Category Archives: food

Welcome to the delectable world of food! In this category, I share my passion for all things culinary. From restaurant reviews to mouthwatering recipes, join me on a flavorful journey. Discover tantalizing dishes, cooking tips, and the art of savoring every bite. Let’s indulge in the incredible world of food together!

Selfie of a 58-year-old man with a white beard and mustache, wearing a black Nike cap and dark shirt, standing in front of a car, showcasing his natural body-shaping journey.

Natural body shaping the natural way

Body Shaping the Natural Way – Curtis Matthews

March 7, 2025

I’m 58, 5’10”, 185 lbs, sitting at 20% body fat, and I’m shaping up my way—no contests, no diets, just natural vibes. Goal? Drop to 170-175 lbs, maybe 15-18% fat—leaner, stronger, feeling solid. Been hitting a full-body dumbbell workout the last couple days (watch it here)—45 minutes of squats, presses, rows, and core. Here’s how I’m making it happen.

Training: My Groove

  • Weights: That YouTube full-body workout, 4-5 days a week. Push to feel it, not break it—extra love to shoulders, chest, legs for shape. At 58, it’s about strength, not strain.
  • Cardio: Walk or bike 30 min, 3-4 days a week—easy pace. Tampa heat’s real, so early or indoor. Might go 40 min later if I’m up for it.
  • Burnout: After weights, 15-20 bodyweight squats or push-ups—quick and done.

This keeps my muscle, burns fat, and fits me. At 20% fat, I’ve got ~148 lbs lean mass—good base to shape up.

Eating: Smart, My Way

No rules, no tracking—I’m eating smart on my terms. Less fat, more shape, figured out as I go.

Timeline: Getting There

  • Now (March): 4x weights, 3x cardio. Down to 180 lbs by April.
  • April-May: Maybe 5x weights, 4x cardio. Hit 175-ish by June.
  • Summer: Land at 170-175 lbs—tweak if I feel like it.

Why It’s Mine

That workout’s my thing—keeps me strong, moving natural. Cardio’s just walking, no big deal. Eating’s my call—no stress, just results. By summer, I’ll be leaner, tighter, all me at 58.

Next up? More workouts, more updates—stick around!?

Carousel of some of the food I ate in the last few weeks.

Supplement I take is creatine

Ingredients
Creatine Monohydrate (micronized)

Directions
During the loading phase day 1 through 5, take 1 scoop four times daily. During the maintenance phase from day 6 forward, take 1 scoop daily. For best results, consume 1 scoop with 8-12 ounces of water or juice. Drink 8-12 glasses of water daily.

Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Powder 500G, 5000mg Per Serv (5g) – 100 Servings, 17.9 Oz High Quality Micronized Creatine Monohydrate

Get The Strength and Endurance You’ve Been Working For

500 Grams of Creatine Monohydrate Per Bottle

5 Grams Per Serving (Scoop Included)

Our Creatine Monohydrate provides you with an ultra premium quality product. Our customers love this pre and post-workout supplement as much as we do.

BUT! I purchased this supplement Last purchased Jul 17, 2024 and still have a little!
Flavor Name: Unflavored | Size: 100 Servings (Pack of 1) 

Fitness in Your Fifties: Embracing the Journey

Aging and staying fit

Throughout my life, fitness has been a cornerstone of who I am. I’ve remained active and taken pride in my physical well-being. However, as I enter my fifties, I’m starting to feel the impact of aging. I’ve noticed a decrease in strength and an unwelcome weight gain around my midsection.

But I refuse to let age define me. I am committed to maintaining fitness and health, and I want to share my journey with you through this blog. Here, I will document my goals, workouts, diet, and progress. It is my hope that my story will inspire others, regardless of their age, to prioritize their well-being and embrace a fit lifestyle.

Fitness Goals: Striving for a Better Me

My initial objective is to shed the excess belly fat that has accumulated over time. While I understand that spot reduction is a myth, I aim to reduce my overall body fat percentage through consistent exercise and a healthy diet, thereby diminishing the fat around my midsection.

Additionally, I aspire to regain strength. My goal is not to become a bodybuilder, but rather to perform everyday tasks without experiencing fatigue or discomfort. I want to partake in activities with my children, go on hikes and walks with my spouse, and maintain a sense of vitality.

Workouts: Balancing Cardio and Strength

To kickstart my fitness journey, I will commit to working out three times a week. I plan to incorporate a combination of cardio and strength training exercises. For cardio, activities like running, biking, and swimming will be my go-to choices. To build strength, I will utilize weights and resistance bands.

In addition to these exercises, I will incorporate yoga and Pilates into my routine. These practices will enhance my flexibility and balance, critical aspects of injury prevention as I age.

Diet: Nourishing the Body

I am prepared to make adjustments to my diet as part of this transformative process. Emphasizing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, I will enhance the nutritional value of my meals. Simultaneously, I will reduce my consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and red meat.

To monitor my food intake effectively, I will take pictures and post. Tracking my calories and nutrients will help me stay on course and ensure I am providing my body with the right fuel.

This is what I ate in the last two weeks and this is what I have to change the most.

Natural Training with No Supplements: Trusting in the Body’s Potential

I passionately believe that the body possesses the ability to generate all the necessary resources when provided with the right ingredients. Consequently, I will not resort to supplements such as protein powders, steroids, or PEDs. My faith lies in the power of natural methods to achieve my fitness goals.

Conclusion: The Exciting Path Ahead

I am genuinely thrilled to embark on this transformative journey. I recognize the challenges that lie ahead, but I am resolute in my commitment to success. My ultimate aspiration is that my experiences will inspire others, irrespective of age, to embrace a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Thank you for joining me on this venture. Together, let us celebrate the pursuit of lifelong fitness and well-being!

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! 🙏💙