Financial wellness isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle choice

Unless you’re built like an Olympic athlete (congratulations if you are), chances are you have someone in your life whose physique you admire and aspire to. Now ask yourself this question: Has that person ever dieted?

The answer is probably no. They have maintained a rigorous commitment to a healthy lifestyle. More than likely they pay attention to their calorie intake the way most people pay attention to their Facebook and Twitter feeds. They’re in the gym hours before you’re awake. They are constantly learning about new exercises, new healthy recipes and new ways to stay fit. Physical wellness has become a way of life for that person.

Much like physical wellness, when it comes to financial wellness, there is no such thing as dieting. It is a lifestyle change.

Diets are short-term solutions. While they sometimes produce short-term results, they are not sustainable because they don’t address the main reason for weight gain: a lack of self-control.

Like anything in life worth pursuing, the path to financial wellness is not easy. It requires constant awareness of your financial standing, the creation of and adherence to a budget and an intrinsic desire to always learn how you can save more. In other words, the path to financial wellness requires self-control.

Luckily, you don’t have to make the journey alone. There are plenty of resources available (like the ones you’ll find on this site), and there are financial planning professionals who can help you understand how to make the most of those resources and set you on the path to financial wellness.

The great thing is, while dieting often leads to craving certain foods, financial wellness rarely leads to craving irrational spending. In fact, increased financial wellness can have the opposite effect. Instead of craving spending splurges, you will seek out new ways to save.

You’ll find that, once you exert self-control in one area of your life, other critical areas will start to shape up. The possibilities are endless: a great financial life, great relationships, great spiritual life, a great attitude.

Who knows, maybe once you’ve attained self-control through financial wellness, you can give your ripped-out friend a run for their money in the gym as well.