The problem is that many of these ergogenic aids have negative side effects.  Take a look: The most common ingredient of all energy drinks is caffeine; which is a natural diuretic.  Too much caffeine combined with increased amounts of carbohydrates can slow down the fluid and nutrient absorption.  Caffeine affects our central nervous system and [...]

You and Your Energy How to Elevate Your Life and Keep Your Engine Humming! Written by: Julia Karlstad, M.Ed., CSCS Who hasn’t complained of fatigue, exhaustion, stress, or insomnia?  In this fast-paced world, it seems we’re all searching for a method to regain our energy and improve our stamina!  We all seem to be looking [...]

Stop Your Ego and Exercise Written by: Julia Karlstad, M.Ed., CSCS Do you ever go through your day and wonder if your mind is ever going to stop?  Do you have conversations with yourself?  Ongoing conversations that spin from one thought to the next and each thought perpetuates to another and before you know it [...]

My blog this week is inspired by one of my new personal training clients.  Her story, just like so many others, is one that turns pure disgust into motivation.  She basically had her “wake up call” two weeks ago when she stepped on the scale and saw a number that she had never seen before…she [...]

As we all know, following a well-balanced diet is easier said than done.  Whether it is a lack of education, a lack of willpower, or a combination of both – it can be a daunting task to keep your eating habits in check each and every day!  If you are in the majority of the [...]

Every time I am at the gym, I hear people talking about “working their abs”.  For most, it is an afterthought:  “I am going to do some abs real quick, then I am done with my workout”.  For others, it is simply a placeholder between other primary exercises:  “Let’s do some abs in between sets”.  [...]

Dear Julia Help me! I was really feeling my oats the other day at the gym (figuratively not literally, honestly I don’t remember the last time I had oats).  So I was cruising right along at level 2 on the elliptical; must have been on it for thirty minutes at least!  I was working up [...]

Founder and President of JKFITNESS, LLC, Julia Karlstad, was recently published in the Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) magazine.  Earlier this year, Julia was selected to the “Top 9” among an elite group of fitness professionals vying for “Personal Fitness Professionals (PFP) Trainer of the Year” honors.  As the only female among this amazing group of [...]

As a follow up blog from last week, here are some convenient “pocket workouts” for beginners!  If you are confused about what a “pocket workout” actually is…you can re-read last week’s blog or just continue reading for a brief refresher. When it comes to consistent exercise, one of the biggest barriers (excuses) we hear from [...]

When it comes to consistent exercise, one of the biggest barriers (excuses) I hear from clients is “I have no time”.  We have all been guilty of using this excuse from time to time – pun intended – but in reality we are more than likely rationalizing other reasons why we skip a workout.  It [...]