Lost 5 lbs and now FREEZING cold all the time?

leo10021

Hi everyone - been somewhat of a long-time lurker for a while and have finally started to get in gear for my upcoming wedding. Nothing crazy, just want to lose 15 lbs. Started off between 145-150, and want to get down to 130-135.

I've cut calories to 1400-1500/day (down from ~2000) or so starting back in February, and am now consistently weighing in the low 140s.

I'm very happy with the modest progress I've made, and you would think all is on track, but within the past 2 weeks I have started being unbearably FREEZING COLD ALL THE TIME. Like, covered in goosebumps and literally can't think about anything else besides how cold I am all the time, despite wearing seasonally inappropriate heavy jackets and sweaters. This is happening at home and at work, and outside, so it's not just a matter of my office kicking on the AC for the season.

It is seriously maddening and I really cannot live like this. Have I done something to upset my hormones or internal thermostat? Anyone else experience this? What do I do (besides start eating more again)?

RelCanonical

Heat management is one of the first things to go when your body doesn't have enough calories to burn. It's not considered as important as like, organ function and stuff. I'm cold a lot too, but not enough that a sweater doesn't solve it. If it's unbearable you may consider ticking the calories up until you feel at least comfortable enough to function.

pinuplove

I was cold a lot when I first dropped my calories. It's better now, though whether it's because I've adjusted or the impending arrival of summer I couldn't say. I still keep a heater under my desk at work for when the thermostat gets run down and the AC is going nonstop!

Eating a little more may help. You may also request some labs from your doctor if you haven't had any done in a while. Always feeling cold can be a symptom of hypothyroid.

Luna3386

^ I agree.

Do you exercise? I find that consistent exercise (intense activity) raises my internal temperature. Over time but especially for the day.

Maybe a combo of increased calories and exercise can help.

ElJefeChief

leo10021 wrote: »

Hi everyone - been somewhat of a long-time lurker for a while and have finally started to get in gear for my upcoming wedding. Nothing crazy, just want to lose 15 lbs. Started off between 145-150, and want to get down to 130-135.

I've cut calories to 1400-1500/day (down from ~2000) or so starting back in February, and am now consistently weighing in the low 140s.

I'm very happy with the modest progress I've made, and you would think all is on track, but within the past 2 weeks I have started being unbearably FREEZING COLD ALL THE TIME. Like, covered in goosebumps and literally can't think about anything else besides how cold I am all the time, despite wearing seasonally inappropriate heavy jackets and sweaters. This is happening at home and at work, and outside, so it's not just a matter of my office kicking on the AC for the season.

It is seriously maddening and I really cannot live like this. Have I done something to upset my hormones or internal thermostat? Anyone else experience this? What do I do (besides start eating more again)?

Happened to me too.

Wear more sweaters. That, or you could start saying 'yes' to donuts more often again.

middlehaitch

You may want to juggle with your macros a bit.

For me more protein worked, especially 20+g in the morning. I went from the MFP 50c, 30f, 20p to 40c, 30f, 30p, and my body temperature improved.

You may get better results with a different macro split.

Cheers, h.

TimothyFish

Luna3386 wrote: »

^ I agree.

Do you exercise? I find that consistent exercise (intense activity) raises my internal temperature. Over time but especially for the day.

Maybe a combo of increased calories and exercise can help.

Exercise seems to fix everything.

msdemeanor70

IMHO A five-pound weight loss over three months shouldn't be drastic enough to cause that much cold sensitivity especially if you made no other adjustments over the last couple weeks (since it started). I'd probably look for an actual reason.

MazzyToday

This happens to me, too, when I lose weight. I am down about 40 pounds, and I literally wore gloves when I took my kid to the park Thursday.

I am only warm enough when exercising and, even then, my fingers are the last thing to get warm.

When I don't list weight, I am always too warm. No winning.

CWynne3

I agree with those who've said to have your thyroid checked, just to make sure. I have hypothyroidism and I stopped taking my meds about a week ago (ran out, need to have my levels checked again before my doc will authorize refills). I'm freezing All. The. Time. When on my meds, I felt fine. If you end up having hypo and don't want to take synthetic meds for it, there are natural thyroid support supplements out there. I'd just talk to your doc to be certain it isn't that or anything else. Best wishes and congrats on the upcoming nuptials!!

Lizzypb88

Yes!! My thermostat in spring last year was set at 67, 68... I froze my hubby out a lot! Now I can set it at 72, 73 and feel just as comfortable!

Lizzypb88

Also- yes my hormones have gone SO out of wack with dieting, but my body always ended up "adjusting" itself I should say

Jriggs46615

I'm so glad I'm not the only one, though it really has nothing to do with weight for me. I am ALWAYS freezing....at home, at work, etc. In fact, I just cranked my thermostat up to 73, before I saw this thread, and I'm still sitting here, shaking like a paint mixer. It's terrible at work, too. My co-workers are constantly complaining about the heat in our office, and I'm bundled up in a jacket with ice cold hands.

nowine4me

Yes, since losing weight I'm almost always cold. I wear a fleece at the office over a shirt and sweater when everyone else is in sleeveless shirts. I wish I could say it's getting better, but not really.

kshama2001

My 80 year old, underweight mother is never cold, because she dresses appropriately for her comfort level.

People, when you lose insulating fat, to remain comfortable at the same temperature, you have to make up for it with more clothes.

These, plus wool socks and cotton socks, are good for at least 5 degrees:

https://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Manawan-NM1466-Slipper-Marsh/dp/B001AOI2MS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494383174&sr=8-1&keywords=sorel+manawan




However, the OP has only lost 5 pounds so something else is going on with her - perhaps her calorie deficit is too aggressive for the little weight she has to lose.

leo10021

Thanks everyone - glad to know I am not the only one dealing with this! I do exercise on a regular basis which warms me right up (30 minutes of running, spinning 3-4x a week with some strength thrown in), but then my body temperature inevitably falls again around 1 hour after my workouts stop. Can't win!

I haven't gotten a physical in a while so this is as good a reason as any to finally make an appointment. I will make sure they do the thyroid test when she draws my blood in 2 weeks.

I know the obvious answer is warmer clothes, but I work in a very professional environment and in a client-facing role, so unfortunately wool socks and slippers are going to be a questionable office look. I already look silly enough wearing a fleece when I'm at my desk!

kshama2001

Oh, I didn't mean for the slippers to be in a professional office env

How about leather boots, turtle necks, and sweaters?

PAV8888

leo10021 wrote: »

Have I done something to upset my hormones or internal thermostat? Anyone else experience this? What do I do (besides start eating more again)?

Yes. It is called adaptive thermogenesis and your body is reducing its temperature and caloric expenditure in an attempt to reduce your calories out and slow down your weight loss.

No, I am not aware of anything other than eating more and a long time at maintenance or weight regain that reverses it. In fact some studies question whether it ever completely reverses.

You may be lucky and a few days of splurging may help but otherwise your best bet would be a 12-16 week maintenance break.

In the meanwhile increased activity may help. Instead of sitting for long periods of time get up and move for a few minutes every half hour to an hour. If you're doing it right, people will complain and tell you to sit down all the time!