Chris,
Mathematica (MMA) is a list based language and looping is generally slow and "clunky" in MMA. You should try to formulate using lists.
To fix the kernel reset each time, just put a Clear[x]; before your loop (but I would not use a loop).
Use Table instead
result = Table[c,{x,1,17,2}]
This creates a list of c values for x's ranging from 1 to 17 incrementing by 2.
To total it you can create a list of Accumulations or use Total
Accumulate[result]
{3, 10, 21, 36, 55, 78, 105, 136, 171}
Or Total
Total[result]
171
Regards,
Neil
