These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Monday, January 14, 2013

Weather and comfort

My body is changing. I wish I could say that means I'm losing some girth, but no. It's much different.

When I was young, I was cold all the time. I could tolerate very high temperatures, but not low ones. I was very thin, so it makes sense. I had no padding, no insulation. My tolerance ran from about 55° upward for any feasible comfort. And honestly, 55° was with a coat, etc.

Then in my 40s, I gained some weight, nothing severe, but I was still about the same on temperatures. I was tolerating cooler temps, but not a huge change.

By the early 1990s, I was hitting 50, and my weight was leaping and bounding. Part of it came from my husband's good, but very rich, cooking. Part of it likely came from a growing depression. Whatever reason, I was packing it on! And with that weight, my tolerance for hot weather was down to almost nothing by the time  the new century began. The combination of heat and humidity in the Midwest was wiping me out. I didn't have any problems with cold. I could go out with just a sweatshirt when the temperatures were around 40° and I was quite comfortable for 10-15 minutes. However, over 80-85° was intolerable. Returning to gentle-weathered New Mexico was my dream!

The winter low temperatures here are generally pretty mild. We don't often get single digit lows, or if we do, it lasts just a few short days. When the temps are low, I haven't had any problems, until this year. I'm finding that repeated temps below freezing are not fun. My legs, from the knee down, feel "edgy." It's like I'm on the edge of being uncomfortable all the time. I'm wearing high, heavy socks, and I've resorted to  long johns, yet I'm still uncomfortable. Rooms that I used to keep at 65-68° for comfort now feel too cold, even wearing sweats, sweaters, etc. My thermostat is creeping up and up. My comfort range now is between about 68° and 75°. Not much leeway!!

I'm hoping there is a metabolic shift going on that will gradually lead to weight loss. I don't know. My lab results are always good, so nothing seems to point to a reason for this.  Maybe I'm just getting old.

Yeah, that's it. I'm old.

Yike!

16 comments:

  1. I, too, went through that temp change. Hubby has gone the opposite.
    Now he is the one piling heavy blankets on at night and I am kicking
    them off. Hope the edgy feelings abate!
    --
    Blogging at www.retirementdaze.com

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    1. I remember my parents doing that reversal, sorta waving at each other as they switched places!

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  2. I am46 and I have gone from loving hot weather to not being able to bear it! I lke the cold weather now.

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  3. Chinese medicine says it has something to dowith our yin and yang...

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    1. I was thinking I needed to look it up, but wasn't sure where to start. Thanks!

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  4. I've never been good with heat but it's gotten worse as I've gotten older. I'm still fine with cold. Here in Tucson it's in the upper 30s and I'm wearing sandals with not too much discomfort. Until the last 8 or 9 years I always ran warm. Now, not so much.

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    1. Well, I've obviously been all over the thermometer, but I'm puzzled by all this now. Goofy!

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  5. I'm walking right by ya'!!! This cold snap even for a Snowbird is getting the better of me~!!!

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    1. It has sounded as if you should have gone to Georgia or South Carolina. My friends there have been enjoying open-window weather!

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  6. I have been through mild winters and now has temperature problems. But if the weather gets too cold, I get chilled tothe bone and cannot move. If the summer is too hot I have little energy as well. It is the extremems that challenge me at either end.

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  7. It is funny how our body temperature tolerances change over the years! I love winter weather but my body hates it. I can feel when a front is coming through and my feet are always cold, even in the summer I'm wearing slippers, LOL!! That's how I got the Hot Booties for Christmas, such a treat for me.
    I try to keep the heat down and bundle up where my husband dresses for summer and cranks the heat, I hate that!! But as he puts it "I pay the bill." so I guess he doesn't mind when it's too high!!
    I have noticed that I get much colder then when I was younger. I think we're all different as we go through stages in our lives. The one thing I can't tolerate well is the extreme heat here. That's when I just stay inside with the A.C. on. I guess it's all an individual thing. Love Di ♥

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    1. I have a friend whose husband cranks the a/c in the summer, then wears sweats in the house. In winter, he puts on shorts and heats the house to unbearable!

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  8. I don't do well with heat or cold. I like the house very cool at night, not above 65. During the day, I like the house around 70 or 72. I wear a fleece vest around the vest on cool days. I would love to have my thermostat become a little more stable, but it doesn't seem to happen.

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    1. RET, I'm afraid it is probably not going to be more stable for either of us. At least we can be "partners in crime, er, climate"!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!