one4smoke

First, this time last year I was at 268 lbs. Then, got back into cycling heavily, and now I'm down to 188 at 53 years old. But here's the problem... This winter I have been absolutely freezing! And not just outside in the elements, but sitting around the house in a 72° to 75° environment! My wife is wearing me out because I'm constantly turning up the heat. And she's the one that's always complained it's "too cold."

Everyone suggests that it's because I've lost a lot of body fat, but I'm not so sure that's it. I'm a bit concerned it could quite possibly be a medical issue maybe. I've never been one to get cold easily, even back when I was skinny as a rail, when I was young.

Anyone else ever been through this??

OldsCOOL

My guess is your metab is quite adjusted to warmer weather and when it turns damp/chilly even 72 is cold. Up here we sweat in 72. Most of us set the thermostat at 68-70 which will give a swing of 66-72.

If your caloric intake is adequate and you arent running around in your underwear, everything else sounds about normal. If you are still cutting weight, that will be a core temp gamechanger. It surely is to me.

Being chilled is a sign of low thyroid. I was put on synthroid and my deer hunting was once again joyfully tolerant of cold weather.

trooper2899

Get your thyroid gland function checked (blood test) might need some adjustment - thyroid is like a thermostat

VegasTriker

Have you tried wearing heavier clothes? If I am sitting at the computer not moving with the house at 68 degrees I don't do it wearing a t-shirt and light pair of pants. If I were moving around the house those clothes might be adequate since movement equates to burning calories and naturally you would feel warmer. If you all bundled up and still feeling cold, then follow the advice to see a doctor with your complaint.

Ludkeh

I'm 67 and lost over 50 lbs about 6 years ago. I've stayed at about 140 since than. Like you, I'm always cold! I've learned to routinely wear more layers of clothing that I can shed as needed. In the wintertime when I'm working in my shop I always wear long johns under my work clothes. The extra layers make a big difference.
In the house I have a flannel shirt that I put on as needed.

PS: radiant floor heat is wonderful, allowing for a much more comfortable house !

Wildwood 

I went from 205 to about 180 over the past Summer, and was chilly when Fall temps arrived = below 60f.
But check with your Doc.

Velocivixen

I've lost 116 lbs. and I am cold more often. I dress in layers. I've had thyroid checked as part of a physical & all is normal.

Wileyrat

Yeah.

I lost 50ish lbs a few yrs ago, and have managed to keep it off. The first winter I noticed I got cold more often than I used to. The flips side is that I handle the heat a lot better than I did 50 lbs ago.

This year I'm going after the last 25 or 30.

BobbyG

Congrats on your weight loss and improved fitness!

jon c. 

I've always preferred it pretty warm, but I do think cold bothers me even more as I age so that could be a contributing factor. Fortunately, my wife is pretty similarly programmed. We keep the house at about 77 in the winter and about 82 in the summer. We feel almost guilty when we're outside and complaining about the cold when we realize it's in the 50s.

qcpmsame 

My weight loss is very close to the same numbers as the OP, felt cold for nearly 3 years now. Recently I found out that some of my being cold natured now, after always loving the colder weather, is the Parkinson's Disease. Seems that some PD folks have problems with this, never thought about it being the cause. Wife and I have swapped places, she has the hot sensations, from menopause, and now I am freezing. Used to be the exact opposite. Strange times we are living in now.

Bill

trackhub

one4smoke, all the advice here is good. I'm afraid though, that as you age, the cold will simply bother you more, and
there is not a heck of a lot you can do about it. I used to ride regularly in temps as low as the 20s, but now, at 59,
40s is my low limit. And yes, I have all the cold weather gear.

In the colder weather, I think in terms of time outside, not miles. I try to ride enough to keep the kinks out, and from
putting on too much poundage in the winter.

ltxi

First, wow...80 pounds is a lot and congratulations! Next bit...I'm now 73. I dropped 42 pounds pounds Jan-Nov 2014. 242 to a just gotta get there 199 and have kept it off. I'd never been cold susceptible and am still not. Nor dry heat for that matter. If you're getting regular doc checkups I'd just live with and keep an eye on the issue....if not get a physical/checked out soonest.

osco53

Dress warmer,, wool maybe, wear long underwear, workout tights are comfy for me, like a second skin.
Hydrate correctly,
Get a humidifier, The dry heat indoors can zap you.

Get an Indoor trainer set up, or a fat bike,

Ride !

rossiny

congrats on you getting back in shape . good inspiration , I had always been cut up but got a little belly now. spring is around the corner.

bbbean 

I went from 325 to 165. I was FREEZING from 225 or so on down. I'm fine in the cold as long as I'm active, but still get cold if I stand still. My wife assures me this is just life for people of normal size and weight.

1989Pre 

How much physical endurance exercise have you been (or are you) involved in?
I went into a period of over-training (in running) when I was 51, and en-
countered adrenal fatigue as my body's temperature-regulation apparatus
(the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis) basically shut down.
Do you sweat under slight exertion? Are you monitoring your core temp?
Even regardless of the exercise factor, the stresses you put on your adrenals by 1.) eliminating that much weight and 2.) the detoxification and elimination of toxins that were previously stored in the fat, could be considerable. Also, the body may have interpreted the accelerated and somewhat sudden weight loss as an emergency situation (running out of food, preparation for armed conflict, etc), therefore engaging the fight-or-flight response of the adrenals. When the adrenals are hit in one extreme blow or repeatedly by chronic stress of any kind, they can be subject to depletion, which is when the chills, low core temp starts.

1989Pre 

Endocrinologists are not the best people to talk to about thyroid or any other suspected endocrine imbalances. If your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is over 2.00, then your thyroid is under-active and is being jolted with abnormal amounts of stimulation.
Make sure your provider not only tests for TSH, but for Free T4, Free T3,thyroid antibodies and ferretin and iron. This will help present a more-complete picture.
https://www.functionalmedicine.org/p...ch.aspx?id=117

Velocivixen

I did not say what type of MD checked my labs and Indid say everything is normal. Was simply trying to relate my own experience to what was initially asked. Thanks.

BlazingPedals

Strictly as a layman, I'd say it's possible that your metabolism is low, which is why you were 268 in the first place. Losing weight (insulation) would just make it more obvious to you. A trip to the doc might be in order, although the diagnosis might be that you need to be more active in order to raise it to where it belongs.

fietsbob

It is not that cold Here in the winter , the clear skies do let it cool off faster than Overcast ones