Losing weight and feeling COLD all the time?!!!

graysmom2005

It's a down side to losing the weight....and there aren't many. LOL! I will FREEZE. I'll be walking around with some family members who are bigger and I'll be cowering in a cardigan and they are fine. When you lose the padding it gets chilly! Muscle doesn't keep you warm! LOL!!

sopha20

my lips are forever blue and my goosebumps seem permanent, i've only lost like 8kgs. agh its so **** all my family keep going on about me needing to put on weight because of it

nomoblubber

Me too!
Used to sweat playing checkers in the freezer! Now cold fingers and feet.Cold all over if it's below 75. Less insulation, and fewer calories burning just to breath and sit.
Glad to have it. Will never go back,
Lost 120lbs.

BriHealthy150

Yup, I've lost 140 pounds so far and I used to always sweat wherever I went, no matter how far I walked. In the coldest winter days I would walk across campus to class and I would be sweating profusely for at least 5 minutes after I stopped moving. Now I find myself cold all the time! It's pretty funny how different it is but I love it. It's definitely better than sweating all the time!

danielle7840

I'm down 19 lbs from my highest and I'm drinking a ton a water, I still have 100 lbs to go. I'm eating 1200 calories and this week i have been dropping about a lb a day... which is exciting and concerning....

So it has to be something other than the things suggested in this article... http://www.livestrong.com/article/305720-how-come-when-you-lose-weight-you-feel-cold/ .

Any other ideas? Also, the cold seems to happen as i drink my water, which is not ice water. So bizarre.

LaLa482

I was at a conference the other day and everyone was stripping down/fanning themselves and I shivering. At least I can start pinpointing the reason now. Thanks!

jpw9988

I'm glad I found this, I have been cold since losing weight, glad its not out of the norm!!

sweetpea129

Old post but if it helps anyone, i too am always cold. Especially my fingers and toes. I wonder if my body will ever regulate.

Mzcotton78

When I first start a good fat burning diet I get cold really easily. I'm going to venture out on a limb and go AGAINST the grain and say it's NOT a sign of your metabolism slowing like people say. I think it is a sign of just the reverse. Why? Well, first of all on the diet I'm currently on, I'm losing almost half a pound a day. I know that will slow down soon, but that's normally how I lose when I first start. If I'm losing that much a day, I doubt it's a sign of a "slowed metabolism". I think it's actually because your metabolism is revved up! Well, when your metabolism is firing high your base body tempature is higher... when your base body tempature is higher you actually feel cold. Don't believe me? What happens when you have a fever? Anybody hear of something called "the chills"? I'm not sure why everyone jumps on the bandwagon that it's a sign of a slowed down metabolism when this happens. Your rule of thumb should be, 'Am I losing weight?" and "Do I feel energy?" If both of these answers are "yes"... it's highly unlikely that you've dieted yourself into a slow metabolism. (Cause neither would be happening in that case)

My two cents.....

Snoof1980

Glad to know I'm not the only one freezing to death! *L* I lost 65 pounds two and a half years ago and I've been cold ever since. At this point I've become a master at the fine art of layering.

AllonsYtotheTardis

You're not alone, OP. I'm cold most of the time. I'm looking forward to summer not being so freaking miserable for me, now.

tanyaboerhave5

I've lost 208 pounds since August of 2012 and intend to get down another 142 so I'm at 200. I too used to always sweat but am now freezing all of the time. It's uncomfortable physically but even worse it gives me flash backs to all the horrible infections that I've had. My question is will our bodies eventually adapt? Is there any way to get warm in the meantime?

SaRRkazm

YES!!!! I have lost 56 lbs in the past 4 months and I have always been a hot natured person. Now, I'm COLD!!! Just like there is a constant chill in my body. I jokingly said it must be because I have lost some of my natural insulation, but it actually seems to be the case. So I guess I have to start carrying around a sweater cuz I'm not going back!!!

CassidyScaglione

I notice it going both ways actually. If i'm moving around alot, i get warmer alot faster than i used to... but i am also noticing that it takes me longer to warm up the bed at night, and any time that i am sitting still for long periods (studying usually) i have to go and put a hoodie on or crank my thermostat.

Asher_Ethan

I feel like we need a club, "I lost weight, now I'm f****** freezing all the time."

bwogilvie

Zombie thread! But yes, many of us get cold when we're on a calorie deficit, especially at first. One of the ways that a normally functioning human body maintains a relatively uniform weight is by small adjustments to body temperature, fidgeting, etc. Eat a bit more than usual and you'll warm up to burn it off. Eat a bit less and you'll cool off again. East a lot less and you'll cool noticeably.

Psychgrrl

Kayley wrote: »

Well, I'm a bit relieved others are experiencing this. I admit it freaks me out sometimes that I get so cold that my fingernails start to turn purple. :huh:

You might want to see a doctor. If the room is a normal temp and you're dressed, your fingernails should not be turning blue.

yourhiddengem

I'm always cold. I'm also ready for summer.

ashmarie1083

I used to be warm all the time. I was always the hot one. Then I got an office job after losing 50lbs and was the frozen one.
I had a bunch of health problems, and gained a lot back, but I'm on my way down again... this time down almost 75lbs and (at another new office job) I have a sweatshirt and a blanket at my desk while the woman next to me has a fan blowing in her face. Though she is always warmer than most in general too so I guess we're the two extremes.

kshama2001

As someone who used to winter camp (sleeping outside in a tent in the winter) I'm always baffled by posts by people who are cold indoors where the temperature is presumably around 70 degrees F. Sure, as we lose insulation (fat) we would be colder in the same state of dress. To warm up, add insulation (clothes.) If I can be warm while sleeping outdoors at 7 (seven) degrees F, with the possible exception of circulatory issues, there is no reason to feel cold at 70 degrees F.

At home, start with cotton socks plus wool socks plus slippers like these Sorel Manawans.



If I were cold in an office environment, I'd wear leather boots, turtlenecks, sweaters, and drink a lot of hot beverages.

My mom's weight hovers around Underweight and she manages to stay warm by dressing appropriately, unlike my neighbor, who cranks the heat up in the winter so he can be warm when barefoot in thin pajamas.

I feel the need to add the disclaimer that if one is cold due to under-eating, to eat more.

GauchoMark

While some of the coldness may be related to hormonal responses and loss of insulation, you can also probably attribute a big part of it to the fact that most people are overweight and places control to temperature to satisfy the majority, so the thermostats are simply set too low.

Simple test - The EPA recommends summertime AC to be set at 78*F. Personally, this is a VERY comfortable temp in AC. Since the AC reduces humidity, it feels cooler anyways, you wear lighter clothes, etc. Walk around the office and ask your coworkers if they might sign a cost savings request to increase the AC setpoint to 78*F during the summer months and see how well that goes! If your coworkers are similar to mine, most people will react as if you bit the head off a kitten.

I lost 125 lbs about 4 years ago. I've been maintaining since. I'm still cold. I'm in my 68*F office writing this in long sleeves, coffee, and a space heater.

The positive side - It's 90+ degrees outside and 70+% humidity. While my coworkers complain about walking places and get nasty sweaty, I'm comfortable and dry - in long sleeves!

GauchoMark

Oh... and I also suspect that being in better cardiovascular shape (like most people that lose weight) probably makes you colder since your bloodpressure drops, heart rate drops, etc. My resting heartrate is in the mid 40's, so my body isn't doing much when I'm just sitting.

stealthq

kshama2001 wrote: »

As someone who used to winter camp (sleeping outside in a tent in the winter) I'm always baffled by posts by people who are cold indoors where the temperature is presumably around 70 degrees F. Sure, as we lose insulation (fat) we would be colder in the same state of dress. To warm up, add insulation (clothes.) If I can be warm while sleeping outdoors at 7 (seven) degrees F, with the possible exception of circulatory issues, there is no reason to feel cold at 70 degrees F.

At home, start with cotton socks plus wool socks plus slippers like these Sorel Manawans.



If I were cold in an office environment, I'd wear leather boots, turtlenecks, sweaters, and drink a lot of hot beverages.

My mom's weight hovers around Underweight and she manages to stay warm by dressing appropriately, unlike my neighbor, who cranks the heat up in the winter so he can be warm when barefoot in thin pajamas.

I feel the need to add the disclaimer that if one is cold due to under-eating, to eat more.

Perhaps it would be easier to understand if you consider that it is summer, and hot outside. If they happen to live in an area like mine where it is very hot, public buildings tend to keep the indoor temperatures very cold (<70) and the air is always blowing making it feel even colder.

People are dressing for the outside and then are cold when they come indoors. Presumably if they plan to stay indoors for a while, they will dress more warmly.

ETA: If I wore any of the clothes you describe at my workplace when it's 90+ outside, they'd think I'd lost it. Wearing a coat over summer clothes is much more acceptable.

stealthq

GauchoMark wrote: »

While some of the coldness may be related to hormonal responses and loss of insulation, you can also probably attribute a big part of it to the fact that most people are overweight and places control to temperature to satisfy the majority, so the thermostats are simply set too low.

Simple test - The EPA recommends summertime AC to be set at 78*F. Personally, this is a VERY comfortable temp in AC. Since the AC reduces humidity, it feels cooler anyways, you wear lighter clothes, etc. Walk around the office and ask your coworkers if they might sign a cost savings request to increase the AC setpoint to 78*F during the summer months and see how well that goes! If your coworkers are similar to mine, most people will react as if you bit the head off a kitten.

I lost 125 lbs about 4 years ago. I've been maintaining since. I'm still cold. I'm in my 68*F office writing this in long sleeves, coffee, and a space heater.

The positive side - It's 90+ degrees outside and 70+% humidity. While my coworkers complain about walking places and get nasty sweaty, I'm comfortable and dry - in long sleeves!

Yes. That would be me. Get the indoor temps to >74F and I'm sweating in a sleeveless summer dress. Get it up close to 80F with no air moving and I'm uncomfortable enough that I can't concentrate.

FTR, I'm not overweight and I run. You'd think I'd feel better in the heat, but no. Though I did tolerate cold better before.

kshama2001

stealthq wrote: »

kshama2001 wrote: »

As someone who used to winter camp (sleeping outside in a tent in the winter) I'm always baffled by posts by people who are cold indoors where the temperature is presumably around 70 degrees F. Sure, as we lose insulation (fat) we would be colder in the same state of dress. To warm up, add insulation (clothes.) If I can be warm while sleeping outdoors at 7 (seven) degrees F, with the possible exception of circulatory issues, there is no reason to feel cold at 70 degrees F.

At home, start with cotton socks plus wool socks plus slippers like these Sorel Manawans.



If I were cold in an office environment, I'd wear leather boots, turtlenecks, sweaters, and drink a lot of hot beverages.

My mom's weight hovers around Underweight and she manages to stay warm by dressing appropriately, unlike my neighbor, who cranks the heat up in the winter so he can be warm when barefoot in thin pajamas.

I feel the need to add the disclaimer that if one is cold due to under-eating, to eat more.

Perhaps it would be easier to understand if you consider that it is summer, and hot outside. If they happen to live in an area like mine where it is very hot, public buildings tend to keep the indoor temperatures very cold (<70) and the air is always blowing making it feel even colder.

People are dressing for the outside and then are cold when they come indoors. Presumably if they plan to stay indoors for a while, they will dress more warmly.

In the summer, I leave a flannel shirt in the car to wear while in supermarkets that have the AC set very cold (<70).

melissa6771

The first couple. I this I was losing I was freezing all the time! It was driving me crazy! Now it seems to have evened back out and my body temp seems to be normal again.

Alatariel75

I joke that I've lost my layer of protective blubber. It's a joke, but its also accurate.

Fat is an insulator, there's a reason fur-seals and polar bears have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat - it's how they live in below freezing conditions without their organs freezing. You lose the fat, you lose a layer of insulation.

PAV8888

I can confirm that the size and length of my deficit have correlated quite closely with my feelings of cold. Somewhat alleviated by more frequent walking. That and slower nail growth...

pigalow2002

I've lost approx. 60 lbs over the last couple of years(slowly, which I think is best), & I noticed last summer that the heat & humidity didn't really bother me(I live in the Midwest)which was a big change from the past wherein summer was my nemesis due to sensitivity to humidity. This was great, BUT, as I feared, now that it's getting cold outside I'm absolutely FREEZING! for the 1st time in my life, really. & the weird thing is, I was thin most of my life(I'm 45, & was thin 'til 35 or so)& never had this happen, so I'm a bit concerned as to why it is. I don't think it's age or weight related, & I did have Mono this summer & some issues with my pancrease. So, should I be worried that the coldness is due to something other than weight loss? Would you be?

Gotrek1

That was the main reason I put weight back on last time I did the weight loss thing. Less Floating, and finally understanding women. I was always cold no matter what I did. And seeing as I spend all day outside in the canadian winter after my desk job it was horrible.

I'm leveraging the under armour discounts to stay warm this time. 24"+ of snow in the last two days I'm going to need it