It's no big story that many African Americans struggle with health issues.  Hypertension, stroke, heart disease, in many cases these problems are linked to obesity in our community.

Here are some other cultural issues that impact us:

• Our culture has its own perceptions of body weight
• Our diet and activity habits cause disproportionate rates of diabetes
• While soul food is great, it tends to be fattening even when it doesn't have to be

So, these are the issues. But there's good news.

During Black History Month, we will focus on some of these issues. We'll be posting some tips from a leading health expert and sharing the experience of an African American taking on the weight loss challenge.

And feel free to post your own stories, questions or comments.

Today is Valentine's Day, and, if you didn't know it, February is American Heart Month.  Two great reasons to think about your heart, and the hearts of those closest to you.

As the alli calendar from Vogue Magazine (download it here) states: "do something good for your heart and for the one closest to it.  Take a long walk with your valentine."

It may not be practical for everyone to take a walk with your valentine mid-February, but you get the idea.  How can you make your February more heart healthy?

The issue of obesity as a lifestyle choice turned quite a few heads last month (i.e. New York Times and ABCNews.com, to name a few).

Fat acceptance blogs are popping up online and dismissing the obesity prevalence in America as mere hysteria.  Blog creators say the sites are breaking down stereotypes about overweight people and promoting self-love.

Confidence, high self-esteem and the overall idea of just being proud of who you are-yes, the alli team definitely supports that.  We know it's all about being the healthier you.

But, as one health expert said in the ABCNews.com article "the health risks are the health risks." It's undeniable that obese people are disproportionately at risk for diabetes, certain types of cancer, stroke and heart disease.

And while losing weight does require lifestyle changes, little things like shedding two pounds a week, and walking the steps rather than taking the elevator don't change the person.  They just gradually enforce better choices.

So, instead of shunning the blogs or saying they're all bad, we need to ask ourselves a question.  How can we use them to promote both self-acceptance and being the healthier you?  Seriously, we'd like your suggestions.

It may not be the December holidays, but this week can be a week for not-so-healthy food.  Between the Bowl games, Fat Tuesday, or maybe even Super Tuesday, it's a big week for pizza, wings, beer and lots of snacks.   

Life is about choices.  If you didn't choose well yesterday, make better choices today. 

Today is a day that celebrates a choice: The anniversary of alli's FDA approval.  We wanted to celebrate this with you by offering a $15 coupon available on myalli.com and in USA Today's lifestyle section on today (2/7/08).  So, if you choose to begin a low-fat diet, you can get the alli weight loss boost and get $15 off your alli purchase.