higher indoor winter temps may be contributing to obesity

[hunybee]

these are a few articles about how our increasing indooor winter temp may be contributing to the obesity problem. it gives a basic understanding of brown fat and how higher temp central heating may be impacting us in a possible negative way. also, the last artivle talks about the energy savings that can be accomplished be lowing the indoor temp in the winter even a little bit.

remember, if you have it lower, it makes your body work more to keepyou warm, and it uses less money. it can be kept quite low and people wil still be fine. 30-40 years ago, the indoor temps in winter were much lower. some may be shocked at just how low. our indoor temp in winter during the day is 60 degrees. it drops to about 58-59 at night and upstairs is a little cooler. if you do decide to do this, DO NOT drop it fast. that will be hard on your body. start with a 2 degree drop every 2-3 days. your body will get used to it and your pocket book will be fuller too


http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0...making-us-fat/


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0124195618.htm


http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/...underwear.html

[MinnesotaSmith]

Was about 12 years ago, to be precise.
Judging by items freezing, only within 8' of the woodstove was the air temperature commonly above freezing during the night. Sleeping locations were ~16-24' away, with closed doors. Going by clothing/bedding used, and knowing the outside air temps were getting as low as -25F some nights, the air temperature in sleeping areas unquestionably went well below zero many nights. Ages of residents during the coldest times ranged from 15 to 48. (An infant under 6 months was there some, but a propane heater was used during his visits.)

Results: no one died or even got sick much if any. I was doing lots of exercise (walking and gathering/processing firewood), and got in great physical shape.

[hunybee]

yup MS, where i grew up it was more .....rustic than what we have now. we are more rustic now than what lots of people like, but now we have central heat as well as the wood stove. the temps are in the range now to start the wood stove up, but then the furnace only gets put on enough so the pipes don't freeze.


we do have little kids, and they have warm clothes, but they usually get stripped off be cause they are "hot" in the 60 degree house LOL

and you are right. there is a lot of physical activity here, both out of necessity of daily function and out of keeping warm.

[chicom]

I sleep with the window wide open in wintertime.

[mrobert]

Chi, I remember seeing a picture that you had posted of the wood you had cut for winter.....chords and chords of wood....great exercise

[chicom]

Cut about 40 cords this year for myself and neighbors.