Eilonwy Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hey all, I started losing weight 1,5 years ago and have been going down slowly, but steadily. I'm almost at my desired weight, so that's good, but here's my problem: I feel cold. Like all the time! My hands and feet are quite cold all day (and often night), and I often wear jackets indoors. It started about 8 months ago, and I feel it's getting worse. And I'm sure it's not just because of winter. I feel cold much more than ever, although I'm also wearing more clothes. It it especially bad right after lunch or dinner - I get so cold about 5 minutes after that I need to sit by the heater for a while. It's creepy. I have read (and it seems logical) that I feel cold more easily because there is less "insulation", and I guess my body has to adapt... but can it really be just that? Or could it be a different problem? What could I do to feel warmer again (without gaining weight )? I drink tea a lot, but that only helps for about half an hour... Link to post Share on other sites
ColorCube Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Have you had your thyroid checked?, if your levels are off then that might contribute to your feeling cold all the time. I do believe that it is hypothyroidism that can make you feel cold. Link to post Share on other sites
josie54 Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Ellonwy, I lost 30 pounds about two years ago, and I experienced the same thing you did. I was cold ALL the time. I really believe it's because you've removed a layer of insulating fat, and so, your body is having a harder time warming itself. The other negative side effect I had was that it hurt to sit in an uncushioned chair! My bottom hurt all the time, because I had lost my "seat cushion." I really never found an answer to the cold problem, except to dress in warmer clothes than I had been used to. I eventually gained back 15 pounds of the 30 pounds, and my cold problem did go away at that point. To make it worse, I'm back on a weight loss program and have lost five pounds, and I'm starting to get cold again! So maybe I should just stay at this point, so I don't freeze. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Eilonwy Posted February 11, 2009 Author Share Posted February 11, 2009 Have you had your thyroid checked?, if your levels are off then that might contribute to your feeling cold all the time. I do believe that it is hypothyroidism that can make you feel cold. Nope, haven't done that. I assume I'd have to see a doctor for that? Ellonwy, I lost 30 pounds about two years ago, and I experienced the same thing you did. I was cold ALL the time. I really believe it's because you've removed a layer of insulating fat, and so, your body is having a harder time warming itself. The other negative side effect I had was that it hurt to sit in an uncushioned chair! My bottom hurt all the time, because I had lost my "seat cushion." I really never found an answer to the cold problem, except to dress in warmer clothes than I had been used to. I eventually gained back 15 pounds of the 30 pounds, and my cold problem did go away at that point. To make it worse, I'm back on a weight loss program and have lost five pounds, and I'm starting to get cold again! So maybe I should just stay at this point, so I don't freeze. Good to know I'm not alone! And I have the exact same problem with my bottom, too! Perhaps I'll just have to suffer for the rest of my life. Link to post Share on other sites
wuggle Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Exercise more, this will increase blood circulation and generally make you feel warmer. Link to post Share on other sites
josie54 Posted February 12, 2009 Share Posted February 12, 2009 Exercise more, this will increase blood circulation and generally make you feel warmer. I was exercising 1.5 hours or more a day most days of the week, strength training and cardio, and I think it just made me colder during the times I wasn't exercising. It may just be something with our particular body chemistry, Eilonwy. I know that I had an extremely hard time maintaining my weight when I got to my lowest weight....my body wanted to be heavier, even though I don't like the way I look with those few extra pounds. And I was shivering! My lowest weight was 128 pounds, at 5'6"....my heaviest was 158 pounds. I'm now at about 140 pounds, and I'm trying to lose just a couple more pounds to get to 138, where I hope to stay. But I am anticipating being a bit colder than usual! As to the thyroid, it definitely plays a role in your body temperature, but as far as I know, mine isn't causing the problem. I have had my thyroid checked (just ask your doctor to test your TSH levels--TSH stands for "thyroid stimulating hormone"). "Normal" TSH range is .5 to 5.0. Below .5 is hyperthyroid (meaning your thyroid is pumping out too much hormone, so TSH stays low) ...above 5.0 is hypothyroid (meaning thyroid isn't pumping enough, so TSH stays high). Interestingly enough, mine has run between .41 (low) and .65 (low normal), which would make me think I'd feel hot, not cold. Definitely not the case. Link to post Share on other sites
electric_sheep Posted February 13, 2009 Share Posted February 13, 2009 Hey all, I started losing weight 1,5 years ago and have been going down slowly, but steadily. I'm almost at my desired weight, so that's good, but here's my problem: I feel cold. Like all the time! My hands and feet are quite cold all day (and often night), and I often wear jackets indoors. My best friend is 260 lbs. and he never gets cold! He can go outside in shorts in the dead of winter. I think getting cold easier is just a part of being skinny, so dress warmer. On the flip side, my friend absolutely hates warm weather (I'm talking 80's), and he sweats profusely, even when he is doing absolutely nothing. I can run 4 miles and have but the slightest sweat spot on my chest, and my friend will have sweat continuously dripping off his forehead from just sitting inside in the AC. Don't know if all this is related to size/fat, but it wouldn't surprise me. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts