- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Employee Wellness Program presents new fitness challenge

Jenny Lambert — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:33:58 +0000

The Employee Wellness Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock encourages all faculty and staff to join its upcoming fitness challenge, “Put Some Steps into Your Spring,” from Feb. 6 to March 19. The goal of the six-week program is to get ��Vlog��ý Little Rock employees up and moving while improving their daily lives through exercise. “Based on the comments I have received from employees who have participated in previous challenges, the greatest benefit of the step challenge is that it provides motivation for many employees to increase their physical activity,” said Karl Lenser, coordinator of the Employee Wellness Program. �� The program format is based on the number of steps participants accumulate over the course of the program. Participants are encouraged to reach 150,000 steps by the end of the challenge, equating to 3,571 steps per day. Steps can be acquired in a number of ways including walking, jogging, cycling, attending a group exercise class, as well as tackling daily activities such as walking the dog or running errands on campus. Employees are free to use tracking devices, such as Fitbits or cellphones, to calculate their steps, or they can request a pedometer from the Office of Health Services. By 5 p.m. every Monday, participants are required to record their steps in a Google form provided by Lenser. To get employees motivated, the first 100 people to register will receive a free T-shirt. To keep them on their toes, random prizes will also be awarded to participants who meet the minimum weekly requirement of 20,000 steps. For more information, contact Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu, the Office of Health Services at 501.569.3188, or register here.

��Vlog��ýLR to host employee wellness workshop on stress management

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 14:49:31 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host an employee wellness workshop on stress management at noon Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Donaghey Student Center Leadership Lounge.�� The workshop, “Stress and Your Health,” will provide information on what can cause stress, its negative effects, and how to manage stress levels. Fill out this online form to register for the event. For more information, contact Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser at 501.907.8974 or ljlenser@uarl.edu.

��Vlog��ýLR presents Walk the 200 fitness competition

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 19:48:09 +0000

Organizers of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Employee Wellness program are encouraging all university employees to join the Walk the 200 fitness competition. From Oct. 10 to Nov. 20, participants are challenged to walk at least 200 minutes per week. At the end of each week, employees will document their times for a chance to win Visa gift cards, exercise bands, ab rollers, and foot massage rollers. Because names of participants will be randomly selected to win prizes, participants don’t have to worry about trying to outperform the competition. The overall goal of the fitness challenge is to promote healthier lifestyles among ��Vlog��ýLR employees that will positively impact their home and work lives. To be a part of the competition, sign up at the employee wellness website. For additional information regarding the competition, contact Karl Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu.

��Vlog��ýLR employee becomes weight loss winner with employee wellness program

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 21:48:39 +0000

This article is an employee wellness spotlight by ��Vlog��ýLR Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser. Don O’Donnell, a senior project manager in Information Technology Services, was one of the first employees who took advantage of the free body composition testing we offer in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Employee Wellness Program. During that test, I provided Don with a good estimate of his body fat percent and provided him with a target weight based upon the amount of lean tissue he had at that time. Through a carefully crafted diet and exercise routine, Don slowly shed the extra fat pounds and reached his goal when we retested in early April. We discovered he dropped his body fat percentage by 8 percent and lost 30 pounds. A slow and steady pace usually wins the race! More information about O’Donnell: Birthplace: Clinton, Iowa. Education: Bachelor of Science in mathematics and physics from Simpson College and an MBA from Drake University. Describe your weight loss journey: My journey to lose weight began with my wife, Linda. She started a low carb, high fat eating regimen last August (2015) and lost over 60 pounds by year’s end. She is currently down 100 pounds. I knew that I could stand to lose some weight myself, so I went on a low carb, high fat diet on Feb. 1 weighing 220 pounds at the time. My goal was to get down to 190 pounds. I reached that goal on April 8 and have been able to maintain it through regular exercise and watching my carbs. What is your current exercise routine? After seeing some early weight loss, I began working out at the ��Vlog��ýLR Fitness Center to get into better overall health. I have been working out three days a week using stationary weight machines. This takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour each day. Were you active during your years growing up? Yes. I have always enjoyed participating in sports. My favorites have been basketball and baseball. Was there a key event or person that helped get you into working out? Not really. As I got older, I began to experience more recreational sports-related injuries. It was then I realized that if I wanted to stay active, I would need to exercise on a regular basis. Now that I am approaching 70 (68 next month), it is essential to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. If you miss a scheduled workout, how do you feel? In some ways, it’s like missing a meal. I feel a little weak and rundown until my next workout. I haven’t found it addictive though. It only feels good when I am done, but the feeling is great! I make it a priority by working out first thing in morning before the day’s activities get in the way. ��For me, it’s the only way to stay disciplined. What is your favorite workout? That would be the one that I just finished. I feel good after completing a workout on the weight machines, because I am able to get a good workout in a short period of time, 10-14 stations in 45 minutes. What do you like to do when you have free time? I enjoy playing softball and racquetball. What were the keys to your 30-pound weight loss? Being disciplined while on the low carb, high fat diet. I could not have lost the weight by just working out. It’s too early yet, but I am fairly confident that I can keep the weight off by eating sensibly (eating carbs in moderation). Exercising, however, has improved my physical health and stamina. How do you feel now compared to five months ago when you started your campaign? I am much more energetic with fewer physical health issues, including muscle cramps, pulled muscles, and other sports-related injuries. What were your first signs of success? The scale. I weighed myself every day and continue to today now that I am in maintenance mode. Any advice to those who are definitely serious about weight loss? Do your research. Find someone you know personally that had similar weight loss need and was successful in losing the weight. Even though I believe exercise is important, I would recommend placing your focus on your diet first and incorporate exercise gradually.

��Vlog��ýLR employees say ‘yes’ to health and wellness

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 14:30:44 +0000

Six months ago, Dr. Amar Kanekar, an assistant professor of health education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, averaged about 20 minutes of exercise a day. Today, he clocks in more than 80 minutes of exercise a day. Kanekar was one of hundreds of ��Vlog��ýLR employees who attended the employee wellness fair July 27 in Donaghey Student Center. “I got to do all the health screenings, and they show how much the exercise is helping,” he said. Employees participated in free health screenings, including height, weight, body mass index, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and body composition. Those with University of Arkansas System (UMR) insurance who completed a biometric screening and other requirements got the added bonus of qualifying for a $1,400 reduction in the maximum amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses for the 2017 health plan. About 220 employees completed the biometric screening during the health fair. Employees who complete the screening, an, and take a tobacco/nicotine pledge and personal health plan pledge by Sept. 30 will qualify for the reduction. A drawing for a $50 gift card was held every hour. Winners included Karen Palmer, Leisa Myles, Nancy Rea, Tammy Scaife, Leah Thorvilson, Laquinta Johnson, and Ellen Binford. Employees also enjoyed free massages from the students at in Maumelle. Representatives from the Employee Assistance Program, American Heart Association, and the ��Vlog��ýLR Office of Counseling Services, along with UMR health coaches, were on site. Mandi Berry, a Heart Walk associate with the American Heart Association, urged ��Vlog��ýLR employees to stay heart healthy and to sign up for the 2017 Central Arkansas Heart Walk April 29, 2017, in North Little Rock. �� “We want people to stay healthy,” Berry said. “Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death and stroke is the No. 5 cause of death in the United States. The workplace is an excellent place to promote health and get the word out.” Berry also encouraged employees to visit for a personalized health assessment or to text “HBPAR” to 97779 to learn about blood pressure. ��Vlog��ýLR Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser said the fair was “nonstop action.” “The goal of the fair is for people to learn more about their health and their risk factors for chronic diseases,” Lenser said. “The turnout has been amazing. Many employees are getting their biometric screening done and also learning about what services are available to them through the Employee Wellness Program.”

One of the secrets to Kanekar’s success has been participating in ��Vlog��ýLR’s employee wellness fitness challenges, which have motivated him to stay active. This summer, he is one of

Dr. Amar Kanekar

hundreds of employees vying to become the reigning champion of the SummerTime Fitness Challenge, which tracks how many minutes individuals spend exercising per week. “Exercise makes me feel very energetic and enthusiastic, and it helps my brain function better,” Kanekar said. “Overall, I feel very nice and rejuvenated.” Kanekar has plans to stay active for as long as possible. “I just want to keep doing this for the next 40 or 50 years, and there is no reason I can’t,” he said. In the upper right photo,��Vlog��ýLR employees receive free messages��from the students at Touching America School of Massage in Maumelle during the university’s employee wellness fair July 27 in Donaghey Student Center. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ýLR Communications.

��Vlog��ýLR holds Employee Wellness Fair July 27

Ajani Oyindamola — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 20:00:02 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock employees who complete a biometric assessment at the employee wellness fair Wednesday, July 27, may qualify for a $1,400 reduction in out-of-pocket medical expenses for the 2017 health plan. The event is open to all ��Vlog��ýLR employees and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 27 in Donaghey Student Center Ledbetter A, B, and C. Those with University of Arkansas System (UMR) insurance can complete their biometric assessment to qualify for a $1,400 reduction in the maximum amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses for the 2017 health plan. Employees who cover their spouse and/or children in the health plan may be eligible for a reduction of up to $2,800. �� Employees who complete an, agree to the tobacco/nicotine pledge and the personal health plan pledge, and complete the biometric screening and nicotine test by Sept. 30 will qualify for the reduction. Employees who do not have UMR insurance can take advantage of free health screenings, including height, weight, body mass index, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and body composition. Students from Touching America Massage School will give free massages, and employees from Rock City Running Store will give advice on running and walking shoes. Representatives from the Employee Assistance Program, American Heart Association, and the ��Vlog��ýLR Office of Counseling Services, along with UMR health coaches, will be on site to meet with employees. A drawing for a $50 Visa gift card will be held every hour. For more information, contact Employee Wellness Coordinator Karl Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu. �� In the upper right photo,��Marie Sandusky (left), ��Vlog��ýLR director of health services, works out with Karl Lenser (right), ��Vlog��ýLR employee wellness coordinator. Photo by Lonnie Timmons III/��Vlog��ýLR Communications.

��Vlog��ýLR launches SummerTime Fitness Challenge

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 20:27:04 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock ��is issuing a new employee fitness challenge to make planned exercise activities a part of their daily routine. Running June 13 to July 24, the SummerTime Fitness Challenge is designed to help employees integrate exercise into their daily lives by keeping track of the minutes that they exercise. Activities like going for a lunch-hour walk, taking a group exercise class, swimming, running, cycling, and strength training are examples of the “structured and planned” exercise sessions encouraged by this program, which have a variety of health benefits. “Physically fit individuals have more energy and have a lower risk of developing life-limiting diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and chronic low-back pain,” Lenser said. Every Monday, participants will email the total amount of minutes spent exercising for the week to Lenser. At the end of the contest, the first-place winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card. Second place will receive a $75 card, while third place will receive a $50 gift card. Additional prizes will be awarded on a weekly basis. The SummerTime Fitness Challenge is a follow up to the Step-It-Up Challenge, a team-based fitness challenge that more than 200 ��Vlog��ýLR employees participated in during April and May. “Our Step-It-Up Challenge was extremely successful, and I want to keep the momentum going with this new program,” he said. “I received many requests from employees to offer another activity-based program, so I thought this time-based one would be ideal for summer.” Lenser hopes the challenge will help employees become and stay physically active. “When people have that structure in their day, it is very effective in establishing a consistent exercise routine,” Lenser said. “Having a plan for exercise on a regular basis is one important component of living a healthy lifestyle.” Email Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu to register for the fitness challenge. The first 150 ��Vlog��ýLR employees who sign up will receive a free T-shirt! In the upper right photo, the winners of the Step-It-Up Challenge, Glorified Praise Steppers, from left to right, are: Ben Wilburn, accountant; Rogelia Rodriguez, administrative specialist in Graduate School admissions; Karl Lenser, employee wellness coordinator; Sylvester Cartwright, research assistant in the Office of Institutional Research; Sabrenna Rodgers Lee, director of finance in the College of Social Sciences and Communications; Marie Sandusky, director of health services; and Misty Stukenborg, project administrator in the Graduate School.

Step-it-Up Challenge comes to a successful end

Taylor Aldana — Thu, 19 May 2016 22:08:06 +0000

The two winning teams have been announced for the Step-it-Up Challenge. Both were awarded prizes that included a $50 VISA gift card or a Garmin exercise band. Led by captain Sabrenna Rodgers Lee, the Glorified Praise Steppers garnered the championship by accumulating 1,321 miles. The DKSN Harriers, led by Jessica Barnes Watts, captured second place with 1,286 miles. Karl Lenser, ��Vlog��ýLR’s employee wellness coordinator, said the program had 29 teams and almost 200 employees who should all consider themselves winners.

The second place team, DKSN Harriers, from left to right, are Team Captain Jessica Barnes Watts, assistant director of ��Vlog��ýLR EAST, Karl Lenser, employee wellness coordinator, Lundon Pinnew, director of licensure, and Belinda White, administrative specialist.

“Stress relief, enhanced physical fitness, blood pressure reduction, weight loss and an overall increase in energy are some of the benefits that occurred due to this program,” he said. University of Arkansas at Little Rock employees accumulated a total of 26,302 miles during the five-week Step-it-Up Fitness Challenge. The team-based program is judged on mileage accumulated by walking, jogging, swimming, group exercise classes, cycling and elliptical machine workouts, and daily activities. Each team has five employees. Lenser said he was pleased with both the number of participants and the excitement and enthusiasm that was generated throughout the program. “This program was our first large-scale program that we have offered to the faculty and staff, and it was very successful,” Lenser said. “I have received dozens of emails that showed an appreciation for this program and for what is done for the physical and mental and emotional health of almost 200 employees.” Lenser said the competition provided a spark for many employees to get moving and improve their fitness and reduce their stress. Jokingly, Lenser noted that within the first week of the program’s launch, participants were greeting him with “Getting my steps in” or “4,600 so far” that replaced the traditional “hello” or “good morning.” Lenser is currently working on another activity-based program he says will be fun and rewarding for all who participate. The Step-it-Up Challenge was organized by the ��Vlog��ýLR Employee Wellness Program. In the upper right photo, the��first place team, Glorified Praise Steppers, from left to right, are: Ben Wilburn, accountant; Rogelia Rodriguez, administrative specialist in Graduate School admissions; Karl Lenser, employee wellness coordinator; Sylvester Cartwright, research assistant in the Office of Institutional Research; Sabrenna Rodgers Lee, director of finance in the College of Social Sciences and Communications; Marie Sandusky, director of health services; and Misty Stukenborg, project administrator in the Graduate School.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Employee Wellness Program presents new fitness challenge

����Vlog��ýLR to host employee wellness workshop on stress management

����Vlog��ýLR presents Walk the 200 fitness competition

����Vlog��ýLR employee becomes weight loss winner with employee wellness program

����Vlog��ýLR employees say ‘yes’ to health and wellness

����Vlog��ýLR holds Employee Wellness Fair July 27

����Vlog��ýLR launches SummerTime Fitness Challenge