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, UALR’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 UALR 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 ��Ƶlogo 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 UALR 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.

UALR Step It Up Challenge promotes campus fitness

Taylor Aldana — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 17:48:10 +0000

More than 200 University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo employees stepped up to accept a new challenge to promote employee fitness on campus. The “Step It Up Challenge” kicked off April 4 in front of Student Services Center, as a large crowd gathered to hear Chancellor Joel Anderson greet the participants. “I wish every one of you a success,” Anderson said. “The good thing about it is, this is one of those competitions where when it’s over, everybody has won, so what’s not good about that?” Karl Lenser, employee wellness coordinator, thanked everyone for joining and encouraged them to spread the word of wellness and fitness to their co-workers. He expressed surprise with the number of teams that registered for the challenge. While hoping for at least 15 teams to sign up, Lenser did not expect a total of 40 teams to participate. “This is an incredible response to our first major wellness program on the UALR campus,” said Lenser. As attendees gathered their team T-shirts, Lenser encouraged the participants to wear the shirts during their walks around campus to further advertise the program. “Perhaps your co-workers will become a bit envious when they see you wearing the T-shirt as you continue to find ways to add to your step and mileage count,” he said. “I would love to see more individuals jump on the fitness bandwagon and improve their overall health and wellness.” The team-based program is based on mileage accumulated by walking, jogging, swimming, group exercise classes, cycling and elliptical machine workouts, and daily activities. Each team has five employees. Team captains send weekly mileage updates to Lenser. The challenge will end May 8 with two winning teams receiving a $50 VISA gift card or a Garmin Vivofit fitness band. “You guys are all winners because you’re participating, and that’s really important,” said Lenser. For any questions on current fitness programs or help with a smoking cessation program, nutritional advice, or weight loss concerns, contact Karl Lenser at kjlenser@ualr.edu or 907-8974.

- University News Archive - UA ������Ƶlogo

Step-it-Up Challenge comes to a successful end

UALR Step It Up Challenge promotes campus fitness

- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo