Is it possible to be healthy while in Vegas? Yes! Well, at least healthy-ish.
I know, Vegas is not a place of health and wellness. But even if you want to go wild, you can still do it without feeling like total garbage after the weekend is over. Trust me, it’s possible!
A couple of weeks ago, a group of girlfriends and I headed to Vegas to see Britney Spears. What a show! I mean she wasn’t even trying to pretend she was actually singing, but that’s not what we were there for. It was so fun dancing and singing in our seats to the pop songs we grew up on. No matter what that girl goes through, I love her. If you’re going to the show, I highly recommend watching old Britney music videos while you get ready. Such a fun blast from the past (and quite interesting watching her evolution over the years).
I ate, I drank, I partied, I even ate at Eggslut at 3am (#noregrets). But you know what? I felt pretty good throughout the weekend and when I got home, I didn’t feel like I lost sight of my wellness habits.
The good news about trips to Vegas is they shouldn’t be long. So even if you do go completely overboard, it’s not that big of a deal since it’s a short trip. And if you’re planning to go to Vegas for more than two nights, I highly suggest you rethink your plans, after two nights you will be ready to get the hell out of there.
So how does one stay sort of healthy while in Vegas? Here’s how:
Wake Up and Sweat a Little
Mornings in Vegas are typically a leisurely event. There isn’t too much to do besides eat, drink and party in Vegas, so use that slow morning to sweat a little. We stayed at The Cosmopolitan and the hotel had a great gym. Two of the other girls and I spent about 45 minutes at the gym running intervals on the treadmill and doing weight circuits on the floor. It can be tough to tackle a hotel gym workout, especially if you are a group-fitness fan. Go in with a plan so you enter the gym with a focus. Do a little online research if you can’t come up with a plan on your own (Popsugar Fitness is a great resource). Here’s an example of a hotel gym-friendly workout from PBFingers.com: Orangethoery Fitness-Inspired At-Home Workout.
Master the Buffet
Buffet’s get a pretty bad rap, but they aren’t all so horrible for you. Our hotel stay came with free breakfast at the buffet–we weren’t going to turn that down. Fortunately, I tackled the buffet like a pro so I didn’t leave in pain and misery (been known to do that before!). Browse before you fill your plate so you can see what items you really want. If you start loading up your plate before seeing all the options, you’re going to waste valuable stomach space on things you don’t actually want. The good thing about buffets is you can take a tiny taste of things that you really want, instead of a huge helping. Take just a bite-sized portion of decadent items-you can experience them, without going overboard. For the items you just can’t say no to (like vanilla french toast or bread pudding, yum), grab one portion for the table to share. Everyone gets a bite, no one has to loosen their belt (I mean obviously we were all wearing leggings, but if we were wearing belts, ya know).
Shots Shot Shot Shots
A wellness blogger telling you to take shots? Yea, I am. If you’re looking to get a little loose, minus the calorie bomb, just take a shot. Ok, you’re not into shots? My get-drunk drink of choice is vodka, soda water, splash of pineapple juice and a lime. Vodka sodas are a little too boring for me, but that splash of pineapple juice makes a huge flavor difference and only adds a few calories to the drink.
Hydrate
We should all hydrate whether we’re in Vegas or not, but make water an even bigger priority in Vegas. Drink a huge glass when you wake up, throughout the day, and extra important–before you fall asleep after a big night out. It makes a difference.
Seek Healthy Options
Even in Vegas, there are healthy choices to keep you feeling a-ok. Check out The Juice Standard at The Cosmopolitan, Pressed Juicery at The Aria or these other healthy spots nearby. Vegas has tons of amazing dining options so I suggest 1-2 unhealthy meals while balancing it out with a few healthier snacks/meals in between.
Start Fresh
The flight home means time to get back on track
The day you’re scheduled to leave Vegas (which hopefully is first thing in the morning, because as I said, you’re going to want to get out of there), make it a healthy day, back to your normal habits. Instead of waking up and grabbing a greasy breakfast, start your day with a juice or another healthy option. This will get you right back on track, not wasting another day on unhealthy choices. It’s fine to forget healthy habits while on vacation (especially in Vegas!) but don’t let those poor choices bleed into a new week.
With all that being said, have fun in Vegas! Don’t worry too much about healthy habits, just get out and have a good time. If you don’t mind feeling like crap after a weekend bender, ignore my advice. But if you’re looking for a tiny bit of balance while still having a good time, try these tips. Oh, and book your tickets to Britney. Promise you won’t regret it.
