On the move with Summit County's Latin ladies

SILVERTHORNE — Leticia Díaz greets her friends with besos — kisses in Spanish — in the lobby of the Silverthorne Recreation Center Wednesday morning. The room buzzes with the week's gossip and the cries of small children. As the clock ticks toward 11:30 a.m., more women join the bubbling circle of Latinas. Warm eyes meet new faces as Spanish bounces off the walls of the rec center's entry.

More people would uphold their New Year's workout resolutions if they were greeted with the same hospitality and friendliness that's found at Latinas en Movimiento (Latinas on the Move). The group, established by the Community Care Clinic and the Summit Prevention Alliance, promotes exercise and good nutrition for the Latina women.

"We started with the women because we knew that was the easiest target," said Cecilia Thompson, SPA prevention coordinator and "Movimiento" nutritionist. The program was established through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and focuses on reducing disparities in cardiovascular disease and diabetes by targeting obesity among Latinos in Summit County, according to the CDPHE's website.

The money from the "La Vida Sana" grant will reach Latino men and children in the future too, and with good statistical backing: Latinos are twice as likely as their non-Hispanic white counterparts to get diabetes and have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Thompson.

For now, "Movimientos" meets once a week, three times a month, at the rec center and one time a month at the Summit County Community and Senior Center near Frisco. When they're at the rec center, a weigh-in and 50 minutes of exercise is followed by a group discussion and goal setting. This week's talk is centered on eating more fish, and last week the ladies were challenged to try a new fruit or vegetable.

"We try to talk friend to friend," Thompson said. "I say, 'Let me recommend this for the health of your family.' It's person to person, not like a teacher."

The communal vibe is a big reason many of the Latinas joined the group, which has grown each week since its Feb. 7 inception. Leticia Díaz works at the Summit County Thrift & Treasure store, and said she tells the Latinas that come in about the group.

"It's easier to exercise with someone of the same culture," Díaz said.

"Movimientos" co-coordinator Jenniffer Gonzalez said she sees a lot of isolated Latinas at the Care Clinic, where she works as the women's health coordinator.

"They don't have any type of group where they can communicate with others," she said. " 'Movimientos' makes them feel better in society. They don't feel apart because of cultural barriers and language."

Díaz demonstrates the central role communication plays at "Movimientos" as she chats with a few members of 37-strong group on Wednesday.

"I make this day very special," Díaz, who works three jobs, said. "I asked for Wednesday off to exercise, and now I work Sunday instead. It makes me so happy."

Marta Torres, who is pregnant, said she joined the group to help her exercise and prepare for delivery.

"I wanted to meet more Latinas," she said. "When it's in a group ... it's better."

Now the families of the "Movimientos" women are getting a taste of la vida sana too. Díaz' children are offered up a plate of veggies with dinner and she's using more olive oil in her cooking. Beatriz Cab said she's staying away from greasy food. And everyone's exercising more, whether it's once a week at 'Movimientos' or in small groups outside of the class.

This ownership supports one of the goals of the "Movimientos" program. A press release states that the group has built-in credibility among the Latina population due to its commitment to linguistic and cultural competency. "It is hoped that native leaders will develop and it will grow through natural community networks," the release continues. So far, that's proven true, with more members joining the group each week.

"You can see every time (the women) are talking about the program and trying to get more friends into the group," Gonzalez said.

And these Latinas are supporting their "on-the-move" namesake in events like the Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer snowshoe race and tour, where "Movimientos" had a five-person team this year.

And at the end of March, the whole "La Vida Sana" grant program will take a big step when it partners with the High Country Soccer Association. While kids are training, parents will be able to stay at the rec center and exercise too, according to Thompson.



<b>Want to join Latinas en Movimiento?</b>

Contact Cecilia Thompson at (970) 668-2077 or Jenniffer Gonzalez at (970) 668-4057.

<i>Lindsey Krusen can be reached at lkrusen@summitdaily.com, or at (970) 668-4620.

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