So you ask - why go to Vegas in July? A few months ago tickets went on sale for a concert in the Twin Cities. Oh no - it's on the same day as two weddings we have to attend. So the question was - where else are they playing? Vegas - perfect! Tickets were purchased and then we realized we had to buy plane tickets, get a hotel, and it was in July, in Vegas. But as the young people these days say "YOLO" (you only live once)
The funny thing is...Jessie and I have been to Vegas four times in the last few years. We don't drink, smoke, gamble, party, or particularly like to stay up late, but we LOVE Vegas. Here's why...you get off the plane, take a shuttle, and you are there. You don't have to leave but if you do, you can take a bus. Everything you need is walkable. And that's what we do, we walk, all day, all night. This time I had my fit bit (www.fitbit.com) and I was pumped to see how many steps and miles we actually covered going up and down the strip.
Let's go back to why we went to Vegas. New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, and 98 Degrees. Boy bands from my teen years, all in one concert. It was amazing. They only get better with age.
We got our neon outfits on and I put my hair on top of my head and away we went.
Mission of the trip accomplished - great concert. Now for more walking and exploring. Sunday morning we set out walking and decided "wouldn't it be cool to walk a marathon - 26.2 miles?" It seemed reasonable. We walked from our hotel, down to the far end of the strip for tickets to a show, walked back to the hotel, down to the other end, back to lunch, down to the Vegas sign, back, and around, and around, and around, and around.
Did I mention it was HOT? HOT? If I had a nickel for every time someone said to me, it's a "dry heat" It is still HOT. But after walking back from the Vegas sign, I was at about 40,000 steps (approx. 17 miles or so). New goal of 50,000 steps instead of a marathon. Can I get there?
But if we were going to walk all these miles we needed fuel. So we bought a buffet pass because we've never eaten at a buffet in Vegas. Some might say - what? A buffet? Here was our strategy. Proteins, variety, veggies, the opportunity to make smart choices. Overall we did great.
Until we hit the dessert bar.....
My fit bit never reset time zones so technically the end of the day was 10pm Vegas time. We are now walking to a Cirque show at New York, New York casino. I am about ready to give up because I am at 48,500 and it's 9:30 and we have a show at 10pm. Jessie says "we can do this, let's do laps around the casino" So we go in, walk fast around the perimeter, and end up in a hallway. I start running "jogging" up and down this hall. I am in a full on sweat. Then I run up and down the stairs, down the hall, down the stairs, around the casino and at 9:50 I reach 50,000 steps! Mission accomplished. We run into the show and relax.
The next day I get an email from a client. It went something like "wow, 50,000 steps, that's incredible" But what was really cool was this.
It also reminds me of the importance of a good peer group. If you hang out with positive, healthy people, they will reinforce your views on health and exercise. If you hang out with people who do not value exercise, it makes it harder to achieve your goals on your own.
Here is an article I wrote for Lifetime Weight Loss Flourish Newsletter about relationships and a healthy lifestyle.
http://www.lifetime-weightloss.com/blog/2013/1/2/8-relationships-you-can-build-to-help-you-lose-weight.html
Ha. Here is what walking over 21 miles in one day looks like on the way home. Happy walking everyone!
Find your supportive friends, go for a walk, and enjoy life!
Have a great week.
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