I've been walking my butt off lately and I just noticed this week I can walk up and down stairs without touching the railings! Up until now I've kind of felt like an invalid in a way. This really feels good. Have you had any improvements lately?

Congratulations! I consider myself very blessed that I can walk up the stairs even using the handrail. I just walked up a set this morning just because I "could".

Hi guys - I think I have more energy to move longer. I would have to agree on the stairs benefit too. My office has recently moved to the 2nd floor of a building and I do find the stairs getting a bit easier. Its all good!

This walking gig has a way of keeping me honest....

Ug, stairs. The elevator has been down in our office, so if I want to get "Good" water from the cafeteria, who has a filter, I HAVE to walk up and down the stairs. I do find it getting easier, and I am not as out of breath as I used to be.....maybe the stair thing isn't so bad after all.

Hey guys great feeling isn't it, stairs were really hard for me too! I used to use the hand rail and practically pull myself up with my arms. The first day I went up without using the rail I didn't realize it until I got to the top, then it just hit me. My kids thought I was nuts, but I did the happy dance right there and then. Keep up the good work all.

Treese

And I can really identify. We go to the movies a lot and the ticket-taker guy stands at the top of a small staircase, about 6 stairs, I guess. One night I went right up and it wasn't till I got to the top that I noticed I hadn't held on to the railing for the first time. I exclaimed to my BF, hey.. I didn't hold on! Funny look on the ticket guys face LOL, but I didn't care, I was just so darned proud.

I'll never go up and down stairs without a hand on the handrail. Even at 150 lbs, I was the world's biggest clutz. LOL. I'm round enough right now, if I started rolling, I wouldn't stop!!!!

I noticed this morning that I was walking really, really fast to get out of the cold and it reminded me a 2 years ago when I would have had to stop and rest several times during the same walk.

Oh, and though I realized this a while ago and not just today, but when I realized that my thighs didn't rub while I walked I nearly started crying with joy.

ROTFL I am so happy this week because of this. It's one of those moments that happen that you know is important.

Great news Marty. No big achievements yet, I think I'm already at a plateau. Just waiting it out.

mudknife next thing you know you'll be sliding down the banisters. WHEEE! HAPPY 4 U

Mudknife-

Great news about the railings! Congratulations on your progress.

My most recent improvement would have to be on stairs as well. I was on a manufacturing plant tour a few days ago and we were going to begin on the third story. Each story was quite tall so we had something like 12 total flights of stairs to go up - led by someone in good shape who was obviously used to hiking up them every day.

I couldn't match his pace, but I kept up with the group and did it without ending up sucking wind at the end. It was nice to be able to hold a conversation normally instead of trying to hide signs of exhastion and shortness of breath.

Lynda

Woohoo Marty! You are doing so well. I think I'm more like Kris and probably won't let go of the handrail for fear I'd trip and fall head over heels down the stairs.

I haven't had a real opportunity yet to notice if my added exercise has helped in real life. (I hybernate in the winter. ) But I can tell with doing the exercise that I am getting stronger.

I'm really looking forward to this summer and being able to do more physical activities!

Way to go, Marty!! I can relate -- just finished shovelling the driveway and not a huff or a puff and especially no sore back -- all while my DH was too tired to do any of it -- and he's not LCing!

Kinda gross.. but i think its a great achievement that I am getting through the Australian summer without having to live in front of the electric fan.. the heat has killed me the past few summers (not just from weight, but from high blood sugar levels) I would sweat like crazy.. so much so my hair would be wet... i looked like a dishrag some days.. this year I am not suffering from the heat at all.. its amazing.,