Healing Isn’t Linear—And That’s Okay
- Dr. Howard A. Friedman MD, founder of HHOM LLC
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
7-13-2025
By Dr. Howard Friedman MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC
Some days I rose, some days I sank,
The line was jagged—not a plank.
But still I walked, and still I tried—
Not every win comes straight or wide.
The map to health is rarely neat,
But every step still moves your feet.
--- Dr. Howard Friedman, MD
My Journey: From 238 to 180
Healing isn't linear. I know this from personal experience.
At one point, my weight reached 238 pounds—fueled by a processed, Western diet and a sweet tooth that never seemed satisfied. Determined to change, I began tracking my progress. Over the next couple of years, I dropped to 180 pounds. But the graph I kept wasn’t a straight slope—it was jagged. Full of spikes, dips, and plateaus. A real journey.
Yes, I exercised and got decent sleep, but the hardest work was in the kitchen and between the ears—retraining my habits, confronting my cravings, and holding onto my why.
The Illusion of the Perfect Trajectory
Medicine loves a good before-and-after photo. But what often gets lost is the middle part—the hard, messy, unglamorous story of real change. As a veteran, and as a physician, I’ve seen how our culture pushes instant results. “Fix it now.” Bounce back.” “No excuses.” But healing doesn’t work that way. Not for PTSD, not for chronic illness, not for inflammation or grief—or even weight loss. Real growth isn’t linear. It loops, stalls, doubles back. And yet—it moves.
Even when it doesn’t look like progress, it is.
Setbacks Are Part of Progress
The body isn’t a robot—it’s a living system in constant flux. Hormones rise and fall. Inflammation comes and goes. Stress chemicals surge. Metabolism adapts.
And here’s the kicker: your body is wired to protect its current weight. Losing significant pounds means overriding that system. No wonder it feels like a battle.
I’ve worked with veterans facing chronic pain, PTSD, diabetes, heart disease. Every one of those journeys had setbacks. And every one was still worth taking. Healing is not a sprint—it’s a marathon, sometimes an ultra-marathon. A plateau or a backtrack? Not a failure. Just part of the road.
What Helped Me Stay the Course
I stayed the course because my values aligned with my actions. As a physician, I didn’t want to just talk about health—I wanted to live it. I switched to a whole-food, mostly plant-based diet. It wasn’t easy. But my "why" kept me focused: I wanted to lower inflammation, increase longevity, and share many more years with the love of my life, my wife Ibojka.
That commitment—fueled by purpose—was my engine. For others, it might be journaling, spiritual practice, a support group, or simply walking every day. At HHOM LLC, we believe in the whole person: body, mind, and purpose. That’s how healing becomes sustainable.
Advice to Anyone on a Nonlinear Path
If you’re on a journey and the graph isn’t smooth—good. You’re human.
Keep going, even if progress stalls. Use tools that work for you:
Track your journey (graphs, journals, apps)
Stay connected (friends, veterans’ groups, therapists)
Practice self-compassion (you’ll need it more than grit)
Remember your why
Each step is enough. Each step is sacred.
Final Reflection: The Real Win
The real win isn’t in the numbers. It’s in the commitment. It’s in showing up for yourself, again and again, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Healing is in our nature; a straight line is not the way.
HHOM LLC is the place to go, where you have your say.
Life is a journey, learning and awareness show us the light,
Love of the self, the power inside, the strength needed for the fight.
Thank you for reading. If you’re on a journey of healing, I see you. Keep walking. You're not alone.
—Dr. Howard Friedman MD
Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps
Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Why does weight loss (or healing in general) rarely follow a straight line?
A: Because the body isn’t a machine. Healing is a biological process influenced by hormones, inflammation, stress, sleep, and emotional health. You can do everything “right” and still experience plateaus or setbacks. That doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re human.
Q: How can setbacks be part of progress instead of proof you’re going backward?
A: Setbacks are often the body’s way of adapting and recalibrating. Weight, mood, and energy fluctuate as your metabolism and nervous system adjust. Every spike or dip builds resilience. As long as you keep showing up for yourself, you’re still moving toward health.
Q: What helped you stay committed during your journey from 238 to 180 pounds?
A: Purpose. My “why” was bigger than numbers on a scale—I wanted longevity, vitality, and more years with my wife. That focus carried me through cravings, stalls, and hard days. When your reason for healing is deeply personal, it’s easier to keep going even when the graph looks messy.
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