Cheryl Burke's 36-Pound Transformation Secret

Cheryl Burke's Weight Loss Journey and Lifestyle Changes

Cheryl Burke, a former professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars, has opened up about her recent weight loss journey. She shared that her journey began when she weighed around 145 pounds. "I don't weigh myself daily anymore because it was a problem," she said. "At my heaviest I was about 150. The last time I checked, I was 109. I feel f***ing great; my energy is on another level. That 109 doesn't matter, what matters is how I feel."

Burke, who is 41 years old, mentioned that she isn't aiming to lose any more weight. She explained that her approach to eating is quite flexible. "I eat licorice," she said. "I have my morning fruit shake, which is more calories than any of my meals that I'm eating. I have to have my matcha from Peet's Coffee every morning, and if they have the warm pretzel bread, I'll get it because it's just the best thing in the world. I'm very lenient."

Embracing a Healthy-Eating Plan

Burke also discussed her experience with a healthy-eating plan called Z.E.N., which delivers fresh food directly to her home. She described the service as having a chef at her disposal. "The food is delicious and it's portion control," she shared. "The daily calories range from 1,200 to 1,400. I have oatmeal with fruit every morning. I have a snack, pita, chips and hummus. Lunch is normally a salad and then I will have my dinner. It's not diet food, it's real food."

She noted that when she first started the Z.E.N. program about five or six years ago, she would supplement the meals with drive-throughs because she was "actively dancing" and was an "emotional eater." "I would only eat at night," she explained. "Now I don't even remember the last time I had fast food; it's just not something I'm craving."

Balancing Health and Lifestyle

Burke has no plans to stop the Z.E.N. program anytime soon, unless she moves out of California. "It's created more balance in my meals," she noted. "I've learned that starving myself, then eating one big meal, doesn't work for my body. I was also not wanting to eat in front of people— that was a trigger for me. Being called out for being overweight, the last thing you want to do is shove food in your mouth in front of people, especially people who are fit and on the show with you."

While she’s not training to return to the ballroom, Burke has continued with a workout routine. "I walk my dog a couple miles a day," she said. "I have a treadmill where I edit my content because now that I'm a full-time beauty influencer, I actually can only edit content on a treadmill. It's the craziest."

Personal Growth and Mental Health

In addition to her physical health, Burke has also spoken about her struggles with body dysmorphia. She emphasized that overcoming these challenges requires a lot of work. "It takes a lot of work," she said. "But I’m learning to focus on how I feel rather than numbers on a scale."

She also addressed rumors about using Ozempic or undergoing surgery, which she said threatened her sobriety. "Those allegations were really hard to deal with," she admitted. "But I'm focused on my health and well-being, and I'm not letting those things distract me."

Conclusion

Cheryl Burke's journey reflects a holistic approach to health, combining nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. Her story serves as an inspiration to others looking to make positive changes in their lives. Through her experiences, she continues to advocate for a balanced lifestyle that prioritizes self-care and personal happiness over external expectations.