I am on a vision quest
Does anyone remember that movie “Vision Quest”? It was a 1980s film starring Matthew Modine and Linda Florentino.
I have actually seen it a couple of times. The first time I came upon it, I thought it was a Lifetime network sort of film that addressed male anorexia. Obviously I caught the scenes where he denied himself food (what I didn’t know at the time was that there was a reason for it — non-anorexia related). I kind of rolled my eyes and turned the television off then.
A few years later, I happened to see a promo for it on TNT. The promo caught my eye as well as the title of the movie. I watched the whole thing. It wasn’t bad! There were some parts of the movie where I was inspired by his relentless perseverance and others where I just wanted him to eat a sandwich and get the girl.
You see, it is as though he had blinders on. The kind of blinders that horses wear in order to block their peripheral vision so that they continue down the path they are supposed to without any visual interference that might hinder their journey. Matthew Modine’s character was the same way. He denied himself food, sex and anything else that hinder his progress or sway him from meeting his ultimate goal.
Oddly enough, when I started this back in December, I figuratively put *my* blinders on. The only thing I could see was getting to my goal. At the time, everything was so consistent and predictable. I found that I *could* shift my focus to my health.
Things have changed up a bit since then and I find that I crave having blinders on. I crave having a one-on-one session with myself at the gym. I know that I will be able to get back to that but in the meantime I am fighting like hell to stay on whatever track I can. Right now, it is a day-by-day thing.
I guess my point is, blinders on or not, I am still on this vision quest. I am still excited about the progress I am making, even if that progress only consists of teeny-tiny steps at a time. I am glad that I had that short time to focus only on myself because it has allowed my mind to open up and for me to start making conscious decisions about my health, my self-confidence and my life.
If I can still be successful on this journey while enduring the amount of stress and upsets that I have had over the past few weeks and *STILL* be excited about the process and *STILL* be excited about life and the ever after… then quite frankly… ANYONE can.
With that said, do you feel that you are on a vision quest? Have there been times during your journey that you have had your blinders on? Did you like the feeling?
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I remember him not eating before his weigh in! I am very focused on my healthy lifestyle right now. I guess that could be a vision quest.
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I’ve never seen the movie, but I understand that relentless drive towards a specific goal. It’s great and all, but when the blinders come off, it’s a splash, heck it’s a tidal wave, of cold water.
I’ve always felt that it’s best to start a weight loss journey with as few distractions as possible. Get yourself into the groove, teach yourself new habits, etc. Then slowly add the world back into your life. It’s difficult, but you can’t live the rest of your life in a bubble.
Keep going day by day, and you’ll find the journey won’t necessarily get easier, but that you’ll be better prepared to meet its challenges.
You’re doing a great job and keep up the good work!!!
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Hi Kellie! I’m on my 9th week of my program – with only one cheat. I’d say that I’ve had blinders on! B*U*T, I think it’s time to take them off and see what’s going on around me! My focus has been… I don’t know – 80-85% on myself lately and I have 3 kids, 2 dogs, 1 husband, and a hell of a “messy” house. I have an “obssesive” personality and when I start something new I jump in with both feet until I get burnt out (reading the healthy books, trying new recipes (that the rest of the family isn’t excited about), shopping for healthy products, exercising, blogging and reading health inspiring blogs… etc.) I’m not burnt out on my healthy changes but I do need to start incorporating them into “normal life” instead of letting them take over my life (and before my singular focus DOES burn me out). The blinders have served me well, though – 40 pounds down already – but they need to come off – or at least come off more often so my attention can be on the rest of my life more. ~ Angie
I love it when a post makes me “think” – thanks!
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I remember that movie! LOL Gotta love 80’s movies!
Sometimes blinders are a good thing. The last few days have been incredibly stressful for me and I gotta get my ass back in the gym. That’s where I’m at right now.
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i love it when i have my blinders on and am busting through whatever goal i have set. right now i can’t seem to find them so i’m working working working to focus! it will be worth it. awesome for you that you are still excited and taking steps. and i love 80’s movies
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I’m totally on a “Vision Quest” right now – though I don’t know if my personal definition of what that means is different from yours. See, I moved to a small city in China seven months ago. At the time, I didn’t know what made me do it. Now, though, I know that I was searching for something – the opportunity to take time to “find myself”. And it was seriously the greatest thing I ever did.
I’m really happy with where the journey has taken me, and I finally felt ready to start making plans to head back home a few months ago. I’m moving back to Toronto on April 17th (which also happens to be my birthday!), and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Bottom line? Vision Quests are sweet. I’m glad you’re enjoying yours, too!
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Never heard of the movie, but I totally love this post! I think I have to remind myself sometimes that baby steps, are better then standing still!
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OMG Vision Quest! I LOVED that movie as a kid. Louden!!! The scene of him jumping rope in the empty gym, running in his tin foil looking sweat suit! Ahh, memories.
I can totally relate to being on a vision quest. I’ve been telling people to get used to it for 12 weeks. I’m doing Body for Life and it’s a 12 week program. I feel like I eat sleep and breathe BFL right now. Blinders for me have been so helpful. I suppose when you just say “enough” your only option is to get down and just do it and let nothing stop you. It’s such a great feeling.
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The unseen threat in all of this is that as people struggle to downsize obesity the knock on effect of all of this then emerges as levels of fitness tightens up with no available exercise being taken and more disease becoming prevalent…If Central Governments don’t take a grip soon then we could be facing an over weight problem.
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