Cheryl Burke Responds to Critics Who Say She ‘Looks So Different' amid Weight Loss: ‘You're Allowed to Evolve'
In a post about prioritizing mental health, Cheryl Burke responded to criticism about her looks since her recent weight loss
The DWTS alum said people are projecting and she's 'allowed to evolve'
She previously told PEOPLE that she's lost about 35 lbs. since focusing on how she feels rather than how she looksCheryl Burke has had enough of the online criticism about her looks.
On June 6, the Dancing with the Stars alum, 41, posted on Instagram and discussed protecting her mental health as she continues to deal with social media comments about her new appearance since losing weight.
'The noise that was never yours to carry,' she wrote alongside a selfie. 'Online Criticism: 'You look so different. Did she get work done? You were better before…' Truth: People project. Let them. You're allowed to evolve.'
'There comes a moment when you realize the loudest voice in the room doesn't always speak the truth,' Burke added in the caption. 'The opinions. The projections. The pressure. You don't have to carry any of it…'
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'Choosing your peace isn't selfish — it's sacred,' she wrote. 'You were never meant to live your life on someone else's volume setting…✨ Save this for the days it gets loud. #protectyourpeace #boundariesarebeautiful #mentalhealthawareness.'
Last month, Burke spoke to PEOPLE and set the record straight about her recent weight loss. She explained that living a healthy lifestyle was always a priority for her, but things changed once she entered her 40s.
'I've noticed not only my skin changing into mature skin, but also just my metabolism has changed quite a lot,' she said. 'I've noticed my feet cramping randomly if I'm not moving often. Obviously, I'm not as active as I was when I was on the show, but it's just been a whole change for me.'
As someone who struggled with body image in the past, the professional dancer — who left DWTS in 2022 after 26 seasons — knew she couldn't approach her health the same way she did when she was younger. Back then she was 'obsessive' over the number on the scale.
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'It would really affect my mood on a daily basis if I didn't feel like I was skinny enough,' she admitted. 'It's just not healthy.'
Burke said she decided to shift her focus moving forward, 'starting from within first instead of the aesthetic of what I look like from the outside.'
The former dancer found success in intermittent fasting, eating clean foods, going for long walks daily and taking workout classes with the Fitbit app. Although she hasn't kept a scale in her house in several years, Burke noted that as a result of her efforts, she's probably lost between 30 to 35 lbs. in recent months.
'I have so much more energy than I ever have,' she said.
Despite feeling better than ever, Burke said she's been hurt by relentless online criticism. Her social media comments have been filled with messages accusing her of taking Ozempic for weight loss, losing too much weight, ditching her brand of promoting body positivity and more.
'I just want people to know that I'm not sick and I have never gone under the knife for anything. I didn't get a brow lift, I didn't get a face transplant. This is my body and this is how I feel best in it today,' she told PEOPLE.
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