A personal trainer and mother who shed an impressive 71 pounds has opened up about a surprising and uncomfortable side effect of her transformation that she claims no one ever warned her about.
The Chilling Reality of Major Weight Loss
Julia, a fitness expert specialising in postpartum weight loss and muscle building, shared her experience with her 674,000 Instagram followers. In a recent reel, she appeared smiling before the camera, then raised her arms in mock shock. Overlay text on the video stated: 'Nobody warned me this would happen after weight loss...'
In the caption, posted on 14 January 2026, Julia elaborated: "I genuinely didn’t realise this would happen. After losing 71lbs I’m so freaking cold to the point I’m uncomfortable. I have to wear layers. Anyone else going through this?"
Her post quickly resonated, amassing over 1,700 likes as hundreds flocked to the comments to share their own experiences of feeling perpetually chilly after slimming down.
Why Losing Weight Can Leave You Feeling Frozen
The phenomenon of feeling colder after significant weight loss is not uncommon and is rooted in several key physiological changes.
Loss of Insulation: Body fat, particularly subcutaneous fat, acts as a natural insulator. Reducing this layer diminishes your body's ability to retain heat effectively.
Lower Metabolic Rate: Weight loss often leads to a decrease in your basal metabolic rate (BMR). This means your body produces less heat while at rest, making you feel cooler, especially during sedentary periods.
Hormonal Shifts: Calorie restriction can impact hormone levels, including leptin and thyroid hormones, which play crucial roles in regulating body temperature and heat production.
Reduced Blood Flow: As the body conserves energy, it may prioritise sending blood to vital internal organs over the skin's surface, leading to colder extremities like hands and feet.
Muscle Mass Reduction: If muscle is lost alongside fat, the body's heat production drops further, as muscle tissue is metabolically active and generates warmth.
Community Response and When to Seek Advice
Julia's followers were quick to empathise. One commenter simply wrote "Same," while another admitted, "Oh my God, my heater is on right now." A third added: "Yes and I miss my warmth lol," and a fourth had a revelation: "Ohhh that’s what that is??? I had no idea this was a thing but it makes SO much sense!"
While feeling a bit colder is a normal adaptation, experts advise consulting a GP if the cold intolerance is extreme or accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Persistent fatigue
- Unexplained hair loss
- Brain fog
- Signs of anaemia or thyroid dysfunction
These symptoms are not directly caused by weight loss itself but can sometimes be unmasked or exacerbated during the process.
Practical Tips to Combat the Chill
For those experiencing this chilly side effect, several strategies can help manage the discomfort:
Prioritise Protein and Strength Training: Maintaining or building muscle mass through resistance training helps sustain your metabolic rate and natural heat production.
Avoid Severe Calorie Deficits: Ensure your diet provides adequate energy, especially during prolonged weight loss phases.
Dress in Layers: This simple advice allows for easy temperature regulation throughout the day.
Utilise Warm Beverages and Movement: A hot drink can provide internal warmth, and light physical activity generates body heat more effectively than many people realise.
Julia's candid revelation has sparked a wider conversation, reminding anyone on a weight loss journey that the changes extend beyond the scale, affecting even your perception of a chilly British day.
