Talk about lost in translation! When in English you say, “You look skinny”, the English response is "Thanks!”

When in Spanish someone tells you , “Te vez flaca", the Spanish response is not as good. Your Latina ego is now shattered and you wonder if you should have had that second serving of arroz con pollo.

“Flaca” is not a compliment. And I dare you to translate into English “Gordita”. Gordita is a compliment. Any self respecting Latina would rather be gordita than a flaca!

Living Latina in the US comes with all these contradictions. So Barbara Trujillo- Gomez author of Bárbara Por Atrás: A Latin Women’s Guide to Fitness says it best. She says, “I will never look like those skinny models or friends for that matter because I, with pride and gratitude, am a Cuban – American woman who was blessed to be born with the asset of an ass."

Pretty bold statement! But as a Cuban- American growing up in New Jersey she lived in this bicultural - bilingual- double- entendres. How many squats do you have to do to make your thighs thin rods? How many grains of rice can you eat so it won't go straight to your caderas? The squats are hard enough to handle but the diets, almost unbearable.

I imagine it’s like telling the Chinese to have the chicken and broccoli combo without the combo!

Barbara Trujillo- Gomez explains that “I love chocolate, bread and wine, and if you told me that I could no longer enjoy these, especially after the crazy lifestyle we women lead, te mandaria para el carajo.”

On that note- yo te estoy mandando – to pick up this book, Barbara Por Atras, which includes not only a fitness guide, but nitrition too, the food pyramid with a Latino make-over, as well as recipes of favorite Latino meals, such as Bistek Empanizado.

What are the goals you are trying to promote within the book, Barbara?
Acceptance is a big key; the change starts within you, if you are not happy inside, then it will not matter how you look on the outside. It’s important to remind yourself through your fitness goals you are doing it for yourself, and not anybody else. Also, so many people associate dieting with eating food that tastes like cardboard and being miserable while doing so. This book will show you how to incorporate your favorite foods into a healthy meal plan, so you won’t feel like you are being punished.

Barbara explains that her mission with this book is to bring home the message to Latinas everywhere to let go of the Anglo stereotypes of emaciated, air brushed models and embrace women who have a healthy attitude toward food, fitness, and fun.

From La Diva Latina, as well as Latinas everywhere, we say to Barbara: ¡Gracias! We are and will always be, ¡Bárbara por atrás, Bárbara por alante, y Bárbara por adentro!