Watch, Listen, and Read About People's Experience
I was involved with Lifting Up Lives from February until about October of 2010. I initially started because I wanted the motivation, support, and accountability of a group to help me stick to working out and losing weight. A variety of workouts from dynamic stretching to zumba, to hiphop, and afro hatian dance continually challenged the group. We were able to laugh at ourselves, push ourselves and encourage each other. Beyond the physical activity what helped to focus on changing my life were discussions to help identify and understand our core goals and values. This was the time where I got to know myself and others better. Everyone had a struggle or a challenge that they were working on whether it was finding a job, improving health, returning to school, or overcoming an addiction. But coming together and laughing, dancing and sweating together helped relieve some of the pressure of those challenges. Having that hour of relief and that sense of community during a time when I was struggling to redefine myself and find my purpose was uplifting and made me feel less alone. -Natalia, LUL participant | ||
Lifting Up Lives caught my attention while I was searching for an internship. I wholeheartedly support the idea that physical fitness directly correlates to mental and social fitness, which is overall healthiness. As an intern, I attended the weekly workouts. On the days of rest, I would visit the ladies at the center. We would trade stories, read magazines, watch television, eat, and dance. LUL shares with participants: we are a team, we are friends. We sweat together, talk about our mistakes and successes, and build each other up! Similar to the ladies, I discovered that I am not fragile, I am a fighter. We gained a stronger sense of resilience. If you can survive San Francisco, you can survive. -CoCoa, LUL Intern | ||