Despite the fact that I can't eat rich, sugary, or processed foods without getting sick, I still eat a lot of food, and make it interesting. Sometimes I have my cheat days, where I eat a packet of bacon or a cupcake, but those days are rare and I only do them if I know I'll be home for the next day or two. 

I've lost a lot of weight due to illness this year. As of now, I weigh 122 pounds soaking wet, and my doctors want me to weigh around 128-130 pounds. It sometimes takes longer to gain weight after illness, but I'll get there eventually. It just takes time and dedication.

People don't realize just how hard it is for people with CF to gain and keep weight. I can't tell you how many times people have told me I'm lucky because I can eat whatever I want and not get fat. Kids at school were sometimes jealous because I was allowed to eat in class, and also allowed to get unlimited extra lunches. But the truth is, it's not worth it. 

If you think through the reasons why I can eat so much, it doesn't sound fun. Half of every meal doesn't get digested. Whatever is digested is mainly used to fight the disease, and whatever is left over is given to my body for nutrition, and most of that is used to build up my muscles. I basically have no fat on my body.

When I was little, my grandpa Bob always had a grand kid on his lap while grandma pushed us around in his wheelchair during fairs and other events. He used to have me sit on a pillow when I sat in his lap, because my seat bones would jab into his legs every time we hid a bump or a crack in the sidewalk. People also looked at me funny if I wore a two-piece bathing suit because every rib, vertebra, and shoulder blade was visible on my body, along with the scars. They'd find my parents and ask why I was so skinny and scarred, which I must admit, turned me pretty self conscious about those things. 

But hey... At least I can eat whatever I want, when I want, right? Riiigghhhtttt....

I just have to make do with what I have. Cystic Fibrosis is a terrible disease, yet, it has some benefits, food being one of them. I love food, and my disease has allowed me to develop skills any competitive eater would love to have. But, I like to keep to myself, so I probably won't be participating in any public eating challenges any time soon. Maybe I'll film my daily diet and post it to the internet one day, but for now, I'll eat my 4 pound meals in peace.