'DWTS' Pro Sharna Burgess' Diet and Workout Secrets to Get Toned

Too hot! Dancing With the Stars pro Sharna Burgess has one of the most enviable bodies around. She gets her ripped physique by staying active and eating right. However, she doesn’t deprive herself — yes, she even snacks — and works equally hard at staying mentally fit.

The Australian dancer returned to season 29 of DWTS, which premieres on September 14, after not being selected as a pro the prior season. Fans were shocked by her absence on season 28 considering her successful run during the 12 seasons she appeared on. She and radio personality Bobby Bones won the mirrorball trophy during season 27, and she came in second place with Nick Carter, James Hinchcliffe and Josh Norman in years past. During her interim, she appeared as a judge on Australia’s version of the dance competition show.

Needless to say, viewers are ecstatic to have her back. The activist swapped out her signature fiery red hair for blonde locks with pink ends, but her fit figure is as incredible as always. The athlete got very real about the effects living through the coronavirus pandemic had on her mental and physical health before getting back to the dance studio.

“Quarantine fitness … it’s been an adjustment that’s for sure. As someone who loves the gym, loves her routine, loves the group classes and gets inspired by the environment … isolation and lockdowns didn’t exactly sit well with me,” Sharna began a lengthy post via Instagram on September 3. “It wasn’t until I was picked up for DWTS that I suddenly got the ‘oh [poop emoji]’ feeling. Waves of regret for all the Vegemite on toast instead of working out.”

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Sharna confessed to having a “minor meltdown” after pulling out her “teeny tiny” DWTS costume, but it was more than an extra pound or two gained. “I didn’t feel connected to my core, didn’t feel the strength in my body and didn’t see the tone that I wanted,” she explained. “Because I wasn’t over the last few months honoring what my body needed with the excuse of ‘well … COVID.’ I was no longer feeling good about what I was seeing and feeling. I wasn’t feeling my physical body accomplish anything of merit when it’s used to doing that every day. No wonder I was feeling off.”

She added, “Have I lost a little of that weight, sure. But I’ve gained my muscle back, my strength and power that I love about my body so much is back and not because of a physical transformation, but because of giving it time each day between working out, meditating … hydrating, gratitude!!”

Sharna is serving as our major fitness inspiration. Keep scrolling to see the pro’s exercise and diet secrets!