The top conversations in MamásLatinas are: 1) relationships (lots of conversations around infidelity), 2) feeling lonely and needing friends, and 3) weight loss. Weight loss, is by far the most dominant conversation. In fact, MamásLatinas created a group dedicated to weight loss to satisfy the interests of its members. Our mamás are obsessed with the topic! ¿Qué más? articles on weight loss–recipes, tricks, advice, diet plans, secret ingredients and more–also consistently rank among the highest with our readers.
What's fascinating is that the kinds of articles and conversations that do best on this topic are around fast and easy ways to lose weight. Yet, study after study shows that what we should be doing is changing the eating habits that so many of us Latinas have grown up! And, this takes time and discipline.
Ironically, data shows that people in this country develop healthier habits as they age. Most folks pay closer attention to nutritional facts and are more health conscious when they hit their 50s! And, most likely, this change in behavior is driven by the need to change their diet due to health reasons.
Nearly a year ago I was diagnosed with acid reflux. This condition has forced me to drink more water, reduce food portions, curb my steak and other fatty food intake (hard to digest), eat light at night, and it has pushed me to educate myself on the nutritional value of ingredients that I've grown up with and thought were healthy.
In the process, I've lost 15 pounds! The only important other habit that I need to add now is exercise. My doctor said that even 15 minutes a day is better than not exercising at all. Another great benefit that has resulted from me changing my ways is that I am teaching my kids–although they are already teens–about healthier choices by modeling these behaviors myself! Experts say that this is crucial in instilling good eating habits in your kids. I wish I had made these changes earlier on when my kids were babies. Well, I guess it's better late than never!
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