Why Lasting Results Don’t Happen in a Straight Line And Why That’s a Good Thing
You’ve probably been on a sailboat before, maybe with a glass of champagne in hand while someone else handled the ropes. Or maybe your closest sailing experience is binge-watching Below Deck. Either way, stick with me, because sailing has more to do with your health goals than you might think.
Here’s the big takeaway: a sailboat doesn’t travel in a straight line. It moves in a zigzag pattern, a technique called tacking, to get from point A to point B. And when it comes to your wellness journey, this same zigzag is not only normal…it’s necessary.
In my work with clients, I see it all the time. We set a goal, maybe it’s weight loss, energy, strength, better digestion, or better sleep, and we expect to get there in one smooth, straight shot. But then life happens. We zig. We zag. And it’s easy to feel like we’ve failed. But just like a sailboat tacking across the water, those turns are actually part of how we move forward.
Vacations, holidays, stressful work weeks, colds, plateaus, these are not detours. They’re built into the process. Learning how to navigate them is the key to making lasting change. Without that practice, it’s easy to fall into the “on-again, off-again” pattern. You know the one: super strict, everything’s working, then BAM, vacation. The plan falls apart, and getting “back on track” feels impossible. Before long, we’re back where we started.
Let’s flip that script.
Rather than fearing setbacks, we can use them as training grounds. When a holiday rolls around, try something new. Keep a few routines intact while letting others flex. On your next trip, maybe it’s drinking plenty of water, getting exercise each day, or having a solid breakfast. The trip after that? Maybe you pack protein-rich snacks or stick with alcohol-free drinks one night. Each zig and zag teaches us something. We start craving our healthy routines again. Not out of guilt, but because they make us feel good.
Progress, not perfection, is the name of the game. Every experience becomes a stepping stone toward lifelong health. Think of it as building resilience, the ability to adapt, recover, and keep sailing forward no matter what life throws your way.
So the next time the scale creeps up or your routine is thrown off course, don’t panic. You’re not off-track. You’re tacking. You’re doing exactly what you need to do to reach your destination, and stay there for good.
When it feels like you’re going the “wrong” direction, remind yourself: you’re a sailboat. This is how sailing works. And you, my friend, are still moving forward.