Dancing Queen: Chelsie Hightower's Stay-Fit Secrets

How She Stays Motivated

If you could put your personal motto on a bumper sticker, what would it be?
"Love yourself for your weaknesses and strengths. No one is flawless." I need to keep reminding myself of that, because I'm my own biggest critic.

What do you see yourself doing five to 10 years down the road?
I'd love to start a charity through which underprivileged kids could take dance classes free. When I'm going through something hard, I can take it out on the dance floor and forget about the worries. I think everyone should have the chance to experience that feeling.

Two of your fellow dancers, Cheryl Burke and Lacey Schwimmer, have been criticized for gaining weight. Is that kind of scrutiny intimidating?
When I started on the show, I felt the pressure to be thin, but you have to learn to not worry about it and to love yourself the way you are. If someone doesn't like how you look, it doesn't matter. It's okay if you're not a size 0.

Your bathroom scale: friend or foe?
I usually know my weight, but I don't live by the numbers on the scale. If I'm down a couple of pounds, I'll use it as inspiration, like, "Yay! Keep it up!" If I'm up a couple of pounds, I tell myself I probably just gained muscle.