Because wellness looks different when you’re breaking generational cycles.

Being in your 30s comes with a strange mix of pressure and possibility. For many first-gen Latinos, this is the first time we’ve had breathing room. We’re not just surviving—we’re starting to live. But with freedom comes new responsibilities, and taking care of our health is one we can’t afford to ignore.

Here are five tips to help you stay active in a way that feels real, sustainable, and culturally grounded:

1. Reclaim Movement as Joy—Not Punishment

Growing up, many of us were taught that moving our bodies only mattered if we were trying to lose weight or impress someone. Let’s flip that. Dancing to your favorite cumbias or corridos absolutely counts as a workout. So does walking with your cafecito while catching up on a voice memo from a cousin.

💡Check out this article on why dance workouts are so effective.

2. Choose Activities that Fit Your Life (and Your Music Taste)

You don’t need a $200 gym membership to stay active. You need something you’ll actually stick with. That might mean walking while listening to Bad Bunny, doing 15-minute bodyweight exercises at home, or going to the park with your dog.

💡Try this free beginner strength-training routine to get started without any equipment.

3. Protect Your Energy with Boundaries

One of the biggest wellness killers is burnout. As first-gens, we carry a lot: helping our parents with paperwork, translating, overworking to prove ourselves. It’s okay to say no to protect your time and make space for your body.

💡This article gives practical advice on how to build self-care into busy schedules.

4. Invite Your Community In

Staying active doesn’t have to be solo. Invite your sibling for a walk. Try a Zumba class with your tía. Start a group chat where you send workout check-ins and cheer each other on. Movement feels better when it’s shared.

5. Track Progress in a Way That Feels Good (Not Punishing)

You don’t have to obsess over calories or weigh yourself every day to stay accountable. Instead, find ways to track your progress that actually feel encouraging—like noticing when your mood improves, your clothes fit better, or you can climb stairs without losing your breath. Progress can look like consistency, not perfection.

Try writing down how you feel after each workout, or snapping a photo at the end of your weekly walks. This creates a positive feedback loop rooted in your lived experience—not unrealistic fitness standards.

💡Here’s a guide on non-scale victories that can help shift your mindset.

Staying active doesn’t mean changing who you are. It means honoring your story, your body, and your future. We’re not doing this for aesthetics—we’re doing it to stay present, strong, and connected.