/news-archive/tag/health-and-fitness/ ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:38:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2018/03/07/love-running-builds-unbreakable-bond-twin-brothers/ Wed, 07 Mar 2018 22:38:53 +0000 /news/?p=69712 ... Love of running builds unbreakable bond between twin brothers]]> For the second year in a row, Karl Lenser, employee wellness coordinator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, took first place in the men’s 55-59 age group at the Little Rock Half Marathon on March 3.  Overall, Lenser finished 27th out of around 3,900 runners with a time of 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 57 seconds. His identical twin brother, Kurt Lenser of Nashville, finished fourth in their age group and 72nd overall with a time of one hour and 34 minutes. The race marks the 39th year the twin brothers have built a bond through a love of running and fitness. “I was very pleased to get first in my age group,” Lenser said. “It’s fun to line up together with my brother and run. For the last 10 years, Kurt has known that I’d beat him, but it doesn’t bother him. I want him to do well, and he wants me to do well.” The tradition began with two college students in need of a summer class. In 1979, as soon-to-be juniors at the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, the brothers signed up for Jogging and Fitness 101. “It’s funny how one class can change your life,” Lenser said. “We needed a physical activity credit to become juniors, and that is what started it all. We started doing races that summer and got hooked.” The class inspired both brothers to continue their education, earn a master’s degree in exercise science, and go into health and wellness careers. While Karl spends his days getting ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock employees in shape and teaching indoor cycling classes at Conway Regional Health and Fitness Center, his brother Kurt works as a personal trainer at Prairie Athletic Club in Franklin, Tennessee. They also visit each other several times a year to compete in races. This marks the fourth year they have competed in the Little Rock Half Marathon together, though Karl has competed every year except for two. “It’s just fun to still be able to compete with each other, visit, and tell war stories from past races,” Karl said. “We have the challenge of racing and seeing how well we can do.” He also enjoyed seeing fellow ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock runners identified by new maroon T-shirts. To promote fitness and health among students and employees, ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock sponsored 98 Little Rock Marathon runners in the 5k, 10k, half marathon and marathon categories. “It’s pretty cool to see other runners and walkers wearing the Trojan T-shirt,” Karl said. “I have seen quite a few students and employees online holding up their finisher’s medals. It was a great, positive thing for the university to organize and promote Team ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock. It created camaraderie and a lot of positive energy on campus.” In the upper right photo, twin brothers Kurt (left) and Karl Lenser (right) earned fourth and first place in the men’s 55-59 age group at the Little Rock Half Marathon. ]]> /news-archive/2017/11/15/holiday-weight-management-101/ Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:53:53 +0000 /news/?p=68577 ... Holiday Weight Management 101]]> The six-week holiday season is fast approaching. For many individuals, this is a challenging time if weight control is a concern. Studies over the years have shown that the average weight gain between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is 6-8 pounds, which translates to 21,000–28,000 extra, unwanted fat calories. You would have to walk 175-230 miles to burn off those calories (120 calories/mile).  Despite the obstacles that seem to arise daily with parties, office treats, and family gatherings, the holiday season can be a good time to implement a few simple strategies and tactics that may help you maintain your current weight and propel you into the new year on a positive note. Here are a few tips that may help you with your battle with the holiday weight gain monster.

• Try to avoid the “buffet/all-you-can-eat” mindset on Thanksgiving Day. Why be miserable and bloated after the meal? Practice portion control with the goal of being content and satisfied and not uncomfortable. Your mind and attitude can help you be victorious during the caloric wars that you will encounter throughout the holidays.
• Portion control is critical every day and not just at Thanksgiving. Ask yourself, ”Do I really need this much to be content?”
• Extra caution is suggested when going back for seconds. Remember that a piece of pie may be worth more than 400 calories!
• Let “Eating with Moderation” be your mantra for Thanksgiving.
• Schedule a walk or run on Thanksgiving and Black Friday mornings. You will feel better doing some form of exercise before or after meals.
• Journal 101: Recording your workouts is powerful and becomes a great reinforcement tool that sends a positive message to your brain.
• Weigh yourself prior to Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, and make a goal of keeping that weight through December. Claim a victory if you do maintain this weight!
• Having a workout partner is a fantastic and effective tool to stay motivated, consistent, and accountable.
• Enjoy the holiday parties and festivities and be realistic when attending holiday functions that are loaded with foods and beverages that are not part of your usual diet. Enjoy with moderation.
• Designate Sunday evenings as a planning time for the upcoming week. Schedule an exercise time for each day of the week instead of “winging it.”

Managing your weight during this time of the year is definitely a challenge due to busy schedules and the seemingly unlimited supply of high-caloric foods that are readily available throughout each day. However, with a little planning, preparation, and a “moderation mindset,” individuals can maintain their pre-Thanksgiving weight and head into the new year on a positive note. Staying active on a consistent basis and incorporating some basic diet strategies can definitely help you win the weight gain war. This is a special column written by ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser. ]]>