I am definitely much colder than I used to be - I have real issues with the refrigerated aisle at the grocery store and overly air conditioned movie theatres! I keep sweaters in my car all the time and a blanket in my office.

I definitely noticed a big difference in how cold I was when I initially lost weight. Actually, everyone noticed because they were always yelling at me for turning the heat up in the car! I also have noticed a direct correllation between quantity of food intake and coldness. The more I eat, the less I am cold. This was not an intentional experiment! When I do not overeat, I am pretty much always colder than the people around me. So I think the feeling relates to both a loss of fat insulation and the various things happening metabolically.

Here's another one-liner to add to your chat: What are you thankful for today? I'm thankful for Splenda and tea. I have such a sweet tooth and this is a great treat!

Lindy

Cold here, too, and have been since I lost the weight. It doesn't help things that I live in Idaho. Had to invest in lots of Cuddle Duds (thermals).

I'm thankful for how strong I feel when I carry in groceries or when I carry my sleeping 6-year-old up the stairs.

I am freezing too. I can't seem to stay warm. I keep wearing DH's thermal underwear under my clothes.

Everyone please send up prayers for me and my DD. I am taking her to be evaluated for mental health in-patient vs. out-patient treatment at 5PM today. I found a very disturbing letter that she'd left last night in the middle of her bedroom floor. She is at school right now. I'm very worried about her. I called the counseling center and they said it sounds like a "cry for help". After reading the letter to them, they asked me to bring extra clothes for her because "she'll probably be admitted". She is only 14 and has been seeming withdrawn and never happy about anything. I hope and pray that they can help us.

Gosh Lily, you don't seem to be able to catch a break.

Lily ... at least you found the cry for help now, before things got any worse. Being a teenager is so hard! Take care of yourself and let us know if we can help. You and DD will be all our thoughts and prayers.

You are such a good momma for seeing and acting on this. I will be thinking of you both.

Lily, I went through a similar problem with my DD 4 years ago. While she didn't end up needing any care, her cry for help was certainly an eye opener. It is true that it is difficult being a teen. I remember coming home from school and just going to bed and crying for hours and not being able to put into words why I was crying. My DD wasn't like that, but she had some troubles and her only way to express them to us was by letter. I still have the letter and read it from time to time to make sure I'm not missing anything. I'll pray for the two of you.

Lily-I'll be praying for you and your dd. You are such a good mom for being alert to her unhappiness.

I found the cold thing got better after about a year at my new weight. Tucson summers help too. Where is that sun??

Anne

I was cold last year at this weight (7 layers, about 3 vests, T-shirts and 2 jumpers...) However unless the weather's warmer this year I seem to be managing ok, which is surprising me! Today I have a vest, a T-shirt and a hoodie/zippy jacket thing on.

Lilly I'm glad you're taking care of your daughter, I had rough teenage years too, but I feel like it made me stronger and more able to cope with things since I decided that I wouldn't ever feel like that again. If anything rubbish happens I try to look on the bright side, people's words roll off my back, I tend to allow myself to feel sad but realise it's not the end of the world and nothing's worth hurting myself over. Sorry, didn't mean to go into so much depth, but I was thinking about this yesterday riding home. Anyway, glad you're helping her.

Thanks guys, I was beginning to think I was sick. I'll just keep bundling up until July. Ninety five degree heat and humidity will cure me, LOL.

paperclippy, some gyms do their specials before the new year. Mine does theirs in November and December. (In fact, this week was my one year gym anniversary )

Hello to all. I haven't checked in this month until today, and it is reassuring to see all of you going through the same things I am. Yes, I'm cold. Yes, I've had nibbles and tastes because I figure I can afford it and I'm on maintenance. But, the fact is, even if my goal is maintenance, I need healthy food, not junk.

Exercise has stayed on track, even fun. I'm getting close to my lifting goals, but I think my form is compromised a bit, so I'm dropping the weight to concentrate on form. I'm running and swimming, too. I miss racing. The only winter races around here are on holidays, and I'm busy on holidays! But it is probably better for my body not to concentrate on speed all the time. I'm keeping my aerobic base through the winter, and will concentrate on speed again in the spring.

I'm not too well, today. I had a little procedure at my OB/GYN yesterday and had a poor reaction. I passed out, and, let's just say, my morning's nutrition was "interrupted". I'm weak, still, today. So I'm taking it easy.

Lilybelle, my father recently showed me a letter that I wrote when I was a teenager. I'm sure it was frightening for him. I do remember being a lonely kid when I wrote it, and I was kind of playing with expressing those emotions. But I wasn't in danger. I'm not saying that your daughter is or isn't. But that you should have hope that she will come through this. Prayers to you both.

As of this morning I'm only two pounds above the top of my maintenance weight. I'm getting really close to that 'line in the sand' number. I'm so excited about this, and I'm really working hard to get myself back to maintenance as my Christmas present to myself. Then I can delete the stupid ticker--I'm tired of looking at it, so I guess it is doing it's job as a motivator.

I'm also wearing, no kidding, my pre-preggo work pants. And they look decent. I still have a few pairs that were on the smaller side back then, that I'm not quite ready for yet, but I'm calling it--I'm officially back in my wardrobe.

Big lesson learned for me: there is no need to gain 60 lbs during pregnancy. My one year old DD and I now weigh 30 lbs less combined than my high pregnancy weight. If I do this again, I'm going to try a lot harder to watch it.

Lily, I just don't know what to say. How many things can happen to a person. I am amazed at your strength.

Anne