Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

[jman01]

Ok, so Ive lost 37 pounds in 39 days so far and I couldn't be prouder of myself. I attribute my success to a lot of planning. Im going to be in vegas for 5 days and 4 nights and I will try my best to stay as close to the extended induction I have been on in, but I am aware that certain situations my arise where I will cheat. I think more than anything I am looking for lesser of two evils type thing. I realize that if I do cheat over those 5 days that I will most likely throw myself out of Ketosis but I think I am more than capable of getting right back on it when I come back.

I think breakfast will be one of the simplest meals to stay induction friendly on. Im going to be with friends and I dont want to have to special order things. Do you think I will be ok eating w/e Bacon, sausage and eggs they have? I ask this because I would assume that a lot of there Bacon and sausage could have sugars added and the eggs could have some kind of starch added for fluffyness.

Lunch is probably the meal I am going to struggle with the most since the preffered food of choice is most likely going to be some type of burger or wrap. If I do eat some type of bread am I best off to have a white wrap, some type of pita or a burger with a wheat bun?

I think dinner wont be to horribly tough except for possibly sides. If I decide to not eat vegetables(which is unlikely), what is my next best option?

The biggest problem is going to be liquor. I have no doubt that I will drink and from what I understand Rum and Vodka are my best choices. My problem here is that I dont know what to use for a mixer. I dont have the tolerance to drink either straight up so I was wondering if diet coke would be a better choice than some type of juice. Also if I have do have beer what would be my best option(I use to only drink bottled beer).

Its not that I dont have the willpower to stay on the path that I am on,its just that I want to have a backup plan in case I dont know what to do (i.e - everyone wants to go to a burger place, and I wont eat it without the bun infront of 9 other guys). I just want to be prepared for everything and anything. I dont see a problem with staying away from refined sugars, regular soday, things like that.

Any advice would be great.

[liv]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

That is wonderful progress you have there. Too bad this trip is happening now Once you have been through the OWL process you would have learned a lot about which foods would work and which you absolutly have to stay away from if possible.
So the best you can do now it maybe look to a glycemic list and see which option are supposed to better.
You can Google Glycemic index and see. Think about the lower carb options of what your options are. I would do a whole wheat wrap before white bread for instance.

Vegetables are really the best kind of side dishes - the other common side dishes are starches and not really good for anything. I am not sure what to suggest

Diet pops would be far better choices than juices for your drinks. There is diet tonic too. Be aware that alcohol may have a more powerful effect on you when you are low carbing so take it easy.
Drink plenty of water.

And make a pact with yourself. No matter what happens You are back on induction as soon as you are home and not one second later.
Hope you have fun

[imagood1]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

Vegas has grocery stores - many corner markets --- you can always find good things to eat there.

Breakfast will be easy -- for other meals look for fish or chicken meals. Green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, salad bars -- all make for easy meals - but taste everything and if it's sweet or salty don't eat it OR eat very little of it.

Good luck.

[jman01]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

As far as liquor what would be better vodka or rum? And which is going to taste better with Tonic (which Ive never had before).

[mizski]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

As far as liquor what would be better vodka or rum? And which is going to taste better with Tonic (which Ive never had before).

Tonic or tonic water as in vodka & tonic (with a lemon and/or lime) or rum & diet Coke. Out of those two drinks, the rum & diet coke would have a lot of caffeine if you have more than one. From experience I remember vodka (actually, I used to drink vodka & soda water w/lemon or lime as regular tonic water has calories/carbs) did not give me as nasty a hangover as rum did.

If you go the beer route, ask for one of the low carb beers (there are many out there now).

Remember that booze will hit you hard so be careful. Even in Vegas, it's not good to be a jackass.

[barrnone]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

my sister drinks vodka with club soda and lemon...? It's very good.

[jman01]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

Yea Im not a heavy drinker, but Im going to be there with friends so I just want something that is not horrible for me like Jack and Coke. So I guess soda water is going to be better than tonic, or will most places have diet tonic?

[Slapshot]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

I admire (and understand) your fears and concerns here.

I just got back from a week's trip to Disneyworld and lost 2 lbs in that week. On the plane, I realized that I had two choices for this trip: gain weight or lose weight. It was hard, but with all the walking/exercise, I was able to eat right and still lose. Don't shortchange yourself on what you think you can accomplish in Vegas.

Also, for what it's worth, starting Atkins (initially) has been ten times easier than re-starting (for me) when I go off-plan. Not sure why that is, but that little reality scared the bejeezus out of me on my trip. It's very hard for me to re-start.

[Slapshot]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

If you go the beer route, ask for one of the low carb beers (there are many out there now).

FYI to the OP, I saw an ad yesterday for Bud Select 55, with 55 calories and 1.9g carbs. Beats Michelob Ultra's 2.6 (I think).

Lunch is probably the meal I am going to struggle with the most since the preffered food of choice is most likely going to be some type of burger or wrap. If I do eat some type of bread am I best off to have a white wrap, some type of pita or a burger with a wheat bun?

In Disney, I must have had 7 double bacon cheeseburgers. I threw the bun away, spread mayo, tomato, lettuce and onion on them, and ate them with a knife and fork. There's really no need to eat a bun when you can just double the meat and get a great meal without the carbs. I know what you say about eating like that in front of other guys, but the comments I used to get stopped once people saw how much weight I had lost. It's one thing to make fun of someone who hasn't had success on the program yet - I think you should give your buddies the benefit of the doubt here - they might be impressed.

[mizski]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

Yea Im not a heavy drinker, but Im going to be there with friends so I just want something that is not horrible for me like Jack and Coke. So I guess soda water is going to be better than tonic, or will most places have diet tonic?

I've never seen diet tonic water anywhere in any restaurant or bar which why I drank the vodka & soda (club soda) with lemon/lime.

[FwL]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

(i.e - everyone wants to go to a burger place, and I wont eat it without the bun infront of 9 other guys).

If you plan on being successful with this diet, you're going to have to tackle this one.

I work in construction, so I'm surrounded by "macho men" every day. I know how embarrassing it can feel to be the "fat guy on a diet" in front of the boys. But if you ever hope to not be that fat guy on a diet, you're gonna need to devote yourself to looking for ways to stick to the plan rather than looking for ways to not feel "less than" in front of your peers.

end of sermon.

[jman01]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

Im thinking Im going to try and just have chicken wings for lunch. Plain if I have to. I really rather not go the No bun burger route, any other ideas for lunch besides a salad? I also wont be going to any grocery stores, we always spend a lot of time in the casino's so most of my time is spent somewhere Im going to have to eat out at.

[Slapshot]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

Im thinking Im going to try and just have chicken wings for lunch. Plain if I have to. I really rather not go the No bun burger route, any other ideas for lunch besides a salad? I also wont be going to any grocery stores, we always spend a lot of time in the casino's so most of my time is spent somewhere Im going to have to eat out at.

Unbreaded buffalo (not teriyaki) wings are fine. I agree with Forrest on the bun thing, too. I'm often the one at cocktail parties with a club soda, or the bunless burger at the hockey game. I got over it a long time ago. Plus, none of my 250lb+ buddies have the nerve to mock my eating habits as I'm sitting there at 189 eating a double bacon cheeseburger slathered with mayonnaise.

As far as other lunch ideas go, you're looking at steaks w/ veggies, cobb salads w/ chicken, salmon or grilled shrimp, sandwiches without the roll/bun, or things along those lines. Just make sure you add mayo/dressings to whatever you eat to keep your fat ratio up.

[chauber]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

What about boiled shrimp...shrimp cocktail without the sauce...that is usually readily available. Chicken Wings will be great...and just think...you can bet money on it that in all the people in the casinos you are NOT the ONLY ONE eating low carb...someone else is too.

I agree starting atkins the first go around was much easier than joining the STAC. I have also found that my body is more resistant to losing weight this time. Make your mind up ahead of time and stick to your plan.

[jman01]

Re: Going to Vegas and I know Im going to cheat

I mean the truth is I dont want to cheat. Ive lost so much weight so fast and I still have 86 pounds to go. My first day of atkins was miserable, Ive literally never felt so bad in my entire life, I dont want to go thru that again. Like I said I just dont want to be somewhere and have not a clue what to order. Whenever I go out to eat at home I always look things up on the internet or on this Forum and find out what it is that Im allowed to have. The more I read the responses though the easier this seems to me.