In my freezer, there are three frozen pizzas sitting on a rack above my ice trays. Two of them expired in July and one in August. I bought them in March, but I'm never going to eat them. $3.75 down the drain.

I don't throw them out (yet) because they are a symbol. A symbol of change. Because not long after I bought them, I realized I had to start eating better. Not eating those things, I had to eat other things.

One lunch in early April, I ate a really greasy chorizo breakfast burrito at Perico's (it means parrot). Perico's is a New Mexican eatery, specializing in burritos and tacos. There are a few of these types of places around town, including Acapulco, which is right around the corner from my home. But that day, on my way back to work, I felt one of the worst pains in my stomach I'd ever had. And, while the immediacy of the pain subsided, a constant ache continued for days and then weeks.

A few years ago, health insurance went up astronomically, and I cut it to keep my paycheck the same (no raises, no bonuses was my company's motto). I haven't been to a doctor in years, so thousands of dollars a year to "allow" me go to one if I needed it seemed like a waste of money. And I still contend that it is, even though I will be getting back on the health insurance train in the next couple of months.

I realized that I probably had an ulcer. The Internets say that a doctor would most likely prescribe Prilosec OTC for such a problem. Being my own personal health care provider, I went with the Wal-Mart brand of this drug. A two week regimen, and I was feeling better.

But even before the drugs, I began to switch my dinners. The most control I have about what I eat is my dinner. Five out of seven nights (on average) are eaten at home. I started steaming asparagus and eating yogurt regularly. Then I added apples (I like Granny Smith, for both taste and firmness). Broccoli usurped asparagus pretty quickly, mostly for price, but I still get asparagus when its on sale.

Four nights a week on average, my dinner is broccoli, an apple and yogurt (I get the individual tubs because it makes it easy to eat a serving). Another night will include a piece of fish or meat (chicken most often, but sometimes pork and even less occasionally, part of a steak). I eat out or get take out the other two nights.

Lunches are more problematic, because I have to get out of the office, and most places to eat lunch are, by definition, fast food. But I have cut my portion size. And one or two of those lunches won't contain meat either.

"Breakfast" hasn't changed. I drink two cups of tea at work, with a banana between cups. Coffee on the weekends.

When I renewed my driver's license in February, I upped my weight from 150 (preposterous!) to 170. At the time, I was probably over 180. I hate to admit that I was over 180 (because that was my top, dammit!), but I was probably around 182-183.

I'm around 168 now.

The weight loss is almost completely from a change in diet. I do a little bit of very, very (very!) simple yoga now, but I haven't gotten into a good routine. I still walk to my brother's place every day. I still play drums in a rock band. I try to do push ups a couple mornings a week. But I've never been a gym rat, and I'm not a runner.

I still drink. And I've still got a bit of a tummy. I am also known to snack at night (I have nuts, cheese, hummus or something sweet like ice cream).

But 15 pounds in five months is pretty good. I think, if there is a bottom, it's probably around 160. I'm not sure if I can get there, but I like what's happened so far. I feel better, lighter, and more like I felt in my early 30s than the later ones.

I still want to be able to wear my cool t-shirts in my elder years.

Matt Worley hasn't had a chorizo burrito since that fateful day.