A particular day inspired LaTrice Wilson to get motivated about her fitness -- Sept. 16, 2011.

That was her wedding day, and Wilson, then a size 14, wanted to be a size 10.

Lesley Young/Special to The Commercial Appeal

LaTrice Wilson, 27, lost 30 pounds after meeting with a personal trainer for five months. Now four months' pregnant, she continues her cardio training and better eating habits.

"I wanted to get in my dress," said the 27-year-old student of respiratory therapy.

So Wilson headed to 24 Hour Fitness on Ridgeway in East Memphis and asked for a personal trainer.

They assigned her Andre LeSueur, and after five months of working with him three days a week and exercising some on her own, Wilson walked down the aisle a size 8, and 30 pounds lighter.

"It was a perfect fit," she said.

LeSueur gave Wilson a food chart and guidelines for eating.

She was instructed to eat only whole grains; no starches, carbs or fruit and sweets after 3 p.m., and to eat only grilled or baked meat and healthful proteins, like peanuts, for snacks.

"I started eating more often, like every two or three hours," she said. "It was great having a personal trainer, because if I was sitting in a restaurant and trying to decide what to eat, I could call him and ask him. I called Andre a lot."

Her new eating habits included a cheat day to keep her cravings at bay.

"That way I didn't overindulge," she said.

Wilson, who lives in Bartlett, met with LeSueur three days a week for an hour of weight training and interval cardio training.

"I'd do fast-paced cardio, then low-paced," she said. "After my regular workouts with Andre, I'd do an hour of cardio on my own."

On the days she didn't work with LeSueur, she would put in a half-hour to an hour of cardio on her own.

"Before I got a personal trainer, I was trying to lose weight on my own, and I wasn't motivated. Andre was very professional. With him it was more than losing weight. He taught me how to change my lifestyle and to stay motivated so I was able to come to the gym every day," she said.

Her next challenge is to stay motivated while pregnant.

Four months' pregnant, Wilson goes to the gym three days a week for some light cardio work, either on the elliptical machine or walking with 21/2 -pound weights for 30 minutes.

"Now that I'm trained to eat right, I eat that way pregnant," she said. "I just try to have my cravings before 3 p.m."

Have you lost weight and kept it off, adopted better eating habits, started exercising or had success living a more healthful lifestyle? E-mail your story to sunyata00@gmail.com.

LaTrice Wilson

Age: 27

Home: Bartlett

What she did: In order to fit into her size-10 wedding dress by mid-September of last year, Wilson met with personal trainer Andre LeSueur for three days a week for weight training and interval cardio training, as well as working out on her own. She lost 30 pounds.

Gym info: 24 Hour Fitness, 1285 Ridgeway, (901) 763-3265, 24hourfitness.com

Advice: "Definitely get a personal trainer."

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Success Story: LaTrice Wilson