, the exit to the Strip, the cab stand, the little elevated tram that runs from MGM all the way to the Sahara (or it did - last time I was there Sahara was closed, so I don't if it still runs that far). If you're a foodie, consider walking to restaurants in other hotels.

jesusHchris

Just do a ton of blow and drink whiskey instead of eating. It's what everyone else does in Vegas.

bowbeforethoraxis

What works for me on vacations is, first thing, going to a grocery store and grabbing some healthy food to keep in the hotel room.
I always grab some baby carrots, yogurt, berries or apples, beef jerky, and string cheese. If the room has a microwave or coffee pot I make sure I grab some instant oatmeal as well. That way I always have healthy snacks on hand that I can eat a little of before I become starving and need to eat every delicious thing in sight. Also, if you're drinking, it's nice to get back to the room and realize you have something that will soak up the alcohol.

TBH, I started doing this to save money more than anything else, as most of my travelling was done as a poor college student, but it helps when you're on vacation with other people and you are hungry and nobody else is, so by the time everyone is ready for a meal you're hangry and feel capable of eating the entire buffet.

brattygrrl

I travel a lot and I have learned that while it is important to track and keep accountable often times it is a greater headache. I still do it because I fully believe in keeping myself accountable for everything even if it isn't pretty on paper. When I have gained it has been water weight and goes away after returning to a normal diet. There are tons of places in Vegas to eat that are super yummy and good for you, even at buffets! It's all about what you decide. If you don't want to track it then just be aware, especially if you get any of the super sized drinks (let me tell you martini's add up quickly). Don't let it stress you and if you track it, rest, if not it's only a week!!