feeling just warmer in body

[ny biker]

I know some older (menopausal) women who are always warm, never wear sweaters in winter and are comfortable in over-air-conditioned buildings in summer. I'm generally colder overall now than I used to be, especially my extremities. Ten years ago I would be comfortable in lightweight tights when cycling in cool weather but now I need heavier tights and booties or toe covers in the same conditions. As he's gotten older, my 81-year-old father feels the cold more than most people, and his mother was the same way. I seem to be headed down the same path. But at the same time, I was extremely uncomfortable working out at my gym this winter because it felt way overheated to me, to the point where I started using the small fitness center at my office instead, while no one else at my gym seemed the least bit uncomfortable. And I've always had more problems cycling in the hot summer sun than my friends -- I'm always the one who needs to stop in the shade to cool down.

So I guess there's no clear pattern for me, at least not yet.

[Sky King]

ahh the joys of aging... My temperature threshold is really narrow now - both cold and heat bother me. Below 68 I am cold, above 80 I am hot - I do a lot of layering When biking and if I am "hot" I wear a wet bandanna around my neck -works for me. of course going to a dresser event that would raise some eyebrows... Love the hot flash expression "please excuse me while I have my own private summer"

[emily_in_nc]

ahh the joys of aging... My temperature threshold is really narrow now - both cold and heat bother me. Below 68 I am cold, above 80 I am hot - I do a lot of layering When biking and if I am "hot" I wear a wet bandanna around my neck -works for me. of course going to a dresser event that would raise some eyebrows... Love the hot flash expression "please excuse me while I have my own private summer"

This is totally me now too. I call it my "comfort zone", and it seems to have narrowed considerably since menopause. It is frustrating as so many places we go are either too hot or too chilly for me to be really comfortable. My DH does better at anything above 70 and doesn't get why I am so hot when it's above 80.

[Catrin]

These days I tolerate heat MUCH better than I once did and am COLD in the winter time. I literally can't get my apartment warm enough in the winter - and if I didn't need to sleep in darkness I could open my apartment winds to allow a nice cross-breeze for any temps < 80 and sleep well (bedroom window looks over the lit parking lot). As far as outdoor activities are concerned, hiking at 87 or 90 degrees is PERFECT! I'm like that purring cat stretched out in the hot sunshine

[shootingstar]

All of this and more is just interesting reading!

Several things here:
My body has acclimatized to different CAnadian regions. Right now the prairies, it's much drier, colder than Ontario or southern coastal British Columbia where there's generally more humidity in the air and where I used to live and bike for many years.

I believe over the past decade, my tolerance to cold temperatures, has increased. My tolerance for heat, especially humid heat (ie. humidex over 75%) has dropped alot. 7 years ago , I loved Hawai'i but didn't truly "enjoy" tropical heat..and they get Pacific ocean winds. My partner often wears at least double the top body layers, compared to myself.

I love cycling in 0-15 degrees C in winter/early spring/fall where I live. As long it's very light breeze or none at all! In our part of the world, we can get drastic strong wind for a few hrs. because it comes off the Rocky Mountains.
It's drier temp. I often wear long sleeve jersey, light fleecy and medium weight cycling jacket. As it gets warmer, would wear a light fleecy vest instead of long sleeved fleecy under cycling jacket. If it does get warmer during day, short sleeved jersey instead of long sleeved jersey works for me for those temperature ranges. I haven't yet "hardened" my cycling legs yet this spring, since we had some snowflakes today!

Our winters do annually drop as low as -25 to -35 degrees C for several days.

I don't mind the annoying heat engine inside me for exercise activities. It's more when I wear dressy lovely clothing..off bike...

Good to know that hot pee after short bout of exercise can..um normal for certain age brackets.
I also seem to need a tiny energy snack or similar for bike trips shorter than ie. 15 years ago. Or maybe my stomache has become like Pavolov's dog..primed to eat sooner.

[emily_in_nc]

As far as outdoor activities are concerned, hiking at 87 or 90 degrees is PERFECT! I'm like that purring cat stretched out in the hot sunshine

LOL...you sound like my DH. I would totally wilt!

[Crankin]

Yup, my DH is like that, too. I hate riding in heat, although I am better at it now than in the past, if I have time to acclimate. Hiking in the heat does not bother me as much.

[Skierchickie2]

I just want to thank you all for this thread. Very timely for me. I haven't been to the doctor yet, but just passed the 1-year point last week. The hot flashes are killing me. I've always hated heat and humidity, plus have a history of panic attacks, so this is not fun. It's too soon to be able to tell how my ideal comfort zones may be changing. So far I haven't noticed anything connected with exercise (aside from noticing that I HAVEN'T noticed any hot flashes during exercise). I'm afraid of what summer will be like, though. Especially because I'm planning to do a marathon in September. For me, biking has always been fine in hot weather, but running is another story.