If you want to feel better about your life, you need to get fit. That doesn't just mean being physically fit but having a healthy financial life. Being financially healthy has some of the same benefits as being physically fit. You can lower your stress level, sleep better, be energized and have more control over your future.

Like getting physically fit, it does take some effort to get started. It doesn't matter if you are having difficulties paying bills or trying to save for your retirement, being fit will make it easier. If you are feeling a little nervous about your future or just want to tone up your finances, here are some tips to help you get going!

Find an accountability partner - Temptation lurks everywhere. Having a partner to help you stay committed when it gets difficult is invaluable. Find a partner you can call on when you are having trouble sticking to your plan. It can be your spouse, partner, friend or a professional. Ask them to be there and remind you why you are getting fit and the benefits.

Get a physical - An annual physical helps you prevent problems and tracks your progress. Start your financial physical by calculating your net worth, cash flow, debt and savings ratios (how much you are paying or saving divided by your income). Compare your numbers against people in similar situations to see how healthy you are. You can find comparisons at Bundle.com.

Know yourself - Now you know your current situation. Before setting goals, it helps to understand how you got here. Don't focus on outside events and forces but rather those you can control, your own actions and motivations. We all have different attitudes about money. We learned these from our parents and over a lifetime of experiences. It helps to know where we are strong and where we have some work to do. Check out the Money Habitude cards (MoneyHabitudes.com) to learn more about how you handle money and what it means to you.

Set SMART goals - To be successful you must have Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely goals. A SMART goal might be; I want to save enough money to take a vacation to Hawaii in one year. I need to save $300 a month for the next ten months. I will do this by going out one less night a week, tutoring one night a week and eating lunch at my desk four days a week. If it is a long term goal, think about setting intermediate goals to keep motivated. For example, if you are working to be debt free in five years, set a timetable to erase each debt so you can celebrate successes along the way to your ultimate goal.

Be inspired - It took time and bad habits to get out of shape. It will take time and behavioral changes to see positive results. Changing old habits takes effort. We must train hard and often, to make the new habit part of our life. Give yourself a visual boost. Create a picture of what you want to achieve and the good things you will experience. Put it in a prominent place so you will see it throughout the day. Some people put it on their closet door, the mirror, phone or computer wallpaper - any place that you will see it and be inspired.

Get some support - Once you have set up your fitness program and made it through the first few weeks, it is easier to stay on track. But, we all have days where it is not so easy. This is where you call on your accountability partner. They cannot do the work or bail you out but they can encourage you to succeed. If you don't know where to start, look for a professional to help you set goals and provide resources. When looking for professional help ask for references, check out qualifications and find someone you can ask questions and get clear answers. As with a fitness trainer, professionals can help but you must want to change and put in the effort.

Everyone can improve their financial fitness and feel better about their future. Get started now!

If you would like copies of work sheets or a resource list to get started, send me an email or look for Straight Talk! at the Expo.

Tom Roberts, CFP® is the owner of A New Approach Financial Planning and co-founder of Straight Talk! He can be contacted at 941.927.9590 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . First published in the February 2012 edition of West Coast Woman.