So, one week of this fitness challenge and lifestyle change under my belt, and I’ve lost a grand total of 4.2 pounds. Not bad, especially because from Friday until Tuesday, I was coughing and sneezing like an extra in “Contagion.”

On Wednesday, I walked and jogged on the treadmill at my apartment complex for about 30 minutes. The heat was turned off completely, so I probably became sick from working out in the cold temperatures.

On Thursday, I went to Lailah’s Studio at 4968 Austell Road in Austell and took a Zumba class taught by Katia Longaretti.

Katia does not play.

While in graduate school at the University of Alabama, I went to several Zumba classes. None of them were like the one I took last week.

Katia is incredible. She has amazing energy and is tons of fun. She can move. Be prepared, the class is intense. Though, if you’re wanting a fun workout that is going to get results, then this is the class for you.

Lailah's also offers yoga, cardio and bodysculpting and even bellydancing classes. For a full schedule and more information, click here.

After class, I struck up a conversation with a lady who’d been in class next to me.

“Have you done Zumba before?” she asked me.

“Yeah,” I replied.

“Yeah, I could tell. You’re used to there being certain dances to the same songs, aren’t you?” she asked in the friendliest way, fully expecting me to agree.

I wanted to agree, but I told the truth. Um…no, not really. I wasn’t doing moves from another class. I thought I was doing the moves that Katia was doing. I must have been doing my own thing, I guess. (Ha!) Well, good news is I plan on attending regularly, so I’ll have the moves down pat soon.

Unfortunately, I did not attend the first Discover Your Health seminar at the Cobb Central Library on Saturday since I was sick. However, if you did, please share in the comments below what you thought of it.

Wondering how I’ve changed my diet?

I’ve eaten no fast food and no beef since this year began. I’ve drank no sodas and no alcohol. Besides that, I haven’t really changed my diet.

This upcoming week, I want to look into Weight Watchers.

A fellow Patch editor told me that it was successful for her and affordable, so I plan to attend a Weight Watchers session at Orange Hill Baptist Church in Austell on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, you can find me at Mexico Lindo at 7 p.m. for free salsa lessons and a salsa dance session. It’s going to be caliente!

Hope to see you there!

How is your fitness journey coming along so far? Share below in the comments!