Cold limbs.

VykkDraygoVPR

Whenever I lose weight, I lose it from my limbs first. My hands and feet can get absolutely frigid, and that's just terrible. I keep a jacket at work (which is ridiculous, in Texas, during summer), but that only helps so much. Can't have space heaters at work (fire hazards), and I really hate gloves (bad for typing, mouse manipulation, difficult for Rubik's cubes, and impossible to shuffle cards). My jacket is nice, but it makes my torso too hot, so I wind up with either chilly hands, or a sweaty back. And don't get me started on trying to sleep at night! I keep a sea turtle plush (his name is Phillip) around to move to cold spots, since I wouldn't be able to sleep with a thicker blanket. xD

I mean, I was expecting this, but it took much longer last time. BUT, I also had to lose a lot more weight last time. I just regained about 40 pounds after a bad year (two miscarriages, followed by an unfaithful wife), but I'm still much smaller than I was before (size 44 pants, got down to size 33, back up to 38 right now).

Anyway, how do you guys handle it? I either just sweat it out, or I get up and walk around for a bit outside, to let my hands warm up (doesn't take long in the summer heat).

The worst is when I want to play guitar, but my hands won't warm up. The bright side is that my hands and forearms look super fit.

caffeinatedcami

I think it has more to do with genetics than weight in my case but if you've lost a lot there probably is a difference. I am always cold whether I am a few pounds heavier or lighter . I work in a laboratory that is kept frigid. I wear a cardigan indoors (even though it is sweltering outside) and I actually just bought a space heater for my desk. Also my hands and feet are usually cold regardless of the temperature. I just have to dress more warmly than others.

justrollme

VykkDraygoVPR wrote: »

And don't get me started on trying to sleep at night! I keep a sea turtle plush (his name is Phillip) around to move to cold spots, since I wouldn't be able to sleep with a thicker blanket. xD

Well. This is the cutest thing I've read all day. (Actually, the Rubik's cube part is pretty cute, too!)

I have this happen all the time, too. For me it is probably a lot easier to handle, I just bundle in a little-old-lady shawl if I'm at home. But when I'm anywhere else, I just move around a few minutes/stretch/do warm-up type quick exercises, which helps a lot. Or do a quick hand-wash in hot water, which feels really nice. Sometimes I'll even have a cup of hot tea to take the chill off, too.

marsinah1

I once came across an online group of aspiring writers discussing coping with cold hands. Some of the more experienced ones in that discussion swore by fingerless gloves, saying that even just keeping the palm and back of the hand warm made a big difference. That'd allow you to still shuffle mice, type, play cards badly, and manipulate Rubik's cubes. Philip on the other hand, might need an extra buddy to help out.

bendyourkneekatie

I don't have this specific problem, but just feel the cold more since losing weight. I've been wearing arm and leg warmers all winter (record coldest winter here, hooray), especially for morning walks to the gym!
I often get so cold I can't even warm up in a hot bath (will still have goosebumps all over my legs while the water is as hot as I can stand). Cups of tea help a bit though.

ramepithecus

Buy or make some hot rice packs, heat them in the microwave and keep them in your pockets during the day and stick some in the bed before you get in?

I typically use them in cold weather, but maybe it will help. And I second the hot tea idea.

shadowconn

I turn down my AC, put on more clothes. But I am cold natured at any weight. Also you may want to rule out circulation problems.

middlehaitch

Try fidgeting. I get cold feet more than I get cold hands so I just keep them moving, even when I am sat.
I have wiggled them in bed since I was a toddler, so my sister tells me.
There is a treadle stand that you can slip under your desk just to keep your feet moving. That may help.

Do hand exercises with the hand you aren't using at the time, if you are at work. If you can alternate mouse hands.

At home knit Philip a scarf. That will keep your hands in motion.

A lot of it can be helped if you can up the circulation to the cold area.

Cheers, h.

dawniemate

Have you got raynauds syndrome. I work with a lady who is exactly like you and she has it. Google it! ! Hope it helps ☺

Merkavar

I only really had an issue with cold when I was at home. Normally I would be barefoot but this winteri was wearing up to two pairs of socks, shoes, 2 sweat pants, singlet, t shirts jumper wand when not using my computer wearing gloves. Even to be minus the shoes.

I hoping the first winter is worse since you lost your protective fat layers. I guess I'll have to wait and see next year.

Or win the lotto and by a house in the tropics for the winter.

VykkDraygoVPR

I do wash with warm water, and that certainly is nice. I should bring a mug and some tea to work. That would be great.

I have a pair of fingerless gloves I keep in my car door for driving in winter. I can try that. Dunno why I didn't think of that before! I meant to grab then this morning after reading this, but forgot before I even reached my car.

I don't think it's a disease. I am exagerrating a bit. It was worse in my old office, but the temperature was pretty low in there. It was probably set somewhere in the 60's, so it got cold after sitting there all day. In my current office, I just get chilly, but not painfully so. As well, when I was at my thinnest, I was wearing a hoodie, longsleeve shirt, or a button up with an undershirt pretty much always. It wasn't just localized to my limbs. It only is right now, because I haven't lost much of what I regained.

I do fidget my feet pretty much always. They tend to be ok, since I am wearing shoes at work. They usually only get cold at home. So, I turned the AC up a degree or two. Save on electricity, and I can walk around bare foot.

VykkDraygoVPR

katem999 wrote: »

I don't have this specific problem, but just feel the cold more since losing weight. I've been wearing arm and leg warmers all winter (record coldest winter here, hooray), especially for morning walks to the gym!
I often get so cold I can't even warm up in a hot bath (will still have goosebumps all over my legs while the water is as hot as I can stand). Cups of tea help a bit though.

That's actually it exactly. I just have a fat stomach still right now. When I was at my thinnest, in my old cold office, I would still have cool skin after walking to my car. That was about a five or six minute walk in 100 degree weather.

middlehaitch

I lost weight (30lb) and went through menopause at the same time so I have never been able to decide which event to attach the blame to.
Anyway, up until then, I always burnt hot (cold extremities in winter), since then, I have been much colder.
However, I have found as the years at maintenance (6) have past my temperature has evened out. I don't get those cold to the bone episodes anymore.

It could just be a time/body adjustment kind of thing. Less fat to keep you cosy.

Cheers, h.

jgnatca

Old lady here. Menopausal. Significant weight loss. Blood pressure dips to optimal-low. And the stupid HVAC runs all the cold air through my little office.

I am alternately boiling or freezing. Hubby complains I am "too hot" to cuddle. Who knew?

I have an electric blanket at home, besides several lap blankets.

I dress in layers. Today I had a shell, a light sweater, and a jacket that I donned and discarded as needed.

I'm past caring how I look in a grandma sweater. It beats walking around with my hands up my armpits.

Hot tea in the morning. Cooling water at my side.

XavierNusum

dawniemate wrote: »

Have you got raynauds syndrome. I work with a lady who is exactly like you and she has it. Google it! ! Hope it helps ☺

+1 My wife has Raynauds and experiences everything you are mentioning.

Also cold extremeties can be a sign of under-eating or reduced circulation due to extended periods of sitting.

JustMissTracy

I find myself sitting on my hands for a good part of the day....but during the nite, I sweat like no one's business.....Age I suppose.....

JustMissTracy

jgnatca wrote: »

Old lady here. Menopausal. Significant weight loss. Blood pressure dips to optimal-low. And the stupid HVAC runs all the cold air through my little office.

I am alternately boiling or freezing. Hubby complains I am "too hot" to cuddle. Who knew?

I have an electric blanket at home, besides several lap blankets.

I dress in layers. Today I had a shell, a light sweater, and a jacket that I donned and discarded as needed.

I'm past caring how I look in a grandma sweater. It beats walking around with my hands up my armpits.

Hot tea in the morning. Cooling water at my side.

Oh my, you sound like ME! I can't sleep with hubs either, between us, it's like an oven under the covers....he can sleep thru it, but I sure can't!