I know you did this last week. You bought the low calorie bars at the weekend. The skinny bars. The 80 calorie ones. Because you were going to be good this week. So after tea, when the kids had gone to bed and it had gone a bit quieter, you had one. But one didn't touch the sides. So you had another. And then the maths started. "Three is still under 250. It's fine." And then you're standing in the kitchen feeling frustrated with yourself, wondering why you can't just have one

Bit of a niche blog today. Have you ever done a fitness photo shoot?  If you have read on. If you haven't but you like a 8 week plan then also read on as there’s some cross over. So you’ve done it. So why do you feel worse? You did everything right. Weeks of prep.  Hitting your macros.  Saying no to the wine when you were out with your mates.  Getting up for cardio.  Counting every calorie.  Doing every single thing you were told to do. And then the shoot happened. Hair done.

I've been wanting to write this one for a while. Because I know you follow along, listen to the podcast and think  "I love what Cara does, but it's probably not for someone like me". And that thought is stopping you from getting help that could change everything. There's an image in your head. I know what it is. When people hear "relationship with food coaching," they picture someone in a larger body.  Someone whose struggle is "visible".  Diet culture has spent decades telli

I’ve just got back from the Amalfi Coast and I’m going to talk to you about holidays for this year, because this stuff needs a little time.  Just like when Christmas comes round and all the crafting programs are on but you’ve actually got no time to craft anything…I’m your Kirsty Allsop for you relationship with food. If you've got a holiday coming up this year, whether it's booked, half booked, or you're just thinking about it, I want to talk to you today. Because there's so

I've got a busy day today. I'm cleaning my house before I go away for a few days. Sound familiar and just like the sort of thing that you would do? That's because I'm a type A personality and you probably are too. We are -  Highly competitive and driven, Ambitious and goal focused. Works quickly and feels time urgency (even when others don't). Multi tasks frequently. Struggles to switch off and relax. Type B personalities are the opposite. Neither is better than the other,

Oh, delivering all the fierce compassion today. I don't know if you need to hear it but I think it's a good reminder to you. This was the reply from Dr Laura Bangs (Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist) when I asked her "What is the one thing you wish everyone woman knew about her health?" on my podcast. Now, I'm not sure what kind of answer I was looking for with that question but I wasn't expecting where Laura went with it. But it makes sense doesn't it? Heavy perio

I'm a massive feminist. Always have been and always will be. So International Women's Day is music to my ears. As you read this I have popped on a special FREE Virtual Pilates class this morning and I will be standing in Wem Town Hall at the IWD fair all today. As the name suggests "international" feels quite big so I wanted to discuss with you how you can play your part in promoting women all year round, daily and making real change. And because it's me I want to make thi

There. I said it. Because if you spend any amount of time on social media especially in the health and wellness space, you will know that a lot of marketing is built on making you feel like something is wrong with you. The before and afters.  The subtle (and not so subtle) digs that leave you scrolling and feeling worse about yourself than when you started. I've never done it.  And I never will. This week on Chatting with Cara I joined the wonderful Charlotte Williams on her

I’ve been deep in collecting my clients' reviews and testimonials this week.  I should do it as I go along really…..(note to self) But it’s really highlighted to me just how bloody good I am at this coaching malarky because the results are fabulous. So, I’m going to tell you about Sarah (you're probably going to see yourself in her). You've had a stressful day. The emails won't stop. Your boss is being unreasonable.  You feel...something. But you can't quite name it. So you h

I have a stepdaughter who is 11 going on 19, and I was chatting to Stefan telling him all about my new Menopause Workshop which I've launched. When she came into the conversation and asked that question. Well actually the first question was "what is menopause?" So I explained and then she said but you haven't been through that? I said no but I can still talk about it, offer support, guidance and advice. She looked at me funny..... I'm not sure I brought her round but I'm he

For the OG's around her you will remember when I was a PT, well I was having a chat the other day to another PT and we were talking away and I was explaining what I do now and she said.... "Do you find that clients' motivation drops off after the start?" and I said, "No, not at all" In fact, I find the opposite, my clients get further and further into what I teach so that they get motivated more and more to learn and to practice it. The start of February is psychologically a

When I say emotional eating your mind might go straight to Bridget Jones (we are of an age aren't we), her delving into a tub of Ben and Jerry's crying and listening to "All By Myself". But when I say boredom eating. I bet you resonate with that? Most women do. But I bet you aren't actually bored. Because let's face it you've got a to do list longer than your arm. You are triggered by a messy house. You are the default parent. You do all the mental admin. A lot. A spa day i

So we are in the third week of January and the new start feeling is still alive and kicking.  I'm seeing you put effort in left, right and centre because you really want to make 2026 a year of change. THE year. I'm here today to make sure that all that energy isn't misdirected. It's in the right place so you get the results that you want and 2026 is THE year. Because you see I'm seeing a lot of misdirected energy at the moment. Remember "I want to see my vag" food blogger? Wh

I see this so much with my clients. It 's super common. And in certain situations it is pretty helpful. Until it's not. The all or nothing mindset. The black and white mindset. The going to the gym 4 times a week followed by months of not going. The eating and counting every calorie followed by the takeaways at the weekend. As always I'm going to tell you how to shift this mindset. Shift the root cause and not just the surface level actions (which you can't work out why you

I came across a post this week that stopped me in my tracks. A Welsh food and travel blogger called Llio Angarad posted: "I want to see my vag again." Now, I'll be honest with you - I follow her because her Instagram is gorgeous. Beautiful photos of restaurants, incredible food, stunning places in Wales. She's got that whole aesthetic down to an art form that makes my sports science degree feel very...practical. But this post was different. She wants to feel stronger, lighter

Let me tell you a story It’s about no one in particular and it’s about most women in 2025..all at once. Let’s call this woman Cara. Cara grew up in the 90’s, her Mum was always on a diet, SlimFast, low fat - you name it, her Mum was always doing aerobics and step to try to lose some of the baby weight that she had put on. Cara went to Uni in the 2000’s where heroine chic was big, size 0 was a thing and Heat magazine was tearing down any woman bigger than a size 8. Then she we

This week I've - - Played netball on Monday night (top of the league FYI) - Ran my Virtual Mindful Eating Workshop on Tuesday and Thursday nights. - Played netball on Wednesday (netball is life) - Ran a business and transformed my clients mindsets around food, supported them with sick children, end of school madness and everything in between. - Cooked every meal. - Ticked off all things Christmas. - Brought the magic with the elves every.single.night. I could go on but you ge

December is BUSYYY isn't it? I always think those annual get-togethers would be so much more convenient in July.... But you are holding everything, making magic for the kids, doing all the life admin, going to every event and buying presents for everyone. It's busy and food is everywhere . The people pleaser in you is working overdrive. The perfectionist traits are shouting rather than whispering. And in amongst this overwhelm it can be really tempting to press the F**K it bu

I've always prided myself on how I go about coaching and running a business. I have never dug into pain points. I have never done before and after pictures when I did fitness coaching. I have always been a non judgemental space for my clients. And with that I've made some organisational changes. Which align with me and how I want to run Coaching with Cara. So first up is all my testimonials and reviews from my clients will be anonymous, forever. You see when people start co

I know I spoke about my new below the knee coat on Tuesday but it really has been a revelation. Why did no one tell me about just how toasty it was to walk around in a duvet all day? If you had told me 6 years ago that I would have a below the knee coat at 38 I would have laughed in your face. I did consider one last year when it was baltic but didn't commit. And I know why. Because of my body image. Body image is how you see your body, not what it actually looks like. As