Meet Your Body with Jessica Valant, MSPT

When you hear the term "mind-body exercise," you probably think of Pilates, yoga, tai chi or somatic movement. But isn't the mind involved in every type of exercise? And what if we could bring the benefits of mind-body awareness into everything we do? In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist and Pilates teacher Jessica Valant explores what mind-body exercise actually means, the science behind the mind-body connection and why she believes we should rethink how we categorize movement. From strength training and walking to Pilates and yoga, Jessica explains how bringing more intention, awareness and connection into our workouts can change the way we experience exercise and relate to our bodies. You'll learn: What the fitness world means when it uses the term "mind-body exercise" Why Pilates, yoga, tai chi and somatic movement are traditionally included in this category What proprioception, interoception and motor learning tell us about the connection between our brains and bodies The physical and mental health benefits associated with mind-body exercise Why mind-body awareness doesn't have to mean slow, gentle or easy movement How strength training, walking, running and other forms of exercise can incorporate mind-body principles Simple ways to bring more awareness, intention and connection into your current exercise routine You don't need to practice yoga, take a Pilates class or meditate to experience a mind-body connection. And you don't have to be perfectly mindful during every minute of exercise! Whether you love lifting weights, walking, Pilates, running or something entirely different, this episode will help you understand how to bring more intention and connection into the movement you're already doing. Sponsors Beam Minerals - Get 20% off with code MEETYOURBODY at the ⁠⁠link here⁠⁠ Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED app and free three day trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ How To Create a Workout Plan & Schedule: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000760480305 ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems like everywhere we turn, there's another wellness trend promising to help us look younger, feel better, live longer or optimize our health. Full-body scans, peptides, weighted vests, skin treatments, supplements, hormone therapy—the list is endless! But how do we decide what's actually worth doing? In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist and women's health expert Jessica Valant shares the aging and wellness trends she's currently embracing, the ones she's choosing to skip and the personal reasons behind those decisions. At 48, with a history of breast cancer, endometriosis, multiple surgeries and changing hormones, Jessica has learned that more testing, more treatments and more wellness strategies aren't always the answer. Jessica also explains two important things: Just because she's choosing not to do something doesn't mean it isn't beneficial for someone else. And just because she's skipping it today doesn't mean she won't reconsider in the future. This isn't about finding the perfect anti-aging routine or convincing everyone to make the same choices. It's about learning to evaluate health trends through the lens of your own body, medical history, goals and quality of life. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by everything you're supposedly supposed to be doing to age well, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to do it all. Sponsors Beam Minerals - Get 20% off with code MEETYOURBODY at the ⁠link here⁠ Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED app and free three day trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ Overwhelm and Health Information: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000728219871 ⚫︎ Supplements I'm Taking and Why: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000730727240 ⚫︎ Weighted Vest podcast: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000701897928 ⚫︎ My Perimenopause Journey: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000653471907⁠ ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walking is one of the most accessible and beneficial forms of movement we have. But with all the current emphasis on strength training, lifting heavy and changing how we exercise as we age, many women are starting to wonder: Is walking actually enough? The answer depends on what you mean by “enough" and includes nuance and specifics. In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist Jessica Valant breaks down the benefits—and limitations—of walking and explains where it fits into a well-rounded exercise routine. You'll learn: The proven physical and mental health benefits of walking Whether you really need to get 10,000 steps a day The difference between treadmill and outside walking Whether walking can help maintain muscle and bone strength Where walking falls short when it comes to strength, muscle, power and healthy aging The difference between activity and structured workouts How walking fits alongside strength training, Pilates, cardio and mobility Jessica also explains why the question “Is walking enough?” may be the wrong question in the first place. Walking doesn't have to do everything to be incredibly valuable. For someone who has been sedentary, walking may be one of the best places to start. For someone focused on building muscle and strength, walking alone probably isn't enough. And for someone trying to create a sustainable exercise routine for long-term health, walking can be an important piece of the bigger picture. If you've ever wondered whether your daily walks really “count,” how many steps you need, or if you should be doing something more, this episode will help you understand exactly what walking can do for your body—and where you may want to fill in the gaps. Don't stop walking because someone told you it isn't enough. Understand what walking does well, keep the movement you love, and add what your body needs from there. Sponsors: ➡️ Get 50% off and free breakfast with code meetyourbody50off - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.factormeals.com/meetyourbody50off Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ Three day free trial to UNLIMITED: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ 20 Minute Dumbbell Workout: https://youtu.be/zRayn_kDjZw ⚫︎ Weighted Vest Podcast: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000701897928 ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Toned” is one of the most common words in fitness. We are told we should want toned arms, toned legs and a toned stomach. We believe certain workouts will give us “long, lean muscles,” while heavier weights might make us “bulky.” But what does being toned actually mean—and can you really tone a muscle? In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist Jessica Valant breaks down the physiology behind muscle tone, muscle definition and the appearance we often describe as “toned.” She separates fitness marketing from what is actually happening in the body and explains what to focus on if becoming stronger and more defined is one of your goals. You'll learn: What muscle tone actually means from a physiological perspective What most of us really mean when we say we want to look “toned” The roles muscle mass, body fat and genetics play in muscle definition Whether you can spot-tone areas like your arms, stomach or thighs The truth about “long, lean muscles” and whether certain workouts can create them Whether lifting heavier weights will make women bulky What actually helps if increased muscle definition is one of your goals Why just focusing on harder workouts and fewer calories isn’t the answer If you've ever wondered whether you should lift heavier, do more reps, lose body fat, change your workouts or find the perfect exercise to “tone” a specific area, this episode is for you. It will give you science and actionable tips while also placing the focus on what really matters - you feeling strong, independent and empowered in your body.  Sponsors: ➡️ Get 20% off your water purifier from AquaTru with code MEETYOURBODY - ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.aquatru.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ How to Start Lifting Weights: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000719787855 ⚫︎ Progressive Overload: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000755983233 ⚫︎ Weight Loss Tips for Midlife: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000758876585⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women over 40 are hearing the message loud and clear: You need to strength train. You need to lift heavy. You need to build muscle. But what does that actually mean—and how much strength training do you really need? In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist Jessica Valant breaks down the science and practical realities of strength training for women in midlife and beyond. She explains why maintaining muscle and strength becomes increasingly important as we age, while cutting through some of the confusing and conflicting messages surrounding exercise for women over 40. You'll learn: Why strength training becomes increasingly important as we age What actually counts as strength training What “lift heavy” really means—and why heavy is different for everyone How many days a week you should strength train What progressive overload is and simple ways to use it The major movement patterns to include in a well-rounded strength program Where Pilates fits into strength training Why walking and cardio still matter How perimenopause, menopause, pelvic floor concerns, osteoporosis, previous injuries and recovery can affect your approach Jessica also explains why strength training doesn't need to be complicated or extreme to be effective. You don't need to spend every day in the gym, lift the heaviest weights possible or give up the other forms of movement you love. Whether you're completely new to strength training or wondering if your current routine is enough, this episode will help you build a realistic, effective approach that works for you. Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ Free three day trial to UNLIMITED https://app.jessicavalant.com/sign-up ⚫︎ How to Start Lifting Weights ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000719787855⁠⁠ ⚫︎ About Progressive Overload ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000755983233 ⚫︎ 20 Minute Beginner Dumbbell Workout: ⁠https://youtu.be/zRayn_kDjZw⁠ ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠ Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices