1 Up and at it – what is your morning routine?
My morning routine involves getting up early with my daughter, Molly, and getting her fed – usually that means porridge and yoghurt going everywhere – changed and ready to watch Mr Tumble. We aim to be out the door by 9.25am so I can get to work on time.
2 What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? I’m really bad at eating breakfast, so I try and take some Freefrom Rice Krispies – I’m coeliac and also lactose intolerant.
Lunch? Lunch is usually salad, eaten with something like ham or chicken.
Evening meal? My evening meal is often determined by what I ate at lunchtime, but I might have a small steak if I'm feeling like a treat.
3 Is nutrition important to you?
Yes, I think nutrition it is important, especially with my allergies. I have to be very regimented when I’m performing on stage and make sure I don't eat anything I shouldn’t.
4 Best meal ever?
Steak, champ and vegetables – I love vegetables – or something simple on the other end of the scale like scrambled eggs or even spaghetti hoops.
5 Do you have a guilty pleasure?
My downfall is cheese. I love all different types of cheese, no exception! It’s the one thing I really indulge in on my day off – and I usually accompany it with a glass or two of wine.
6 Have you ever been on a diet? If so, how did it go?
I have done a lot of diets throughout my life, but I’ve come to the conclusion that everything in moderation helps. I try to do somewhere around 10,000 steps a day, if not more, and I’m hoping to get back to my Zumba class. But you only live once, so I’m not going to deprive myself any more.
7 Do you take health supplements?
I take five vitamins a day which include Vitamin B12, and Vitamins C, D and K. I also take iron. As I’m not taking all the food groups that contain these, I like to keep stocked up so I don’t get tired.
8 How do you relax?
I like to unwind by watching documentaries and reading. Unfortunately, that happens very little these days, as I’m running around after a lively toddler who loves to run everywhere.
9 Teetotal or tipple?
A wee tipple, definitely. I enjoy a glass of Prosecco, wine, Baileys – anything, really, but all in moderation of course...
10 Stairs or lift?
Both – I do take the stairs, but, if the lift is handy, I’ll just jump in.
11 Do you have a daily exercise regime?
I’m getting exercise by playing with my daughter – she just loves walking and she wants to walk everywhere at the moment. I also have a treadmill, so if I’m feeling the need to get a bit fitter, I’ll jump on that for a bit.
12 Best tip for everyday fitness?
Walk – even if it's just for 15 minutes each day. I feel sometimes that when I have exercised, my mind is free and my body does feel a little better for it. The other thing I would say is, only do what is right for your own body and your mind.
13 On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?
Right now, I think I would be a seven out of 10, with doing shows and looking after Molly, but this year I want to hit a 10.
14 Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?
I don’t know about therapy, but when I went to my Zumba classes, I did feel amazing. It was hard work, but the feeling the next day and also the following weeks, made my mood change. I was happier and I felt good on the inside too.
15 Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?
I absolutely hated school sports! The only thing I was good at was rounders and swimming. It definitely wasn’t my best subject at school and I think the teachers would agree with me there.
16 Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?
I’ve never had a health epiphany as such, but I’ve always known that if I put on weight, I just feel 'down' and unhealthy, so if I want to change how I feel I need to change how I eat.
17 Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?
Do it at your own pace. That way, if you lose weight, you have more chance of maintaining the weight loss and not putting it back on again.
18 Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness/attitude to life?
I have a lot of healthy friends, but my friend Neil Keery, inspires me. He lost five stone and has become a Zumba instructor after going to the classes with me. He’s so much happier now that he’s healthy and I love that.
19 What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?
At he moment, my young child doesn’t always sleep that well at night, so I’m hoping that, as she grows up, I’ll eventually get some sort of routine back into my sleeping pattern.
20 Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?
Yes, I think so. I love my life and I love the people who are living it alongside me. I fully intend to live it as much as I can.
:: Caroline appears in the new series of Soft Border Patrol on BBC1 Northern Ireland and is also starring in 50 Shades of Red White and Blue by Leesa Harker at Belfast's Waterfront Hall from April 4-6.
