When I first started reading last summer about Living Right for my Type, one of the things that rang true was that Type Os thrive on aerobic exercise. I am lousy at team sports and always have been, but I love to run and swim and hike. I'm not saying that it's always easy to start running on a hot day or to jump into the water on a cold day, but once I get going and my heart gets pumping; I feel energized.

My primary reason for starting the BTD was heartburn. The second thing that attracted me was the idea of improving my muscle tone. I was happy enough with my weight, but I was dismayed at how my muscles had softened between my 40th and 50th birthdays. Relief from heartburn was almost immediate. Rebuilding my muscles has been slower, but I am making steady progress.

My very athletic son suggested that I vary my exercise rather than doing the same thing every day. So one day I run, one day I swim, one day I ride my bicycle and one day I power walk. He also said I should do some weight work. I was skeptical.

But I kept coming across articles that said women my age needed to do weight work, not only for muscle tone, but also to prevent bone loss. OK, OK, I can take a hint. I committed myself to do weight work two days a week.

Last night I worked out with weights in the living room. There is a noticeable difference in the strength of my arms since I started. I am improving and can do more repetitions than I could at first. So I know it's effective, but I hate it. At the end of my work out last night I felt tired and blah.

The weather today is gorgeous. After I finish typing this blog, I'm going for a bike ride. When I get home I will be tired and energized.