I need to confess right away I am not the brilliant person who came up with this phrase. “Be kind to your future self” was first introduced to me by Kathi Lipp. Kathi is an author, speaker, host of two podcasts, and a good friend of mine (even though she has no idea who I am).

Kathi speaks often of this concept. She’s taught me to take small steps that may take a little time now, but the future me will appreciate.

Some of her lessons I try to implement:

• Make coffee the night before (except during this Lenten season, in which I am fasting from coffee and sorely miss it)
• Prep what I want to write the day before by pulling up my Google Docs and jotting a few notes.
• Pull out my bible and whatever else I need for a “no excuses” quiet time.

This “be kind to your future self” concept got me thinking: how can I apply this to my health? Because isn’t that the reason I choose my foods wisely and move my body? I’m wanting to live a long, vibrant life. I want to be kind to it now.

Here are three ways I’m trying taking care of my future self.

Embracing magical moments

How would you define a magical moment? Mine vary.

• Sometimes it includes my family lingering around the empty dinner table laughing. We know homework is waiting and dishes need to be cleaned, but it’s hard to stop the flow of conversation.

• It’s my college friends who have flown from all over the country to meet for a weekend. We’re sitting on a balcony overlooking the ocean. Wine and conversation flow.

• My younger son and I digging into the seasonal jelly beans, picking out our favorites (mine: red and green; him: black and white).

I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. Not a thing. When I look back in my life, I believe these are what will make me smile.

The sum of single moments define who we are.

Not all moments are perfectly healthy. In fact, some are the opposite of anything a nutritionist would recommend. But if I restrict my moments to those that fit within dietary standards, I’m going to miss out.

Allowing myself to have experiences – healthy or not – that make me smile now and in the future is about as kind as it gets.

Not wearing down my body

I am currently in a strange state. A nagging piriformis issue (a small muscle deep in my butt) prevents me from running. Plantar fasciitis on my left foot and I are in a war. I somehow developed “golfer’s elbow” despite not being a golfer. This means I’m sidelined from running and lifting anything that requires my arm to bend. So basically, everything.

Perhaps all the years of wear and tear have caught up. Are the miles on the roads and periods of teaching four fitness classes in 24 hours having a delayed reaction? Could it be that even though I’m foam rolling, clam-shelling, and fascia blasting, I’m too late? Am I just going to hobble out of bed for the rest of my life?

I know lifelong runners will vehemently disagree with me. They’ll tell me it’s not running’s fault. That’s fair. Yes, one can spend a lifetime lacing up their Adidas and slapping on their Garmin without injury. But what works for them may not be what’s best for me.

What I do know is I want my future self to hike with her husband. I want to sit cross-legged on the floor with my grandchildren. Maybe we’ll even throw an active vacation in.

Regardless of the activity, my future self wants to be active.

I need to honor her today by continuing to move, but prime the body rather than punish it. Listen to her when she tells me she needs rest.

Choosing the right foods

This feels obvious. And slightly annoying. After all, I’m a proponent of balance and moderation. Bring on the wine and chocolate!

Not all the time, though.

In the book “Atomic Habits,” author James Clear discusses how focusing on small habits helps meet our larger goals.

For example, instead of a salad, we can order a cheeseburger and fries every day for lunch. We probably won’t see a difference in the scale the first day. Maybe not even the first week. But do that every day for a week or month? The numbers begin creeping up. Do it for a year and not only has our external physique changed, but our heart, blood, and liver panels are affected as well.

Making wise choices over time will allow our future self to meet her goals.

Over the past ten years, my right foods have evolved. Dairy was dropped from my diet. I’ve found I respond well to (mostly) gluten-free eating. Salmon is chosen over steaks.

I’ve also branched out in incorporating new-to-me vegetables. Who knew beets could be blended into smoothies? And roasted shaved Brussels sprouts …  dare I say those are delicious?

Finding the right foods to fuel me now will fuel my future self… even with a little chocolate and wine sprinkled in.

Take some time to consider what you want your future self to look like. (By the way, allow her to have a few wrinkles and saggy skin. In some cultures this is a point of pride.)

Keep your heart, eyes, and Asics focused on your future self. She’ll look back and thank you one day … especially for those magical moments with her best friends and a bottle of wine.

What are you doing today that supports her? What would she tell you to change?