Sitting in the orthodontist's office this morning waiting for my daughter to have her braces tightened, I picked up a copy of "Good Housekeeping" that had a weight loss article featured on the cover. I thought I would see if there was anything remotely related to the Blood Type Diet. Unfortunately it was the usual confused mixture of low-fat, low-carb, count calories advice that is doomed to failure.

However I did learn something. They quoted a study that said "women lose muscle mass at a rate of roughly one-third to one-half a pound each year after age 35. I certainly watched that happen to me, and it is one of the things I have had success changing with the Type O diet.

My husband and I are both very active, and have always exercised year round. We ran together until he had back surgery (the same year our 19-year-old son was born). After that we walked briskly or swam 4-6 days a week. Nevertheless, I watched my leg muscles gradually go soft. I wasn't over weight - I was well within the guidelines for my height. But, last spring when I tensed my legs, I could see no visible change. Disgusting!

Before the Blood Type Diet, I always felt a little guilty that I wanted more protein, especially more meat. This year I have enjoyed eating beneficial meats. I have also begun to vary my exercise. I continue to swim and walk, but I also run, bike, and work with weights. When I tense my legs now, there is muscle definition. Delightful!

The article went on to say that, "Women need not fear bulking up. Working out with ‘moderately challenging' weight (a weight that makes you feel fatigued after eight to 10 repetitions) will increase lean muscle mass, which burns calories even when the body is at rest."

I can see that the weights I am using are no longer heavy enough. When I started I could barely do 5 repetitions. Now I do 15 - 20 without fatigue. I've got to look into new weights. Having come this far, I certainly don't want to start losing muscle again.