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There's no shame in struggling through a run
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Just because you're struggling, doesn't mean you're weak. It's means you're pushing yourself, and that's a good thing. - photo by Kim Cowart
For the longest time, I opted for the orange light hand weights, the itty-bitty weights that offered little in the way of resistance and almost nothing in the way of a challenge. It wasnt because I couldnt lift anything heavier I just didnt want anyone to see me struggle.

Back then, struggle was synonymous with weakness. The strained look on my face was an indication of how unfit I was. In my mind, my arms screamed Olive Oyl while I longed to be Popeye, but I was scared to tackle the weights that would get me there. I didnt want other gym-goers to worry, or worse, judge me by the pained look in my face. So I opted for what was easy.

I can hear Dr. Phil in my head right now. Hows that been workin for ya? Um, not very well, thank you. Sick of letting my concern over what others thought of me dictate my own choices and progress, one day I picked up the heavy yellow weights. And I kept picking them up. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. You get the idea. And wouldnt you know it, those Olive Oyl arms didnt quite turn all Popeye on me, but they sure did look good. Strong. Defined. Muscular.

Taking on a challenge can be daunting, especially when others are watching. Whether were taking a new job, position, hobby or sport, so many of us are afraid to look weak. Thats why its so hard to get out of that comfort zone. Its comfortable, like rainy Saturday afternoon movie-fest comfortable. Like home-from-a-long-vacation-first-day-in-my-own-bed comfortable. Its a good place to be until its not.

Every year I have a mantra, a creed I try to live by for at least 365 days a phrase that helps shape my daily decisions, big or small. This years mantra is Go get it. I doubt there will be T-shirts made with my mantra or people rushing tattoo parlors to have this emblazoned on their biceps, but as simple as it is, it really has changed the choices I make.

Rather than stewing over how hard a task is or the potential embarrassment I may suffer if I struggle, or worse, fail, I take a deep breath, a big step forward and just Go get it. Its tough to push out concern over what others think. Its hard not to stress over the massiveness of a project, but I can honestly say that Ive succeeded more often than Ive failed this year.

Ive put myself out in the ring for people to throw tomatoes or roses. But Im tired of sitting on the sidelines gripped with the fear of failure. I dont want to be held hostage by my perception of what others think of me. Getting hit with tomatoes hurts, but its sure better than regretting never having stepped into the ring at all and wondering what could have been.

Paula Radcliffe, one of the greatest female distance runners of all time, has achieved tremendous success. Winning multiple NYC Marathons and holding the world record marathon time of 2:17:18, she is the best of the best. The one goal she never achieved, however, is winning an Olympic medal. In 2004, not only did she not win, she didnt even finish. Sidelined with stomach issues, she quit at mile 18. Determined not to end her Olympic career on a low note, she came back in 2008 only to finish 23rd. Devastated, angry and embarrassed, sure. But a fear of failing never held her back from trying. Even after the Olympics she continued running and winning multiple marathons.

Fail is a four-letter word. But so is quit. Struggle is not. When I see someone struggle in a weight class or in spin class, I dont think weak. I think that person is pushing their bodies as hard and far as they can, and that earns my respect.

Were all good at something, but none of us is good at everything. And well never get good at that one thing until we tackle it. Just like muscles need resistance to work against to build strength, we need to stretch ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally to grow. Whether weve dreamed of running a half-marathon, wanted to go back to college to finish up that degree, open a new business or write a book, we have to aim high to climb high. We have to drop those little orange weights and grab the big yellow weights if we want to see a change.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.