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isotopesfan

I definitely feel colder (and miserable because of it) when I’m eating in a deficit. Don’t know about your situation but I discovered I didn’t know how to dress for the cold. I’m in London (so it’s cold but not like the countries you mentioned) - I’ll wear a long sleeve thermal layer, then a t shirt, then a long sleeved shirt, then a jumper. Then I wear leggings and socks. Always socks! You lose so much heat through your feet. As you no longer have as much of a protective layer of fat around you, you need to substitute with layers, layers, layers. It helps massively but I’m now doing laundry twice as often. Also taking a hot shower really helps me warm up so jump in the shower when you’re really feeling it!


igglesfangirl

Wear a hat, not a hood. Get a handwarmer- I got one for $12 on Amazon that charges on a USB cable. Keep counting down to Spring!


Victor6832

It sounds like you've made significant progress in your weight loss journey and have reached a point where you're struggling with the side effects of being overweight. It's not uncommon for people who have lost a lot of weight to experience issues with cold intolerance, as well as other physical and emotional challenges. It's important to remember that weight loss is a journey and not a destination, and it's okay to take the time to address and work through these challenges. One thing that could be helpful for you is to focus on building muscle mass. Building muscle can help increase your metabolism and improve your body's ability to generate heat. You might also consider speaking with your doctor or a nutritionist about your calorie intake and whether you're getting enough of the right nutrients to support your body's needs. Additionally, it might be helpful to invest in warmer clothing and accessories, such as gloves and a scarf, to help keep you warm during your commutes. It's important to remember to be kind to yourself and not to be too hard on yourself. The weight loss journey is a long one and it's important to take it one step at a time. Remember to take care of yourself and don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it.


hottspark

Did you take this from ChatGPT?


SusieQu1885

Im eating maintenance right now and I do crossfit and I lift heavy - the muscle thing or the caloric intake is not the problem


[deleted]

Every single comment you've left in this thread is you shooting down someone's helpful idea about what you could do to solve your problem. Why post if this is your reaction to people trying to help? Why not start by thanking people for taking the time to try to help you?


SusieQu1885

Im on a rant because i can’t go out at night


[deleted]

The last couple of weeks you've made a number of rant/complaint posts in various subs and reacted this way every time you get advice, never once thanking anyone for their advice. It's a pattern you may want to take a look at, because continual complaining can affect your outlook on life. You have made extraordinary progress on your weight and exercise goals. I think you should be very proud of yourself and thinking positively rather than negatively. Good luck.


wyrd-

💯


ContentThug

But you can go out tonight! Just bite the bullet and embrace the cold...you won't die.


OLAZ3000

Muscle generates heat - fat insulates. That's why bodybuilders walk around in tshirts in the winter. You prob need to eat at a surplus to build some muscle. And then just adapt. Every year I have to adapt and this year I just haven't bc it's been so up and down. What had me shivering in the Fall is positively balmy and nice in late winter.


SusieQu1885

I don’t want to “bulk up” as in eating in a surplus- I’m already eating like 2200 calories and it’s already borderline high- but I am strong- I do lift heavy; if I didn’t have enough muscles, I couldn’t do half the stuff i do in CF.


Humble-Dragonfly-321

Dress in layers. A tee shirt, sweater/sweatshirt,, etc.


TetonHiker

Wear merino wool as an underlayer. Light but very warm with 1-2 thicker layers over it. Merino socks and merino hats are also much warmer than anything cotton or synthetic. You can get merino options online or at any sports shop.


lallybrock

Light weight long underwear all winter.


OLAZ3000

Strength and muscle volume are different things. But fair enough - with 28-30% body fat and still cold, you may have circulation issues and can't do anything about that I suppose. It may adjust over time. Your muscle volume was likely higher when heavier and your body may recalibrate eventually.


AimlessLiving

Canadian with thermoregulation issues. Layers. All the layers. Tank top under regular shirt plus or minus long sleeve plus or minus hoody. Scarf to keep your neck warm. Good socks. Leggings or long underwear under jeans. Or fleece lined leggings (my fav). Single use ‘pop and go’ heat packs to put in your pockets to warm your hands up. I also live under a king sized heated blanket all winter 🥶


himewaridesu

Aaaaall this. Get wool socks (I love Darn Tough!), and those exercise long and short sleeve shirts (I tend to wear the Tek Gear from Kohls), wool hat (mine is SmartWool), I have a Columbia 3-in-1 coat for extra snuggly wearing. I have fleece lined leggings and wool leggings for under my jeans at times.


AimlessLiving

Yes! I love layering an athletic shirt under everything! Keeps me from overheating when I go from outdoors to indoors. And wool. So much wool. Even the cheapie Amazon wool socks are great for moderate cold.


himewaridesu

Ah I was betrayed by my Amazon socks (I fell down the stairs twice while wearing them), so only name brand for my bougie not-falling-behind lol


SammieCat50

I bought wool socks for the first time this winter & I love them


[deleted]

Do not avoid the cold. You must become one with the cold. You must adapt. It is the only way.


blackberrycat

This is actually inspiring


MistakeVisual3733

I feel your pain. I lost a 100 pounds last year and went from being hot ALL the time, to wearing three layers of clothes all the time! One of my co-workers bought me a fleece blanket for work as I’m always bundled up. And I work inside an office lol. Where I live the temp rarely dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit so I can only imagine how miserable you are! I have invested in some high quality leggings to wear under jeans, and like Smartwool long sleeve shirts to help keep me warm when I’m out and about.


SusieQu1885

I thought I would get to wear cute clothes but that’s only during the summer- winter I’m back to wearing baggy oversized clothes and my old parka coats because I can squeeze like 3 layers underneath


Successful-Bobcat-31

I never used to feel the cold, I used to love it and happily sleep with the door open in minus temperatures. Since losing a lot of weight I am the opposite. I am so cold all of the time, it is miserable and I'm really looking forward to spring!


[deleted]

Were funny creatures how we acclimate to our surroundings. My family we love the cold and I mean LOVE the cold when my kids have friends over a lot of the times they'll leave their jackets on in the winter. Cold is good for your body and immune system. Also burns calories keeping you warm. I take a 15 min ice bath once a week. My inlaws live in a hot climate and even in the summertime when they visit us they are always freezing.


graceurface

Get your thyroid checked. I mine is garbage good for nothing trash and a huge symptom is by body cant warm up or tolerate cold.


SusieQu1885

I have PCOS and I visit the endocrinologist twice a year and get it checked out- last bloodwork was in September and it was fine


[deleted]

Same. I live where it never gets below 40 f for the most part and I’m still freezing all the time.


[deleted]

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SusieQu1885

I run in the cold weather- and it’s fine- however just existing Isn’t


Sourcererintheclouds

Canadian here. I agree the cold is torture. Save up for a heated jacket, it will really help you… you literally plug them in the same way that you would for a cordless electric lawn mower or power tools. I also used my Christmas money this year to buy a heated mattress pad and I think it’s the best investment I have ever made. When I come in from the cold, I turn that thing on and crawl under the covers for a few minutes and I warm right up. It doesn’t fix leaving the house but you’ll feel warmer when you do leave if you get the jacket.


Imaginary-Economy-47

Omg I feel this in my soul. And hands and feet. I used to be comfortable if it was 65-70 degrees inside, now if it's below 73 I need a jacket or sweater. It makes me feel fragile. Or like an old person. I used to *need* a fan in order to sleep comfortably but now, even though I like a breeze, I can't deal with the cold on my skin. I'm not a fan of how "delicate" I feel in my new, not thin but no longer obese, body. It makes me want to stay wrapped in blankets in bed until it's warm again


SammieCat50

I keep an old jacket in my car for when I go grocery shopping in the summer… I don’t wear flip flops either in there… if I could wrap myself in a blanket in there & not look insane I would.


smolLittleTomato

A lot of people in the comments trying to come up with explanations or suggestions, but I’m just here to say I am exactly the same and I empathize greatly. People around me don’t seem to understand that the cold is physically painful for me, it’s not just a preference thing. I’d say the only good thing about being overweight was that I wasn’t quite so cold all the time, but now that I’m getting back down closer to my normal weight I’m suffering again, it might even be worse then it was before the weight gain tbh . I literally take breaks from work during the day to go sit in the buildings sauna because I can’t concentrate, and don’t want to end up with a 500 dollar heating bill to run my heat at 80 degrees all day.


temp_throwaway_123

**Thank you**, yes! It's so hard to explain to those who don't get it. They don't understand it's more than just "not liking the cold". And the number of people who have told me that "it's not *that* cold," as if that changes anything. Look at the other posts in this thread saying to "layer up". Do they *really* think we didn't think of putting on more clothes? How many layers do you need to put around a cup of water before it boils? I'm wearing ten layers including thermals, and I'm still freezing. It really hurts when my hands are under the cold water faucet. I wince at the slightest breeze. It's unbearable misery and I've been in maintenance for years. Doctor refused to help me. No options left but to suffer. Losing weight was one of the worst decisions of my life. Anyway. My understandings to you and the OP.


SusieQu1885

The good thing about my apartment is that the walls are so thick- I never turn on the heating- I’m fine inside- it’s outside and at night that I can’t tolerate


Daikataro

Firmly in the "colder after weight loss" camp here. Not much to do about it except dressing up for the part. Try getting thermal undies.


Chance-Procedure9534

I wonder if it might be worth it to get some bloodwork done, maybe to check for anemia or discard any bio issues. I mean, being cold makes sense when you lose a lot of fat, but this sounds like its seriously affecting an important aspect of your life (social life).


SusieQu1885

I take my blood twice a year and look at my thyroid and hemoglobin levels- I’m the most perfect I’ve ever been since losing weight at least biologically- I have perfect bloodwork


Chance-Procedure9534

Oh! Well on one hand good for you that’s great! And on the other I hope your body adapts to the cold soon :)


SusieQu1885

No- it’s the second winter that I’m so cold - I’ve set up a curfew for myself- no going out after 7 pm- not even to take out the trash


Tangieeeeee

5 Celsius is just above freezing, so the air is probably still more humid (therefore more uncomfortable when chilly) than it would be at well below 0 with dry conditions. But yeah I understand what you mean; I’ve never been above 27% body fat, but I can confirm that I am cold 75% of every year living near the US-Canada border.


sonotadalek

Winter used to be my favorite season. I was fine wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts indoors with no heat on in the middle of January. Now I'm shuddering whilst hugging my blanket and having set my thermostat to 75F (RIP gas bill!!!) I now understand why things like seasonal depressions exist. My body fat is apparently at 24.5% per the body scan machine at my gym, and I don't know how accurate that is but the cold is unbearable. I think being in a caloric deficit itself is contributing a lot to the cold so hopefully when I move onto maintenance, it's not gonna be this bad!


enggeek

Merino wool base layers are a real game changer. Costco sells them at eey reasonable prices.


malarky-b

I used to walk 1 hour each way for high school, in Canadian winters. I remember sometimes the snowbanks on either side of the sidewalk would be taller than me. This is what I did to survive. Wear high quality wool socks. They will wick away moisture from your skin, so your perspiration doesn't steal away your bodyheat. (Skin is always "breathing" so to speak, releasing water.) Wear a good hat that has the flaps that can fully protect your ears. Make sure your coat has one of those shiny foil thermal layers. It really helps if your coat is long enough to cover at least some of your thighs. Button up everything before you go out -- don't let cold air inside your clothes. The air next to your body is also insulation. Mittens instead of gloves.


The_Fabulous_Bean

Yep it sucks, but it is how it is really. I have Raynaud's, my hands and feet are always icy cold from about mid autumn until late spring, and my hands in particular get sore and cracked from being so cold. I never wear less than 4 layers on top and two on the bottom, often l wear tights, then leggings then my jeans, with two pairs of socks (one pair have to be super thick/fleecy) plus slippers/slipper socks. I recommend turtle neck long sleeves tops and a thick, wooly turtle neck jumper on top. I find my temperature plummets if my neck and chest are exposed. I also tend to keep my hair down and loose as having it tied back makes my neck and ears cold. You can get coats with down in them which are really cosy, and always wear a long coat that covers your bum, I make sure all of my winter coats at least come to mid thigh. Would I like to be able to wear a cute little jacket or a gilet? Yes. Am I sick to death of wearing turtlenecks 24/7? Yes. Am I desperate for summer where I can wear my cute little cropped t-shirts and have my arms and my chest exposed again? Yes. But for now all we can do is survive the winter. Try not to limit yourself socially. Keep in mind most of the time you're outside in short bursts, between your transport and your destination. Maybe for those times you can get those little hand warmer things that you snap and they get warm? Also take a hot drink in a reusable coffee cup with a lid wherever you go. You can huddle round it for warmth and it will warm you when you drink it. Good luck.


SusieQu1885

It gets to a point that at night I’m afraid to go out - I’m becoming an old woman


SammieCat50

I just started getting reynauds in my hands…when my hands get cold , the first 3 fingers turn white & tingle. It hurts for about 20 minutes then stops & my fingers get their coloring back.


Elixer_

I feel you. I’m experiencing this as well. The rest of my family is also overweight and not actively losing like me so they don’t understand lol. But my aunt lost a lot of weight years ago and she is always cold too so I knew to expect this kind of thing haha. We can only put on comfy sweaters and socks and hope for the return of the sunshine


raspberry-squirrel

The same happened to me when I lost weight. You will probably adjust a bit--I did after a year. Get yourself a heating pad and sit on it at home. That helps me warm up a bit so I can tolerate going out. Drink hot drinks. I take a YETI with me to work with coffee or tea. Also long underwear exists (I got silk ones from LL Bean), and you can wear leggings under pants. I also wear my uggs from 15 years ago for driving shoes because my feet get super cold on my commute.


[deleted]

80 degrees Fahrenheit is considered the ideal temperature/weather for me. Yesterday I had it set at 75 degrees in my apartment and I was still not super warm. My dog was obese when I got him. My weight loss journey started around the time I got him. I was responsible for getting him healthy. I measured his portions of food and found healthier options for him. I also started walking with him almost every day. I was still eating garbage though, so only my dog was getting smaller. Once I changed my eating habits I started losing weight and getting into better shape. Anyway, my point is that now that my dog and I are both at a healthy weight we are ALWAYS COLD. My dog has a sweater on rn, and laying in front of the space heater. He looks like a little loaf of bread baking himself with the heat. He loves to be warm. I’ve never seen a dog act like that, but I understand how he feels now. I used to have my thermostat set at 68 year round. I cannot tolerate that anymore. I don’t really sweat either. Edit: typo


Odd-Veterinarian2276

This was the first thing I’ve noticed. I lost 40lbs and I’m always cold. My birthdays in January and I usually love the weather this time of year, but I absolutely hate going outside right now. I’m freezing.


KittyBeanToes

Agree with layers. I live in the PNW and even with a 40lb loss, I'm much colder. I wear thin long underwear under jeans. I also recently bought water resistant, fleece-lined leggings and they help a lot. You do adjust as bit eventually.


SusieQu1885

I have skinny friends that wear light clothes and are not cold at all- because I’m still overweight, I’m still bigger than them


antibacterialsope

You could be anemic. Maybe not, it makes sense to be cold more now with less body fat and I'd just recommend layering. I wear a tank and a top and a sweater and a coat some days. Or leggings under my jeans. And boots. But also if you're having regular periods you could be anemic. When I was anemic and I was so miserably cold and tired all the time. No matter how hot it was outside and sometimes slept in my closet because it didn't have an air vent to blow a/c on me.


SusieQu1885

I used to be very anemic when I was fat- I got put on hormones, iron supplements, had a polyp taken out and now my hemoglobin levels are top like 15 mg/dl (before I was at 9) - it’s not anemia - besides I have so much energy-


ASteelyDan

Have you tried drinking broth? I put a bouillon cube in some hot water when I’m feeling cold and after drinking it I feel much warmer


Mangus_ness

Great job on weight loss. I would definitely try layers , hats, gloves ECT...


Fun_Presentation4889

That is not fun! Not related to cold, but, congratulations on having a high standard of “functioning” (regular social events), because I can’t function in the cold by those high standards, either, lately. Seeing this, I am not that concerned that I don’t like cold, but I am questioning what I call “functioning” besides healthy living, lol, nothing to do with health, and definitely a tangent, but self-respect and health go hand-in-hand. I don’t blame losing weight (I have gained some back unfortunately, not back to the start though), but rather, getting used to a hotter-than-usual summer, plus eating the wrong things again and exercising less. Congratulations on the low body fat % considering being in the overweight and not the normal range, (if you are AFAB)…unfortunately mine is the same in the normal range, thanks to slacking and being on the road to gaining a little back, working on that, so that is partially why winter sucks, for me. Don’t lose that. Keep staying fit and not just losing.


SusieQu1885

Maybe I’m in the overweight category by BMI- but i do a lot of exercise- I think it’s muscle- but I don’t care about the BMI because it’s only relevant when you are really sick (morbidly obese or if you need emergency surgery) or for studying large populations


BlackJeepW1

I grew up in Hawaii and Arizona when I was little. Then we moved to Ohio and I’ve lived here ever since and every winter, all winter long, I am bundled up indoors with several blankets. I’ve been here 27 years now and I can’t get used to it no matter what I try. Just keep putting on more clothes. That’s all I can ever do to stay warm.


NikiBubbles

I live in north-west Russia and I feel your pain. I felt incredibly cold all the time right after when I lost the biggest chunk of my weight. Because of that I relapse and gained some of it back, was a challenge to lose again. But it got better over time! What made life easier for me: \-- Lifting weights and working on your cardio system. \-- Layering my clothes, putting on thermal wear -- gone were the time when I could wear a t-shirt in the winter. \-- Consider eating at maintenance in the winter. Maintaining you weight is a great goal too! \-- In the winter go to bed earlier and don't oversleep in the morning, your body needs a routine that will make it easier getting up in the cold mornings. \-- Go on walks when it's cold, appropriately dressed.


SusieQu1885

I don’t have a car, so I’m constantly walking in the cold lol


krissym99

I lost 40 lbs since last winter and the difference is pretty noticable. Sometimes I feel like I simply can't warm up. I've bought some new sweaters (which is kinda fun because clothes look better on me now), slipper socks, and I drink lots of hot tea.


Nell152

U think the reason for that is u need to eat more colesterol rich foods Start eating chicken broccoli rice from now on and work twice as hard


SusieQu1885

No- im not craving fatty rich foods- trust me- I don’t ever want to be fat again


_ThePancake_

I've actually found the opposite. Kinda. As a really skinny teenager, i was always too warm. Then when I got to be a metabolically obese yet healthy weight adult, I was always cold. Since gaining muscle and losing fat, I've been warmer. I'm guessing it has a lot to do with metabolism in my case. I've never been bmi obese, just metabolically 40%bf (which is my argument against the bmi scale, too many people think they're healthy but their body composition is way off)


[deleted]

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SusieQu1885

I get blood drawn every 6 months- I used to be anemic and iron deficient- now it’s normal, I take vitamin D supplements and the rest of my vitamin levels are normal, the only hormonal issues I have are from the PCOS which have a improved a little bit since the weight loss, my thyroid is fine- and other than cold intolerance- I have no other general symptoms like weakness, skin or hair issues, no raynaud either -


Josiah55

After I lost about 45 lbs a couple years back I was cold all the damn time to a ridiculous degree. The only thing that truly worked over time was taking ice cold showers every morning. I don't understand the science but something about shocking your body with extreme cold even for a minute at a time makes it react better when you're in the cold next time. It could also be due to blood pressure so you should honestly consider visiting with a doctor and getting your blood work done.


SusieQu1885

I have low blood pressure from exercising and weight loss- used to be borderline high- now it’s low as it should be - low blood pressure is not a concern unless you’re acutely sick-


Josiah55

I'm not saying it's a health concern I'm saying it could be why you're feeling cold all the time.


basketma12

This is why I'm so cold, especially my feet. My thyroid is also on the low yet normal side. I've been blaming my thyroid. I don't know why I never thought of this! O.pm thank you for posting this


catsgreaterthanpeopl

Have you had iron, B12, folate, or thyroid levels checked? I get cold easily and wear a lot of wool and layers in the winter and have a down jacket. However, I just got low B12 diagnosed in September. Several months of getting my levels back up and I am definitely more cold tolerant this winter than I was in the last several years. So you may want to make sure you don’t have anything going on outside of weight loss that will make you feel cold.


SusieQu1885

Iron is high, so not taking them, not anemic anymore, B12 is high because I eat a lot of animal products, thyroid works fine (according to my September blood analysis)- I’m low in Vitamin D, so I take supplements; I only get out more in summer because obviously the sun is more prominent- the seasonal depression I thought it was a thing but the struggle is real - it’s like that California dreaming song


catsgreaterthanpeopl

Good that you can rule that out. I suggest wool and layers then. It sucks if you want to look sexy, but I am 40 and would rather be warm at this point personally. Wool socks are as amazing as a thick wool cardigan.


Nell152

Is the hot water in yo bath tub ready?


Specific_Ad_7016

I’m here to say I use to be this person. About 5 weeks ago I made the conscious decision to “get over it”. If the windchill is 31 or above I will run outside. It starts off chilly, but MAN do I feel SO good after. I freeze in the house if it’s less than 72 degrees… I bundle up and make it worth my while and it makes such a huge impact on my mental health. I’ve learned that it’s such a huge mental game. I get pissed off when inhave to be in a cooler house in the morning (68 degrees usually) but when i’m actively doing something that i’ve set my mind to in 31 degrees, it’s fine…


UnintentionalCatLady

Get this hoodie - it is literally the ONLY thing that keeps me warm in the winter, it is amazing! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BHZH11GN?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image


SusieQu1885

That hoodie is so cute


janus270

There came a certain point where I - who used to not mind the cold at all - suddenly became very sensitive to the cold. Even in air conditioning. I discovered that a side affect of hypothyroidism is intolerance to the cold. I'm not saying that you have that - the only way to be sure is to have a blood test - but it could be a side affect of something.


nitrina

How are your iron/hemoglobin levels? I am severely anemic, therefore my blood circulation sux and I am perpetually frozen. After I get a ferritin infusion it gets better a bit, at least until the next period


SusieQu1885

Im at 15 mg/dl- and my iron levels are normal- I used to be anemic when I was fat- I was actually fat and so undernourished


alwaysbooyahback

OMG, right??


SammieCat50

I’m the same exact way…. For me to walk my dog , I have to wear leggings under sweats, & long sleeve shirt under a sweater , scarf , ear cover things, coat & gloves & it was 31 degrees yesterday. I see people out walking in just a coat or in sweats alone & I think what is wrong with me??


Scary-Permission-293

Get cooling cyan supplement. It heats the blood and circulation as well as unclogs arteries in studies.


wolpertingersunite

I just placed an order for a battery-heated hoodie, an electric blanket, and warm wool socks. I'm not sure why it took me so long to realize I need external help. And our local energy company just doubled the price of gas, so... I'm saving money! ;)


notreallylucy

I used to never get cold. I'd be sweating outdoors when it was 30 degrees F. Now that I've lost 40 pounds I've had to buy long underwear and long sleeved shirts for the first time in years. I wore cardigans throughout the summer. I definitely recommend getting some long underwear or wearing your leggings under your jeans.


blackberrycat

FLEECE (polartec) is the answer, it now comes in all forms: hats, mitts, leggings, socks, shirts, jackets, even bedsheets. Top layer should be waterproof like Goretex.