Sarah's Way to a Healthier Life: Authors Emphasize Need for Healthy Lifestyle in New Children's Book

    TRAPPE, Md., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The percentage of overweight
children has more than doubled during the past two decades, say authors Ray
Clarke and Lorri Wilson-Clarke. In their new full-color children's book,
"Fat Girl Kicks Butt: Sarah's Program to a Healthier Life" (now available
through AuthorHouse), the husband-and-wife writing team tells the story of
a young girl who learns how to achieve a healthier and happier life.
    Sarah is a sixth-grade girl who is overweight and teased at school
about her size. After some disturbing news from her doctor, Sarah, with the
help of her family, decides that she will meet her problem head-on by
taking control of her life through developing a healthy diet and exercise
program.
    The family hires a personal trainer to help create an exercise routine
for the family. As a family, everyone becomes more fit by eating a proper
diet and exercising regularly. As Sarah becomes fit by running, hiking and
eating right, she begins to see positive changes in her physical
appearance.
    Sarah finds that she has become a good runner. At her school's annual
athletic event, Sarah competes against the same girls that once bullied
her. Win or lose, Sarah finds that her self-esteem soars as she impresses
her teammates, teachers, trainer and her family with her newfound fitness
abilities and reshaped body.
    Through Sarah's story, the Clarkes show children that they can overcome
challenges and improve their lives. "Since both positive and negative
behaviors established at a young age have a high probability of persisting
into adulthood, it is likely that inactive kids will become inactive
adults," they say. "This trend can be altered if we decide to accept the
solution, eat healthier and exercise."
    Clarke is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a
bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering. He also holds a master's
degree in environmental engineering from the University of Maryland at
College Park, and is a registered professional engineer in the state of
Maryland. Clarke presently manages the department of public works for
Maryland Eastern Shore County.
    Wilson-Clarke is the owner of Slim and Tone, a women's fitness
franchise. She holds certifications in personal training, cancer exercise
specialization, classical Pilates instruction and American Red Cross CPR.
She is also the creator of the Bodywatts exercise videos. Wilson-Clarke's
passion for helping others to become fit came after 20 years of placing
exercise on the backburner, and realizing at age 40 that her health and
well-being were suffering.
    The Clarkes currently live on Maryland's Eastern Shore. "Fat Girl Kicks
Butt" is their first children's book.
    AuthorHouse is the premier publishing house for emerging authors and
new voices in literature. For more information, please visit
http://www.authorhouse.com.
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