Never Trust An Old... Treadmill?

It seems like only yesterday when Stu came home from the hospital using a walker and determined to heal so that he could use his brand new right knee joint like a pro.  He is the consummate overachiever, as everyone who knows my husband is aware.  Stu will not only do the job right, he'll overdo it to the point where he gets fired.

His wife, on the other hand... not quite such a valiant warrior in her own life, sad to say.

Everything turns into some kind of weird competition between us, especially with both of us home all day.  When Stu's narcotic pain meds killed his appetite, he thought:  oh, great; I can finally lose some weight!

I thought: oh, no.  Time for another graphic demonstration of the drastic difference in weight management requirements between Stu and MR.

One of the first things I did, before he was even home from the hospital (perhaps this was my idea of starting training for caregiver tasks), was to start a daily walking program for myself.  

We have an antique (of sorts) treadmill downstairs in our basement.  This particular monster has moved at least four times - two of those across the country - of which I'm aware.  Stu purchased this for his own exercise needs before he and I met.  And it's a great treadmill.

However, just like human bodies, these things eventually wear out, and the process of being used a lot for a while, but then left to sit and collect dust for an even longer while, does not enhance its usability.

I believe I made it to day two or three this last time before it threw me at the 16-minute mark.  Yes, folks, it literally seized up and stopped like someone applied hydraulic brakes.  This body in motion wanted to remain in motion, and very nearly wet herself trying not to fall when the magic belt halted abruptly.

Since Stu was unable to diagnose the latest treadmill problem from upstairs, and at that time unable to descend the steps to get up close and personal, I switched to walking both dogs around the neighborhood.  I did that a couple of times before the weather turned suddenly cold and now warm again.

I'm currently in one of my chronic pain cycles - at least that's my excuse for now - but Stu was eventually able to diagnose the problem.  I had told him I thought it was an electrical failure. It turns out that there's some kind of kill switch built into this treadmill when some threshold is exceeded.

That's great for the treadmill.  But what about the stress threshold of the walker?  Inquiring minds demand this answer.  I don't trust it anymore.

And as far as the weight loss journeys of this particular couple... he's doing great.  I told you in the first paragraph: he's an overachiever.