Viva Las Vegas!

Hey ladies & gents! How's it going?

It's been a while since our last post so I wanted to fill you in on what CCF has been up to lately. I was fortunate enough to spend the Victoria Day long weekend in Vegas. 5 days, 4 nights and one really awesome girlfriend could only equal one thing, a great vacation! If you haven't been I highly recommend it....just be prepared to be blown away! I spent my days soaking up the rays by the pool, laughing with friends, meeting great people, shopping, dancing and seeing artists perform live - Missy Elliot, PSY, Calvin Harris & Kaskade. Vegas never sleeps and neither did I! There is always something to do and some nights I had to force myself to sleep (perhaps some truth behind the popular myth that casinos pump oxygen to keep you awake??).

Let me be honest, I did engage in some unhealthy behaviour: lack of sleep, greasy eats, drinking in the afternoon, not drinking enough water...dare I say more? They don't refer to Vegas as Sin City for nothing! But sometimes, it's okay to have a YOLO mentality, especially while on vacation. When packing for my trip, the thought to pack workout gear DID cross my mind. But I laughed it off, like did I really think I was going to workout in Vegas? Perhaps I could sneak in a workout early in the morning? But I didn't know what my days would be like, as I have never been before. Plus, packing a workout outfit would require extra luggage space that was needed for Vegas worthy items - heels, heels, heels! A girl needs options!

V & Tania take on Vegas!

Upon checking in, the concierge told us about all the cool features of our hotel, including the gym. Obviously I knew the hotel had a gym but did she really need to remind me and rub it in? I guess you could say I was feeling a little guilty for quickly dismissing the idea of making healthy choices and staying active on vacation. Regardless, the guilt was short lived :)


Seriously, the issue that seems to be the most challenging is finding a way to survive a weekend of indulgence without derailing my healthy efforts, feeling guilty and spending the days afterwards doing 'damage control'. It's not easy, but CCF discovered that with a little bit of effort and a change in your thinking, engaging in healthy habits happens naturally! You probably don't realize but you're actually doing quite a bit of exercise while on vacation, you just need to look for it!

So, I've created a list of a few things we did throughout our trip that turned out to be healthy and had us leaving Vegas feeling proud! 

1. Leave your Hotel - If you've ever been to Vegas then you know that hotels are massive and you are forced to do a lot of walking. For example, a restaurant located within our own hotel was a 10 min walk! Think you can walk to the hotel right next door? **SPOILER ALERT** Plan ahead because that "nice little walk" will most likely take you over 25 mins! How did we beat the system? Waking up early is always a great option. The sun is not too hot and there is a nice breeze that allows you to walk forever without even realizing it. On our first day, we spent 3 hours walking around exploring the city and watching all the action. Yes folks, even at 8 am Vegas is full of drama!!

View from the pool of one portion of the massive Aria Resort & Casino

2. Hanging by the Pool - The pool is the best place to spend the afternoon, especially if you are like me and love to tan (with sunscreen of course). It is also great for 'undercover' physical activity. Since time is an issue when you're on vacation - so much to do, so little time - we made efficient use of our afternoon at the pool. For instance, treading water while sipping on our pina coladas and walking laps around the perimeter of the pool while scoping out the scene (just a little). We also secretly did lower body exercises like underwater lunges while discussing our evening plans. Two birds with one stone! 

Tania getting ready for leg extensions by the pool @ the Venetian Las Vegas

3. Go Clubbing - Who doesn't love to dance! The great thing about dancing is that not only are you having fun, looking great and letting loose - you are actually exercising at the same time! In Vegas, the clubs stay open pretty late, the vibe is incredible and people are having fun. If done correctly, your feet should be aching by the end of the night OR they are dirty because you took them off to really bust a move. Let's just say, I pretty much 'exercised' all night :)

V @ TAO Nightclub & Asian Bistro

4. Dining at Fancy Restos - I am fully aware that this sounds a little funny but give me a chance to explain - I may just be on to something or it is quite possible that I'm still trying to justify one of the outrageous bills that was served to us at the end of our dinner. When dining with the 'fancy' crowd, it is all about quality over quantity (aka portion sizes); the best selection of smaller healthy portions prepared to perfection by world renowned chefs. On the flip side - speaking here from a girl on a budget - they are also known for serving big elaborately decorative dishes with just a 'spec' of food on them. So why should you eat here? Well, other then putting a dent in your pocket, just know that you are also eating the correct portion size of real (unprocessed) food!

Healthy portions being served @ STK Las Vegas 

5. Go Shopping - Nothing is better for a Canadian girl then shopping in the US! We loved shopping and exploring US stores in Vegas. The shopping malls are massive and you are forced to do a lot of walking (no surprise!). It's a great way to get in walking during the day when the heat is too much to bear. Just make sure to bring your wallet ;)

Vacations are always a great time. I feel like every time I travel I am always making new friends and reconnecting with whomever I am with. There are a million benefits of taking a vacation - escape from regular life, memories, amazing experiences, relaxing, inspiration, happier and much more! And yet they also create the perfect backdrop for overindulgence. Hopefully, with the right frame of mind you will see that vacations aren't a total write-off and healthy activities are a part of everyday life.

The awesome duo at the end of a spectacular night! 

So, how do you sneak in a quick workout or engage in healthy behaviour while soaking up the rays? What tricks do you have for staying fit on vacation? We would love to hear about it!

Have an awesome weekend :)

with love, L&V

Special shout-out to Tania for all her contributions to this post!