Category Archives: Fitness and Health

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Today I am tracking my calories and protein intake

I am wondering if keeping track of my meals on my site will hold me more accountable to look the best I can naturally at 58 years old. Well this is my first post with todays meals.

A breakfast spread featuring a white bowl filled with 1 cup of creamy cottage cheese topped with scattered walnut pieces, dried cranberries, and a drizzle of golden honey; a colorful cereal bowl containing Honey Nut Cheerios submerged in whole milk; and a steaming mug of black coffee lightened with a splash of milk and sweetened with a touch of honey, all arranged on a simple wooden table.

Breakfast

1. A Cup of Cottage Cheese with Walnuts, Cranberries, and Honey

  • Cottage Cheese (1 cup):
    • Assuming full-fat cottage cheese (4% fat), 1 cup (about 225g) = 220 calories and 25 grams of protein.
  • Walnuts:
    • Assuming 1 ounce (about 14 halves or 28g), a common add-in = 185 calories and 4.3 grams of protein.
  • Dried Cranberries:
    • Assuming 1/4 cup (about 30g), a typical topping = 123 calories and 0.1 grams of protein.
  • Honey:
    • Assuming 1 tablespoon (21g), a standard drizzle = 64 calories and 0 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 220 + 185 + 123 + 64 = 592 calories.
  • Protein: 25 + 4.3 + 0.1 + 0 = 29.4 grams of protein.

2. A Bowl of Honey Cheerios with Whole Milk

  • Honey Nut Cheerios:
    • Assuming a standard “bowl” is 1.5 cups (about 54g, based on typical serving size) = 202 calories and 4.5 grams of protein.
  • Whole Milk:
    • Assuming 1 cup (240ml), a common amount for a bowl of cereal = 150 calories and 8 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 202 + 150 = 352 calories.
  • Protein: 4.5 + 8 = 12.5 grams of protein.

3. Coffee with Milk and Honey

  • Black Coffee:
    • Negligible calories and protein (about 2 calories, 0g protein per cup).
  • Whole Milk:
    • Assuming 2 tablespoons (30ml), a typical splash = 19 calories and 1 gram of protein.
  • Honey:
    • Assuming 1 teaspoon (7g), a common coffee sweetener = 21 calories and 0 grams of protein.

Subtotal:

  • Calories: 2 + 19 + 21 = 42 calories.
  • Protein: 0 + 1 + 0 = 1 gram of protein.

Grand Total

  • Calories: 592 (cottage cheese mix) + 352 (Cheerios) + 42 (coffee) = 986 calories.
  • Protein: 29.4 (cottage cheese mix) + 12.5 (Cheerios) + 1 (coffee) = 42.9 grams of protein.

Lunch

A simple lunch plate featuring 1.5 cups of steamed mixed vegetables, including vibrant green broccoli, sliced orange carrots, and bright green peas, arranged neatly with no added fat; alongside a 3-ounce portion of tender, lean pork loin, cooked without additional fats, served on a plain white dish against a minimalist background.

Steamed Vegetables (1.5 cups)

  • Assumption: A mix of steamed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, peas) with no added fat.
  • Calories: Approximately 35 calories per cup (based on general steamed mixed vegetables).
    • 1.5 cups = 1.5 × 35 = 52.5 calories.
  • Protein: Approximately 2.4 grams per cup.
    • 1.5 cups = 1.5 × 2.4 = 3.6 grams of protein.

Pork (unspecified amount)

  • Assumption: Since no quantity is given, I’ll assume a typical serving size of 3 ounces (85 grams) of cooked lean pork loin, which is a common portion to pair with vegetables.
  • Calories: Approximately 200 calories for 3 ounces of steamed or cooked lean pork loin (no added fat).
  • Protein: Approximately 25 grams for 3 ounces.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 52.5 (vegetables) + 200 (pork) = 252.5 calories.
  • Protein: 3.6 (vegetables) + 25 (pork) = 28.6 grams of protein.

Snack

This is my protein drink which whole milk, peanut butter and a banana.

1. Whole Milk (10 oz)

  • Volume Conversion: 10 oz of whole milk is approximately 1.25 cups (since 8 oz = 1 cup).
  • Calories: Whole milk has about 150 calories per cup.
    • 1.25 cups × 150 calories = 187.5 calories.
  • Protein: Whole milk has about 8 grams of protein per cup.
    • 1.25 cups × 8 grams = 10 grams of protein.

2. Peanut Butter (2 tablespoons)

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons of peanut butter is about 32 grams (standard for most brands).
  • Calories: Peanut butter (smooth, unsalted) has about 190 calories for 2 tablespoons.
    • 190 calories.
  • Protein: Peanut butter has about 8 grams of protein for 2 tablespoons.
    • 8 grams of protein.

3. Banana (1 medium)

  • Assumption: A medium banana weighs about 120 grams (a typical size, 7-8 inches long).
  • Calories: A medium banana has about 90 calories.
    • 90 calories.
  • Protein: A medium banana has about 1.1 grams of protein.
    • 1.1 grams of protein.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 187.5 (whole milk) + 190 (peanut butter) + 90 (banana) = 467.5 calories.
  • Protein: 10 (whole milk) + 8 (peanut butter) + 1.1 (banana) = 19.1 grams of protein.

Dinner

Dinner

1. Cooked Lentils

  • Assumption: About 1/2 cup of cooked lentils (approximately 100 grams), as estimated from the image.
  • Calories: 115 calories per 1/2 cup.
    • 115 calories.
  • Protein: 9 grams per 1/2 cup.
    • 9 grams of protein.

2. Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sauce

  • Assumption: About 1 cup of cooked whole wheat spaghetti (approximately 140 grams) with a light tomato-based sauce, around 1/4 cup (60 grams).
  • Whole Wheat Spaghetti:
    • Calories: Cooked whole wheat spaghetti has about 125 calories per cup (slightly fewer than regular spaghetti due to higher fiber content).
      • 125 calories.
    • Protein: Whole wheat spaghetti has about 7 grams of protein per cup (higher than regular spaghetti due to the whole grain).
      • 7 grams of protein.
  • Tomato Sauce:
    • Calories: A basic tomato sauce has about 20 calories per 1/4 cup (no added oil or cheese assumed).
      • 20 calories.
    • Protein: Tomato sauce has about 0.5 grams of protein per 1/4 cup.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Subtotal for Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Sauce:
    • Calories: 125 + 20 = 145 calories.
    • Protein: 7 + 0.5 = 7.5 grams of protein.

3. Pork Chops

  • Assumption: The pork chops look like about 3 ounces (85 grams) of cooked lean pork chop, a common portion size. I’ll assume they’re grilled or pan-cooked with minimal added fat, as no heavy sauce or breading is visible.
  • Calories: A 3-ounce lean pork chop (trimmed of visible fat) has about 200 calories.
    • 200 calories.
  • Protein: A 3-ounce lean pork chop has about 25 grams of protein.
    • 25 grams of protein.

4. Side Salad (Lettuce, Cucumber, Tomato)

  • Assumption: 1 cup of lettuce (30 grams), 1/2 a medium cucumber (100 grams), and 1/2 a medium tomato (90 grams), with no dressing.
  • Lettuce:
    • Calories: 5 calories per 1 cup.
      • 5 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 grams per 1 cup.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Cucumber:
    • Calories: 8 calories per 1/2 medium cucumber.
      • 8 calories.
    • Protein: 0.3 grams per 1/2 medium cucumber.
      • 0.3 grams of protein.
  • Tomato:
    • Calories: 11 calories per 1/2 medium tomato.
      • 11 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 grams per 1/2 medium tomato.
      • 0.5 grams of protein.
  • Subtotal for Salad:
    • Calories: 5 + 8 + 11 = 24 calories.
    • Protein: 0.5 + 0.3 + 0.5 = 1.3 grams of protein.

Total Estimate

  • Calories: 115 (lentils) + 145 (whole wheat spaghetti with sauce) + 200 (pork chops) + 24 (salad) = 484 calories.
  • Protein: 9 (lentils) + 7.5 (spaghetti with sauce) + 25 (pork chops) + 1.3 (salad) = 42.8 grams of protein.

Last snack

Greek Yogurt with walnuts, cranberries and honey

Ingredients:

  • Greek yogurt (1 cup, plain, non-fat): 100 calories, 17g protein
  • Walnuts (1/2 oz / ~7 halves): 92 calories, 2g protein
  • Dried cranberries (2 tbsp): 50 calories, 0g protein
  • Honey (1 tbsp): 64 calories, 0g protein

Total:

  • Calories: 306
  • Protein: 19g
Curtis Matthews

High rep or Heavy training

56 Years Strong: Muscle Confusion and Crushing Leg Day (400lb Leg Press!)

Man, 56 and still pushing limits! Gotta love the feeling of proving people wrong. 40+ years in the gym and I’m still finding new ways to shock my muscles and keep them growing. Forget the typical routines, I’m all about mixing it up – heavy weights, high reps, you name it. Last week? 1000 air squats had my legs screaming (in a good way!). This week? 400 pounds for 100 reps on the leg press! Talk about muscle confusion! It’s not just cross-training, it’s an art form.

400lbs 100 reps

Speaking of art, check out the video of that leg press challenge. Pretty epic, right? Just a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to pushing yourself. But hey, it’s not all about the numbers. Consistency, clean eating, and that mind-muscle connection – those are my secrets. Gotta feel the workout, you know?

And speaking of clean, did I mention I’m 100% natural? That’s right, no shortcuts, just hard work and dedication. Turning 57 in a couple of weeks, and I wouldn’t feel stronger or more alive. This ain’t just about aesthetics, it’s about proving that anything is possible with the right mindset and approach.

So, here’s to defying expectations, embracing challenges, and proving that age and even genetics are just hurdles, not roadblocks. Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep inspiring! Natural and never slowing down – that’s my motto!

Push up challenge day 21

🏋️‍♂️ Update on my push-up challenge: I’ve completed a total of 3725 push-ups as of Day 20! 💪 However, my left elbow, which was already injured before the challenge, acted up last night, causing some discomfort. Despite this setback, I’m determined not to give up. To ensure proper recovery, I’ve decided to modify my routine and focus on the minimum requirement of 100 push-ups per day. It’s all about adapting and staying committed! 💯

To donate to the St. Jude’s Push-up Fundraiser go to my Facebook donation page here.

https://youtu.be/i6LrHmUXhl4
77 Push-Ups then 12 and 13 to reach the 100 goal
Making my protein shake during the push-up challenge
My Chest and Shoulders are feeling these push-ups
My chest and shoulders feel these push-ups m

Day 22

🚀 Day 22 of St. Jude’s push-up fundraiser! 💪 $199 raised. 4255 push-ups completed! Let’s make a difference! 🙏💙

St. Jude’s Fundraiser

Day 15 of the Push-Up Challenge

Starting the day with 3130 push-ups done! Since I reached my goal of 3000 push-ups in just 15 days, I’m now shifting my focus to quality over quantity. I’ll still do a minimum of 100 push-ups per day, but I’ll also incorporate other exercises into my routine.

Push-up challenge day 15
Push-up challenge day 15

The Exercise Mix

In addition to push-ups, I’ll be including sit-ups every day, matching the number of push-ups. I believe in a well-rounded workout, so I’ll also incorporate a leg exercise that corresponds to the number of push-ups. To begin, I’m adding dumbbell squats for a great lower body workout.

Join Me in Making a Difference

I’m excited to continue this journey and make an even greater impact for St. Jude’s. Your support means everything, so please consider donating and sharing my progress. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children. Let’s keep pushing forward! 💪🏼💙

Please go to my Facebook donation page for St. Jude’s and donate

Curtis Matthews
Curtis Matthews day fifteen
Pictures of some of the food I ate the last few days

Tracking food intake

Exciting update for the next 15 days of the push-up challenge! Alongside my fitness journey, I’ll be taking you on a visual tour of my food intake. Join me as I capture and share mouthwatering pictures of my daily meals, snacks, and culinary adventures. Let’s explore the intersection of fitness and food, and perhaps discover some new healthy and delicious options together. Stay tuned for a feast for the eyes! 📸🍽️