I am a quote collector and my newest one is  attributed to the famous English poet and playwright Robert Browning. It says, quite simply, “Grow old with me. The best is yet to be.” I treasure this quote because it represents not only the desire I have to grow old with my husband, but reflects my own natural enthusiasm with life as I look forward.

Years ago I would have passed right over Browning’s quote. It simply wasn’t something my husband and I said to each other. When we married we were barely in our twenties. We were at our prime physically and carried few burdens. We had energy and our attentions were filled with building careers, a family and a happy home.

Today, 30 years later, we are realizing that to happily grow old together and keep the idea alive that the best is still ahead, we must daily attend to the matters of good health, nutrition and exercise. We must reach out to each other, communicate and dream. We must schedule time for our young adult children, our friends and neighbors, and extended family. We must not only care but schedule and sweat, imagine and engage.

With increasing urgency, my husband and I are scheduling exercise and healthy food into our lives. It’s fun at moments. It’s also challenging and uncomfortable at others. It requires discipline and consistency to be healthy as we move swiftly into middle age.

We have set a plan into motion that includes these components each day: carefully chosen meals, exercise that focuses on cardio and strength training, 64 ounces of water, a minimum of seven hours of sleep, vitamins, time with God, and reaching out to someone we love and care about. Our goal is to incorporate balance into our lives to contribute as best we can to the goal to grow old together and feel well enough to do things that matter to us both.

I’m most enthusiastic these days about the technology readily available to make these plans a daily reality. Thanks in great part to Steve Jobs, the Apple cofounder who sadly lost his fight with pancreatic cancer this week, I am able to keep track of these daily goals on my iPhone, using carefully selected apps. Throughout the day I use two apps to both educate me about the food I eat as well as keep track of my calories, exercise, water and vitamins.

I highly recommend “Fooducate,” which allows you to scan product barcodes in the grocery store with your phone. The information provided will help you quickly see good and bad highlights of food, compare products and select healthier alternatives. The version I use is free and runs on iPhones and iPads.

I also recommend “Calorie Counter Pro” by MyNetDairy. I’m able to keep track of calories, exercise, weight and measurements, water consumption, vitamins and daily thoughts. Customized health plans, social networks, and support are available for a nominal fee.

To believe the best is yet to be, we must be deliberate about taking care of ourselves. Won’t you join us?