You’ve heard it a thousand times: 50 is the new 40, 40 is the new 30, so on and so on. That’s all fine and good when you’re talking about how to dress, going out to see a band, or how you feel in general. But when it comes to exercise, you need to act your age. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I was obsessed with exercise. I was a triathlete, I ran like no tomorrow. It was all about competition, speed, how many miles I could get in, how many calories I could burn. I did yoga and pilates to balance all the hardcore running I was doing. I didn’t need anybody to motivate me, I did it myself. I got myself up and out the door every day, no problem. But now, at 45, my body just can’t take all the pounding of running, and I’m not going to risk injuring myself to try to keep up with my 20-something self. Nowadays, exercise is about creating strength, stability and flexibility than burning calories or competing. Now, I have to ask myself if I can do it at all, can I stick to it and finish it. The truth is, as you transition out of your 20s and 30s, you need to drop the no pain, no gain mentality. You have to listen to your body and accept that, as you get older, you will benefit in the long-run from accepting that you have limitations and they should not be ignored. Now, instead of running my ass off and competing with myself and everyone around me, I don’t run at all. Instead of running, I like to spin or take a cardio sculpt class, which is almost like a dance class and it’s super fun, or Crossfit. Instead of yoga and pilates balancing out the attack, they are a regular part of my fitness routine. In my 40s, I find that I need someone to push me, to keep me motivated through a workout. If I don’t have classes to go to, I am lost in my week, thinking, what am I going to do? Recently, my husband and I were staying at this beautiful golf resort and they had a fabulous gym. Wes and I made up our own work out. I’d be on the treadmill while he was jumping rope and then I’d jump rope and he’d do ab stuff. Then I’d do ab stuff and he’d do cardio burst, and so on. It was great to have someone to workout with, laugh with and have a friendly competition with. It was a way better workout than if I had tried to do it alone. Here are some tips for someone who is beginning to realize that the workouts they did in their 20s aren’t working the way they used to and their bodies just can’t do what they want anymore: Accept Your “Now” You We all get older, it is just a fact of life. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide or hide from. Get honest with yourself about what your body is really capable of. If you try to kid yourself at age 40 that you’ve still got the body of a 20 year old, you are going to wind up injuring yourself, you won’t be able to exercise at all and you will feel like you’re 60. Accept what you have, let go of what you used to have. Stop Competing Against Your Younger Self Exercise doesn’t have to be what it used to be. Sometimes, I get mad at myself for not being as strong or as fast as I used to be. But I found exercises that are every bit as challenging that don’t risk injury. Keep at it, but find exercises that work for your body where it is, not where it used to be or where you wish it were. Give yourself a break. As long as you’re getting a good workout, that’s what counts. Figure Out The Right Exercises for Your “Now” Self Marathon runners hit their prime in their 30s and 40s, but sprinters are done by the time they hit 30. Were you a runner and now you feel it in your knees every time your feet hit the ground? Try a spin class - those spin instructors are crazy! They will work you HARD. Your heart rate will still be pushed, but your knees won’t be in agony when you’re done. But, maybe you need to start being careful about pushing your heart rate too hard. Take a cardio sculpt class. Your whole body will be moving, your heart rate will go up, without pushing it to the limit. If you get your butt up and out the door, no matter what you do and what your age, you’re doing more than most people. Give yourself credit for that. Exercise is supposed to support your life, not be the thing that sets you up for knee replacement surgery in your 60s. This isn’t about ego and pride, it’s about taking care of your body, the whole package, at whatever stage it’s in. I’ve just given you three tips on how to look at exercise as you get older. Got a tip you’d like to share? Post it here. Like what you read? Share it on Facebook or Twitter. XO Hayley   Originally published on Mind Body Green.