Professional dancer Cheryl Burke, known for her performances on the U.S. TV series "Dancing with the Stars," says she enjoys her new figure.

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The 25-year-old dancer, who recently showed off her new thinner frame while frolicking on a beach in St. Lucia, said after being criticized for her added weight, she made a strong effort to shed those excess pounds, People.com reported Friday.

"I gained a few pounds and everybody was talking about it last year," Burke told People magazine. "But taking it off was simply a matter of doing a bit more cardio to supplement my dancing. I'm also making sure I eat clean foods and healthy snacks."

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Burke, who has partnered with two celebrity winners of "Stars" during her tenure on the ABC series, told People the popular series is showing people how dancing can be a fun way to stay fit.

"People are seeing that it's a great alternative to going to the gym," Burke said. "It's a great way to do something really healthy for your body and you don't even know it because you have so much fun doing it."