Hi everyone! :-) Going to VEGAS..HELP!

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jillyk89
jillyk89 Posts: 240 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Looking for new motivational friends and success stories! I am a 24 year old nurse from Edmonton Alberta Canada.
Lets motivate each other!
Started my diet March 1st of this year and have lost 32 pounds as of today, let's be there for each other along the way!
I have a long way to go on my weigh loss journey, and I can't wait

I am a bit scared because I booked my first ever trip to Las Vegas on May 20th for a week and it is buffet heaven.. I am terrified to gain weight now...any tips or suggestions on how not to cave on my diet while in Vegas?

Feel free to send me a message or add me as a friend... love love love,
Nice to meet you all, Jill <3
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  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
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    What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas..... (do people still say that?).........
  • tamisarre
    tamisarre Posts: 12 Member
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    You do not have to go to the buffets, my first visit to Vegas I never even saw one. I also am going back in a week and I plan to eat while I'm there, but I also plan to work out while I'm there too. There's the balance.
  • theonewithbrowneyes
    theonewithbrowneyes Posts: 1
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    Hey Jill :)

    My best tip of advice is to stay away from anything that looks like it has a lot of oil and grease on it. Also EVERY buffet has a fruit or salad bar, so make sure to put more of those on your plate rather than the really rich and high calorie meats

    I went to Vegas on a diet as well so I know howyou feel haha....

    Best of Luck and have fun on your vacation!

    Congrats on the weight loss by the way :)

    -marina
  • Enic03
    Enic03 Posts: 163 Member
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    I got to go to Vegas on my 21st birthday with my family and it was the coolest experience! Vegas is a place though to let everything go and just relax. We ate at buffets almost everyday and drank our hearts out but you got to remember you will probably be swimming throughout the day(if you do) and walking. There is so much walking! All you will want to do is drink water and there are people selling water every few feet because it is much needed! Just don't load your plate to the moon and you will be okay. I actually lost weight but again its just swimming and walking all day and you are gunna need those calories to get by!
  • CatMcCheesey
    CatMcCheesey Posts: 143
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    The buffets in Vegas aren't exactly cheap anymore. (At least not the ones with quality food.) Save your money and your health by going to a restaurant instead. Bringing healthy snacks with you also helps save money and calories.
  • jenlarz
    jenlarz Posts: 813 Member
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    Vegas has tons of options and lots of walking, and not all meals have to be pig outs. But don't hold yourself to being perfect on vacation. You've got to enjoy yourself.
  • Requiembell
    Requiembell Posts: 106 Member
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    Hmmm ... don't go to buffets if you cant stop yourself once you are in. Maybe I am over stating the obvious?
  • epie2098
    epie2098 Posts: 224 Member
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    When I did the buffets at Vegas, I only made 2 trips. The first was to the salad bar, where I loaded up on greens and other tasty low-cal plants with a little dressing - stay off the mayo-ey things (food poisoning isn't fun and that's risky food anyway in addition to being high in calories). Once I'd eaten my way through that plate, I did a tour of the buffet to see everything that was on offer. Then I picked what I really wanted, rather than small scoops of everything as I went through the buffet sight unseen. Once I'd gotten through that plate, that was it - done for me!

    We ate a later breakfast in the condo we rented, then a nice big buffet dinner, and found that because we were having more caloric beverages than normal (hint, hint) we weren't nearly as hungry as at home when it's tea and water most of the time.

    We found in Vegas that we walked everywhere, so we did get exercise in, just not as intense as normal. Overall, I came back 1lb lighter in a week than before I left.
  • jillyk89
    jillyk89 Posts: 240 Member
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    Thanks beauties!!
    I am more worried about the alcohol consumption while there! I love to drink and have a good time but I am honestly terrified to gain weight...
  • melindarp
    melindarp Posts: 4 Member
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    You do a lot of walking in Vegas. Park your car somewhere and explore the strip on foot. You won't have to worry so much about enjoying a couple of nice meals that way. There are TONS of restaurants to choose from and plenty of healthy options. You'll love it!
  • shutupandlift13
    shutupandlift13 Posts: 727 Member
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    The last time I was there I had a mini fridge and a microwave in my hotel room. There's a Walgreens or CVS right on the strip and I picked up some fruit, oatmeal, and better balanced snack items to have at least for breakfast and sometimes for lunch too. I never went to a buffet while there, the food really isn't that great anyway, IMO. Instead, my boyfriend and I picked out a few places that we were going to go all out at, the sushi restaurant at Planet Hollywood (WHICH IS EXCELLENT!) and In N Out Burger. On most trips I try to have a little control over 1-2 meals that I have each day and make them as nutritionally dense as I can and then I don't feel guilty when I enjoy my fun dinners. Also, lots of walking around in Vegas! Good exercise!

    As far as alcohol goes, I just didn't really drink a lot especially during the day. I tried to limit my consumption to the night and usually just a drink or two with dinner. Go for drinks with diet soda, tonic water, etc. That can cut out some calories pretty quickly.
  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
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    Back in the old days, the casinos offered buffets to get you in the door. But, my impression is that cheap food is a thing of the past. Now they try to offer quality, and even compete with chefs.
    I don't even remember a buffet for breakfast in the past 10 years.
    I have been there quite a bit. But, I haven't been there in about four years. I used to go about four times a year.
    Jogging is difficult there. But, all the hotels have gyms, though they usually charge you about $25 a visit. And, trust me, you will walk, walk, walk.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,067 Member
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    Okay. I love Vegas. I've been twenty or thirty times.

    Just go and have fun. I always eat one huge meal a day - sometimes a buffet, sometimes a regular restaurant. If you are going to go to a buffet, go to one of the really nice hotels, though...like Wynn, Encore, Aria, Ceasars, Venetian, or Bellagio. Don't waste your time or money at the smaller buffets. Then I have a smallish breakfast and that's plenty.

    Really, there are some really good restaurants in Vegas. Depending on where you are staying, go and talk to a couple Concierges. They will have lists and suggestions. If you can do a little research before you go, you'll get the most out of your food experience there.

    You will be walking a lot. You'll be in the pool. Have your cocktails and enjoy yourself. You're not going to do that much damage in a week. I never gain weight while there...I'm always up and walking or dancing or in the pool.
  • jillyk89
    jillyk89 Posts: 240 Member
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    Ok that makes me feel better!

    THANKS!

    Any must see must do things in Vegas for this first timer??!
  • Enic03
    Enic03 Posts: 163 Member
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    Ok that makes me feel better!

    THANKS!

    Any must see must do things in Vegas for this first timer??!

    Depends on money! I loved seeing Phantom of the Opera while there but they took it out. If you can muster up the money, go see a show like LOVE or a Cirque show, they are pretty amazing. Make sure to check out free shows (Bellagio water show, Treasure Island: Sirens of TI, Mirage volcano). I was there for a week and wasn't able to see half of what I wanted to!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,067 Member
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    Definitely plan on taking in a couple shows while you are there, unless you are just planning on hitting the clubs. I can't drink 24/7 - much as I'd like to...and a show is a good way to kill time without spending a lot of money.


    Of course, it depends on what you like. For Cirque Du Soleil shows (and I've seen all of them there) I would recommend "O" or "Ka".

    You should take in at least one "showgirl" type show...there's Bally's for traditional, MGM for the French thing...("Crazy Horse"), I've seen Chippendales (meh, unless you like a bunch of rabid drunk women) "Legends" is good (celebrity impersonators), Criss Angel is fun, there are sooooo many shows - go online and check them out and then pre-book if you can. You'll get better seats, and cheaper if you call the theaters instead of trying to book online. You can also call the Concierge at the hotel where you will be staying and have them book for you.

    There are probably some good comedy shows and music headliners while you are there. For "must-see" regular shows I would pick "Ka" and "Crazy Horse" . Crazy Horse is beautiful, erotic, and intimate. The theater is small, and the talent is very good. Both these shows are at MGM.

    For free stuff, go to Mirage and Treasure Island at night for the Volcano and the Sirens (Pirates and wenches) shows..take the shuttle from Bally's out to the Rio for the Mardi Gras floats in the casino. Go to the Venetian and walk around the square and the canals with the gondolas. Check out the live lions in MGM. Go to the M&M Museum - hit up Margaritaville for lunch or dinner (down across from Ceasars) and go in and wander around as many casino/hotels as you have time for. They're all unique and there is always something to see .

    To get around, bring your most comfortable walking shoes. You can buy a day pass on the buses that run up and down the strip, or you can cab it. There is a train/tram (about $12 a day), but it involves a LOT of walking - and it runs along the far backside of the casinos. You can take a cab, the train, or the bus to Old Vegas ("Downtown") where the laser light show is free. A few of the hotels have mini-trams that travel between them (like Mirage to Treasure Island or Mandalay to Luxor) You can pay to ride the roller coaster at NYNY or the one at the top of the Stratosphere. The Aquarium at Mandalay is really cool - about $20. Whatever you plan to do, always check that it will be open or available that day. Many things are closed on certain days (usually Sun, Mon, Tues or Wed.)

    I was a blackjack dealer, so I'm not much of a gambler, I got my fill of it on that side of the table - so Vegas to me is shows, buffets, walking and just the general freak-show that is Vegas. I never get any sleep while I'm there. I have to say, though, a week in Vegas might kill me. I usually go for three nights.

    My mantra is "There's no sleeping in Vegas, sleep when you get home."

    You'll meet people around the pools in the daytime and make plans for clubbing.
  • jillyk89
    jillyk89 Posts: 240 Member
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    Thanks for all the great suggestions guy, I just wan to be there right NOW
  • sienasmomma
    sienasmomma Posts: 6
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    My opinion: avoid the buffets. They have gotten ridiculously expensive anyway, and there are lots of restaurants where you can get healthier and better food for the same amount of money. Second, tourists are what keep Vegas alive--without tourists, the restaurants (on the Strip at least) would shut down, so they want to keep you happy. So don't be afraid to ask them to customize meals for you, cook your food a certain way, make substitutions, etc. Whatever you have to do. Good luck and have fun!
  • leahhm91
    leahhm91 Posts: 11
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    I live in Vegas & yes it is buffet heaven but honestly I don't find the buffets to be that great. I rarely want to go & most of it is dry and hard. I mainly get fish potatoes and shrimp cocktail, the thing that got me fat living in Vegas is it's so "fast" you can say so I got fat off Burger King when I was to busy, just don't go to the buffets or just indulge once it won't hurt you! Have fun!
  • jillyk89
    jillyk89 Posts: 240 Member
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    What happens in Vegas... Stays in Vegas ;-)

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