Aretha Franklin: I'm Not Only Going to Maintain My Weight, But Better It

Aretha Franklin says she will continue to drop weight following her December surgery for an undisclosed ailment.

"I want to not only maintain the weight I am at now, but better it, by one dress size," the singer told The Associated Press. She hopes to get down to size 16.

Aretha Franklin says her medical problems are resolved

Franklin was noticeably slimmer during her recent Grammy satellite appearance and says that since undergoing surgery she's given up chitterlings, pigs' feet and ham hocks.

"I had it for enough years that I don't miss it. You can't continue to eat things that are not good for you," she said.

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson part of all-star Grammy tribute to Aretha Franklin

Franklin has also been working out and walking on a track three times a week.

The Queen of Soul, who canceled all performances since her illness, plans to return to the stage May 28. She'll release her latest album, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love, the first week of May.

"It's definitely going to take the boomers back ... but it's also contemporary with respect to other writers and production," she told the AP.