One year after a messy divorce, country star Sara Evans has bounced back with a new outlook and a new body.

The former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant, featured in People's current Country Music Special issue, learned to walk off the pounds and walk away from the past.

“I'm not the kind of person that can go and meet a trainer and go to the gym because I'm so busy and it feels like it's taking too much time away from my kids, so I'll go out in the neighborhood grab some girlfriends and do a walk," Sara said.

She added, "My thing is take everything a day at a time and try to do one thing towards reaching whatever goal you have each day."

Sara said she kick-started her exercise routine after kicking up her heels on "Dancing."

"I love the way my body felt and looked when I was doing 'Dancing with the Stars,' so I've tried to maintain that," she said. "That was hardcore!'

In fact, exercise turned into spiritual therapy for Sara during her bitter divorce battle, when the singer used hour-long walks to keep a healthy mind.

“All summer long I would throw my tennis shoes on and do my hour walk and pray,” she recalled.