According to Dr. America Bracho, one of the most difficult things that Latinos face today is learning to manage their weight. That’s why the Venezolana executive director of Latino Health Access in California has developed Peso Saludable, a one-year bilingual program that’s helping parents and their children achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

Generally speaking, obesity is rampant in the Latino community, and diabetes -- which can lead to terrifying prospects such as blindness or limb amputations -- is an epidemic. Where Bracho is based, in Santa Anna, Calif., she’s at a ground zero of sorts for poor eating and obesity. The good doctor has her work cut out for her: In the community, residents have limited access to affordable healthy foods, parks and even physical education in schools.

Bracho’s Peso Saludable program combats the effects of obesity, which include both physical (diabetes, heart disease, joint problems) and mental (low self-esteem) symptoms. The bilingual, one-on-one counseling helps families learn not only how to eat better and exercise, but also helps facilitate these goals. For instance, if parents can’t find a place to exercise, they’ll help them find one.

In addition, families receive mentorship and guidance from promotores (community health workers) who visit homes to provide personalized coaching. They offer advice and solutions on real issues that affect obesity, including discipline, good habits and even safety in some instances. 

Most importantly, families and individuals learn to become advocates themselves, sharing what they’ve learned with others in their community. This idea is paramount to Bracho’s philosophy and success: She’s called participation one of the keys to her "subscription to obesity," an organizational method she learned in her native Venezuela, which she’s found fosters good health.

Milly Almodóvar, founder and editor of Beauty Logic Blog, is passionate about the latest beauty trends and tips from around the world. Here, she shares big and small ways to pamper yourself this spring.

 

Make Time for Yourself

“As a mom, wife and beauty editor, life is busy. But, on Sunday, no matter what, I take time for myself. Whether it's making my own hair mask with coconut oil and honey or watching a Lifetime movie, I make sure that I have those moments alone. They are important for the soul.”

Have Fun with Your Makeup

“A lot of women use the same makeup [in spring] that they use during the winter. Switch it up. You might want to invest in a darker foundation or newer creams. Or switch your dark lips to brighter ones. I'm all about neon oranges this season. They look amazing on warmer skin tones.”

Meditate

“I have a girlfriend who is always so calm and collected. I asked for her secret, and she told me that she meditates every morning. At first I thought she was crazy. But I was so stressed out one day that I decided to try it. I went to a dark room, lit a candle and just did it. Now I'm hooked. I'm finding that life isn't so stressful.”

Find Time to Work Out

“A lot of women I know don't work out because they claim they don't have time or the money. To me, if you really want to work out, you will. I do most of my exercise at home. So when my son goes to sleep, I'll grab some weights and get a workout in. I've learned that working out will not only make you look good, but feel good.”

Make Time for Friends and Family

“I used to think I was too busy to see my family and friends. I was so focused on my career, but when I did find time to spend with them, I noticed that I was much happier afterwards. So now, I see them at least once a week. There are times where I have felt like nothing in the world was going right, or maybe I wasn't where I should be in my life. One visit to my family and friends, and I felt like I could do anything.”

There's no doubt that chisme is frowned upon. But new findings may have you thinking twice the next time your girlfriends spill the beans.  Research suggests that gossiping can actually have physical and mental health benefits -- when done without bad intentions.

"Gossiping is a way of passing along social norms," says Dr. Ana Nogales, a clinical psychologist and founder of Nogales Psychological Counseling, Inc. in Los Angeles. "It’s a way of connecting and relieving anxiety."

Dr. Nogales is not alone in her thinking. According to a 2009 University of Michigan study, “gossiping” can make you feel emotionally close to a friend. It turns out that sharing a secret increases your levels of the hormone progesterone, which boosts your wellbeing and reduces stress and anxiety.

Some gossip can even act as a cautionary tale by repressing bad behaviors. “We control our behavior because we're afraid of what people will say," says Dr. Nogales. For instance, if you hear a story of someone who cheated on their spouse or was arrested for drinking while intoxicated, and the feedback from the group is negative, it can help you resist those same temptations.

Gossiping may also increase your imagination and perspective. Say there’s something that you want, like a new baby, gossiping can help you realize your dreams and inspire you to action.

There is a difference between negative and positive gossiping, or gossiping sin maldad, explains Dr. Nogales. When you "gossip" about someone getting a raise, or getting engaged, it actually makes you feel good, because you're passing on happy information. Just make sure your gossip has a positive spin, like telling a co-worker you heard bonuses would be back in effect this year. “Positivity is infectious,” she says. And that’s news worth sharing.

One look at Stephanie Flor’s schedule and it’s apparent that she is a mujer on the go. If the 25-year-old celebrity makeup artist isn’t en Nueva York, Los Angeles, or Miami, then she may be backstage at fashion weeks around the world or on photo shoots with the likes of Mariah Carey and Kathy Griffin. Her work has appeared in Latina, InStyle and Glamour, and she documents it all on her popular website, Around the World Beauty, where she dispenses everything from makeup tips to documentaries about beauty ideals across the globe.

Women with schedules half as hectic as Stephanie’s find it hard to stay healthy and fit -- so how does Stephanie do it all with her whirlwind schedule?

"It sounds clichéd, but it’s all about balance," says Flor. "I’m studying the Indian science of Ayurveda, which promotes balance in all aspects of life, from your beauty routine to your diet.”

Flor's diet is a healthy mix of her favorite comfort foods and healthy juices. And when it comes to staying in shape, Flor is enviably fit. She builds exercise time into her schedule by being "a multi-tasking fiend. I hit the gym three to four times a week, and I always do double-duty,” she says. “So if I'm on the stair climber, I'm also on my iPad reading about India or an exotic beauty ritual."

After Lindsay Lopez, a professional dancer who worked in feature films, injured her back, she discovered Pilates and rehabilitated herself to start a whole new beginning. In time, Lindsay became intrigued by how dramatically the discipline could change bodies. So she studied it and became a certified Pilates instructor.

Today, Lopez is committed to helping Latinas stay positive, healthy and fit, especially during the colder months. Here, she shares easy-to-follow exercise tips -- plus ways to stay motivated.

Be consistent
It’s la llave to staying fit, according to Lopez. "Even a little bit of Pilates is better than none," she says. “Sometimes I find myself bagging a workout when I don't have a full hour. While the traditional Pilates session should be 55 minutes, even a good 10 to 15 minutes can make a difference.

“Next time you're strapped for time, just get down on the floor and do these three simple Pilates moves,” Lopez suggests. “You'll stand taller, feel better and be more motivated to work out the next time!"

Lopez recommends these three Pilates moves for getting a leaner, longer body pronto.

• The Hundred: Lie flat on your back on your mat. Draw your knees to your chest and curl your head, neck and shoulders off the mat. Bring your legs into a 90 degree angle and reach your arms long by your side. With your arms very straight, begin pumping them up and down like wings. Inhale for five pumps, then exhale for five pumps. Ten sets of 10 make the 100 from this move’s name. The whole time pull your abs in and up. Want even more of a challenge? Extend your legs 45 degrees or lower.
• The Spine Stretch Forward: Sit with your legs extended out in front of you just wider than the width of your mat. Flex your feet and bend your knees until you can feel your Sitz bones on the mat. Reach your arms out in front of you and inhale to sit tall. Then exhale as you articulate your spine forward one vertebrae at a time until your head reaches between your knees and your arms reach toward your toes. Then inhale to return your spine upright and repeat four more times.
  
  
• Standing Chest Expansion: Standing upright, bring your feet together (either parallel or with your heels together and your toes two fingers apart). Make sure your shoulders are stacked over your ribs, and ribs over hips. Reach your arms out front and, as you inhale, reach them behind your back, fingertips pointing towards the floor behind your heels. Look to the right, to the left, then center, exhaling as you return your arms out front. Repeat, looking left first then right. Do two sets total. Remember to keep your abs pulled in and up and open your collarbone wide.

Photo: Corbis Images