Note: This is the third of a series of seven articles that will help you gear up for a healthy, active, and fit New Year.

Okay, you've committed to do what you have to get healthier. You've faced your health frustrations -- you've written them down and faced them. One more little thing is necessary to get you completely fired up to make a difference in your own health -- you need to spend some time looking toward your healthier, more energetic, more vibrant future. What, exactly, will your life be like when your health and energy level is cranked up a notch or two? Will you look better? Will you get attention for your new appearance? Will you have more energy to work and play with those who are most important to you? Will you be able to give more -- and receive more -- from those around you? Take a look at your bright new future -- that vision will sustain you when the items on your "challenge" list come into play.

Bookmark:

(Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham ) A new study in the November issue of the journal Appetite finds that obese women display significantly weaker impulse control than normal-weight women, but between obese and normal-weight men, the impulsivity levels are nearly the same. The study was conducted by researchers in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Psychology.

UAB researchers conducted the study to see how obese and normal-weight men and women differed in their decision-making skills, specifically in delay discounting, the measure of how much an individual is driven by immediate gratification versus the willingness to wait for delayed but greater rewards.

Bookmark:

(Source: University of Michigan Health System ) About 10 million people in the United States alone—from troops returning from war to students with music blasting through headphones—are suffering from impairing noise-induced hearing loss.

The rising trend is something that researchers and physicians at the University of Michigan Kresge Hearing Research Institute are hoping to reverse, with a cocktail of vitamins and the mineral magnesium that has shown promise as a possible way to prevent hearing loss caused by loud noises. The nutrients were successful in laboratory tests, and now researchers are testing whether humans will benefit as well.

Bookmark:

Brenda J. Ponichtera is a registered dietitian and author of several award-winning cookbooks, all designed to prove that "healthful eating doesn't have to take a lot of time in the kitchen."

As a medical professional and nutrition and diabetes counselor, Ponichtera has specialized in helping people develop healthful, lifelong eating habits. An active member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association, she received the American Dietetic Association’s Mary Abbott Hess Award and the Award of Merit from the Oregon Dietetic Association. These awards honor her outstanding achievement and contribution as a health professional and author. She is also an editorial advisor for the popular publication, Today’s Diet and Nutrition.

Bookmark:

Dawn Jackson Blatner RD, LDN, is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian. Dawn passionately believes in using the power of food to prevent and manage illness and maintain optimal health. She helps people make realistic and gradual changes to their current eating habits and food choices. Dawn teaches "Flexitarian Nutrition”, an eating style she developed, which is based on personal preferences and individual lifestyles.

Bookmark:

Calorie Bargain: Green Mountain Gringo Mild Salsa

The Why: We get all kinds of salsa to sample around here, but the Green Mountain Gringo Mild Salsa is pretty darn amazing and some of the best we’ve tasted. It’s so tasty you’ll be searching high and low for more veggies to dip in it.

Bookmark:

Calorie Bargain: The Science of Good Food: The Ultimate Reference on How Cooking Works by by David Joachim and Andrew Schloss with A. Philip Handel, Ph.D.

The Why: This new book, written by several professionals in the food industry, is described as “the ultimate GPS for your kitchen.” This extensive reference book has more than 1600 entries that covers everything from the basic molecular makeup of meat to tips on making the perfect French fry. Over 100 recipes are also included.

Bookmark: