After a big weight loss do you ever get used to the cold?

dave_in_ni

It was 4 years ago now since I dropped 60lbs which makes me 6ft at 170lbs, I don't have much padding now lol and this is the issue. Come Autumn / Winter I am constantly freezing even when its not overly cold. My nose is always running and I always seem to have a head cold from being constantly cold. I'm a tradesman so outside a lot of the day which doesn't help, This never happened before my weight loss and I thought after 4 years I might have got used to it but nope. Anyone else been in this situation?

cerad2

Yep. I still have more padding than you but I get the chills all the time. Grew up in Michigan and was used to the winters but nowadays even having the temperature dip below 40(f) is a big deal. Heating blankets and small space heaters are among my best friends. On the plus side, the hot summers no longer bother me as much.

gallicinvasion

Layers layers layers! I always put leggings under my pants in the winter, as well as long sleeve shirts under the top layer.

janejellyroll

I'm better at DRESSING for the cold. After five years, I don't think I'll ever be as toasty as I was with all my extra padding.

SnifterPug

I feel the cold now, too. Hot drinks are your friend - take a thermos on site if they don't have proper tea facilities. Layers, as others have said, are vital. You're better off with several thin layers than one chunky jumper. Gym or running wear is good as it allows you to move freely for your job and helps wick away sweat if you're doing heavy work. For me a bit trick in not letting the chill set in is to keep extremities warm. Good socks and boots are a must. Also a hat. Gloves may not be practical given your job but it's worth having some in your pockets so you can at least wear them on breaks.

kshama2001

dave_in_ni wrote: »

It was 4 years ago now since I dropped 60lbs which makes me 6ft at 170lbs, I don't have much padding now lol and this is the issue. Come Autumn / Winter I am constantly freezing even when its not overly cold. My nose is always running and I always seem to have a head cold from being constantly cold. I'm a tradesman so outside a lot of the day which doesn't help, This never happened before my weight loss and I thought after 4 years I might have got used to it but nope. Anyone else been in this situation?

Are you dressing the same as you did 60 pounds ago? My mother weighs considerably less than my brother and me and dresses very differently than we do...I was going to say in the Fall, but really, all year round.

Are you making sure to keep your head, hands, and feet nice and warm? I have some mitten gloves - the mitten part flips back to expose my fingertips when needed. Example:

https://www.amazon.com/Palmyth-Convertible-Fingerless-Thinsulate-Photography/dp/B07VZSPYQ3/

Thinsulate boots? Layers of socks, including wool socks?

For hat inspiration, watch "Fortitude." I'm in the US and watched on Amazon Prime, but it's a British show and there may be many different ways to watch depending on what country you're in.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortitude_(TV_series)

(Notice how all the ears are covered or coverable with flaps.)





My OH liked the way Dr. Khatri rocked her hat:

kshama2001

More from "Fortitude" - when Stanley Tucci's character arrived from London like this he was referred to as "the man in the stupid coat."



He learned how to dress appropriately:

girlwithcurls2

Have you tried flannel lined jeans/work pants? My husband has two pair for those cold days when he wants to get outside tasks done. He has no extra body fat. That and a good hat. A hat does wonders, even if it's something like a base layer under a helmet/hard hat.

Mithridites

In a nutshell... NO. Good base layers helped the first time I lost a lot of weight and worked outside. I got a good set at costco that was thin and flexible but had a high merino wool content. Also check out Duluth Trading for excellent cold weather work wear. It's rarely in my price range, except when on sale, but all my items from there have worn exceptionally well. I also like the way they do business.
Glove liners and even sock liners also were lifesavers. And I knit myself a custom-fit balaclava that fit under the ear-flap hat (or could fit under a hardhat). Maybe a kind knitter in your life can make you cozy
I may have looked wrapped up but I did NOT get sick.

dolliesdaughter

Cold all the time.

domeofstars

No, I never have. I'm always cold when its winter and autumn! Its frustrating.

dave_in_ni

Thanks all, more layers just seem to be the key and a hat, I need a good hat but preferably one that doesn't make me look like a Russian operative.

mylittlerainbow

I have always been too cold all winter long. Did notice a difference when I gained all the weight and will be interested to see how this winter will go now that I'm back down.

lgfrie

I am cold constantly now, which is funny, because before I dieted, I was always hot. In spring and summers, I used to keep the airconditioning pegged to 68, nowadays it's set to 73 and a lot of the time it's off if as long as it isn't too brutally hot outside. All winter long, I am freezing - never used to be that way. I guess all that fat served at least one useful purpose LOL

Jruzer

I have never become acclimated to the cold after my weight loss. On the flip side, though, even the hottest days of summer now seem pleasant to me.

Diatonic12

@kshama2001

steveko89

I've never lost more than ~30 lbs but that first winter was brutal. Subsequently, I think I've adjusted to an extent but still layer up more than I used to.

LivingtheLeanDream

I'm always coldrife too, layer up, thats all you can do - thermal vests/bottoms etc and even thermal socks.

kshama2001

For indoors, these Sorel Manawan slippers (bought a little big so I can wear cotton socks plus wool socks) make a huge difference. I saved $50 on my heating bill the first month I got them because I was able to turn down the heat.

https://www.amazon.com/Sorel-Manawan-Slippers-Polyester-Buffalo/dp/B07MM5QR4X/



Also, I got flannel pajamas from Land's End last year for my birthday and they are soooooo warm!

KickassAmazon76

I am always cold and get the chills very easily. The thinner I get, the worse it is.

Sadly it doesn't get better... You just need to dress warmer.

Congrats on the massive loss and on keeping it off!

VeryKatie

I find when I eat maintenance calories its not as bad. Are you still eating a deficit or are you maintaining? If it helps... muscle keeps you warmer than fat so.. lift? Or so I heard anyway.

springlering62

Diatonic12 wrote: »

@kshama2001

That is a GORGEOUS coat!!!!!! Is it a Pendleton?

AnnPT77

When I'm cold, I've found that wearing silk long johns as a layer under whatever** is a good thing: Adds surprising warmth, with very little thickness. They're not as expensive as you'd think, if you don't care what color they are (buy on clearance). (** Even under heavier long johns!)

I don't really feel colder this time around after weight loss, though that did happen to me in my 20s when I lost quite a bit of weight. This makes me think there's a metabolism dimension to this, not just the padding issue alone. (I lost about 60 pounds at 5'5".) Personally, the only thing I notice is that my fingertips and toes get cold more easily, which I think probably has something to do with aging and circulation, rather than weight loss - my fingers/toes haven't lost *lots* of padding 😆. The rest of me still stays similarly warm as when fat, including feet/hands below the finger/toe tips.

Still, the silk layer thing has been a go-to for me for years, during Winter (regularly below freezing outdoors here, sometimes quite a bit below). I prefer to keep my house cool (usually 63F/17C), because I've found that keeping the house really warm means I'm less adapted and feel colder when I go out. I do dress somewhat warmly indoors as a result (sweatshirt), and have an afghan/blanket handy when sitting down.

When outside, don't underestimate the value of a windbreak layer, both torso and legs, too. In the damp, especially, waterproof socks (like Goretex, neoprene) or shoes can be helpful (tend to be pricey, though). You're probably already doing the "alternating tuck", i.e., long underwear pants over long underwear shirt, turtleneck over long underwear pants, regular pants over turtleneck . . . no gaps, and multiple gap insurance. 😉 Some people like the chemical hand/foot warmers that lots of hunters use: You can buy 'em by the case around here in Winter.

GaleHawkins

Read on how one can convert white fat to a more brown fat like is found in babies. By increasing our mitochondria count we burn more energy even when at rest hence we stay more warm.

kshama2001

AnnPT77 wrote: »

When I'm cold, I've found that wearing silk long johns as a layer under whatever** is a good thing: Adds surprising warmth, with very little thickness. They're not as expensive as you'd think, if you don't care what color they are (buy on clearance). (** Even under heavier long johns!)

I don't really feel colder this time around after weight loss, though that did happen to me in my 20s when I lost quite a bit of weight. This makes me think there's a metabolism dimension to this, not just the padding issue alone. (I lost about 60 pounds at 5'5".) Personally, the only thing I notice is that my fingertips and toes get cold more easily, which I think probably has something to do with aging and circulation, rather than weight loss - my fingers/toes haven't lost *lots* of padding 😆. The rest of me still stays similarly warm as when fat, including feet/hands below the finger/toe tips.

Still, the silk layer thing has been a go-to for me for years, during Winter (regularly below freezing outdoors here, sometimes quite a bit below). I prefer to keep my house cool (usually 63F/17C), because I've found that keeping the house really warm means I'm less adapted and feel colder when I go out. I do dress somewhat warmly indoors as a result (sweatshirt), and have an afghan/blanket handy when sitting down.

When outside, don't underestimate the value of a windbreak layer, both torso and legs, too. In the damp, especially, waterproof socks (like Goretex, neoprene) or shoes can be helpful (tend to be pricey, though). You're probably already doing the "alternating tuck", i.e., long underwear pants over long underwear shirt, turtleneck over long underwear pants, regular pants over turtleneck . . . no gaps, and multiple gap insurance. 😉 Some people like the chemical hand/foot warmers that lots of hunters use: You can buy 'em by the case around here in Winter.

Other benefits to layering up and keeping the house cool are saving money and less dry skin/nosebleeds. I use to have terrible nosebleeds all winter long which stopped once I got control of the thermostat.

QueenDriventosuccess

yup im freezing.. I swear every time i lose weight the colder i get. I hat being code and im eastern lol

kshama2001

dave_in_ni wrote: »

Thanks all, more layers just seem to be the key and a hat, I need a good hat but preferably one that doesn't make me look like a Russian operative.

What about the bank robber look?

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=balaclava&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

richardgavel

kshama2001 wrote: »

dave_in_ni wrote: »

Thanks all, more layers just seem to be the key and a hat, I need a good hat but preferably one that doesn't make me look like a Russian operative.

What about the bank robber look?

https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=balaclava&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

I think that's less "bank robber" and more "ninja"!