Just found this thread.

Martin why do you say this? I am in school for a fitness degree and it seems clear to me from the physio texts that muscle comes and goes according to the demand for it. If your movement doesn't demand it, the body lets it go, and if you do, the body puts it on.

So if a person never does anything but walk very slowly or sit, I can see why the body would minimize the muscle. This describes an 84 yo friend of mine who is wondering why with her hour walk a day, she is feeling like she's losing fitness. The walking idea she got from her doctor (rolls eyes)

This is separate from losing muscle mass because one's diet is so high in carbs that muscle has to be used for nutrition.

I agree with you too about the muscle tone.

I have liked the "Power of 10" home workout - it's a twice a week, 20 minute Slow Burn type thing and can be done at home.

Or look at Mark Sisson's blog on the topic of "lift heavy things."

Or At Stumptuous.com, trainer Krista Scott-Dixon has some free strength workouts.

And er.... because you have to push it just a little, I wouldn't call it easy, but straightforward and quick, yes.

The maintenance of muscle mass is merely a form of homeostasis. If there's enough fuel coming in to feed all the cells, and all their processes, then there is no reason to destroy muscle mass.

Maybe the OP lost tone (bulk) but not strength? If the OP was on a high carb diet then cut out/down the carbs, it's almost inevitable that she will lose muscle bulk. If you've ever eaten a marbled steak, then you know how it's possible to lose bulk yet retain all the functional muscle mass. Humans can also have marbled muscles.

I sort of agree. You mentioned enough fuel to feed the muscle, and I would add enough eustress to let it know it's still needed.