"Since ancient times Sumo Wrestlers have perfected the ability to become very very fat! Their livelihoods depend on it! They are experts! We can learn the SECRET to being slim from the experience and wisdom of the Sumo's - by doing the opposite - The 3:00 PM SECRET!" * * "The 3:00 PM SECRET will give you results so fast, you will never look back!" * * "The 3:00 PM SECRET is the last book you will ever need on losing weight." * * "Living The 3:00 PM SECRET is so easy and such a positive experience, it seems like magic." * * "When your life is devoted to your dreams rather than dinner, you will focus on those dreams and becoming slim just happens." * * "The 3:00 PM SECRET shows you how to quickly and permanently become slim and strong. If you are feeling hopeless, it will inspire you to rediscover your dreams and show you how to have the body worthy of those dreams." * * "The book was written for you if you have tried and failed at losing weight and have given up on your dreams." * * "The 3:00 PM SECRET is unique because of its motivation and its simple and innovative approach to eating." * * "By focusing on your life and dreams rather than dinner, food cravings vanish." * * "The book has a site where readers can ask questions and share their ideas and success stories." * * * BOOK REVIEW 1: "After Debra distilled her principles for healthy living and proved them in her life, she discovered a passion for sharing her discoveries with others, particularly those who have lost hope that their bodies will ever cooperate with their dreams. Observing that most human beings are, well, human, Debra designed a set of lifestyle choices we all can embrace in our daily rituals. She hopes you will hope again, and finally set yourself free to pursue your true destiny." Judge David A. Lawrence, 'Secret' Admirer. * * * BOOK REVIEW 2: "Finally a treatise on achieving and sustaining one's trimness and fitness based not on no carbs, low carbs, medium carbs or high carbs! Debra has cut through the contemporary and often baseless fads to weight control and health. These two issues are inextricably linked one with the other, and success in achieving both requires an understanding of the ways they relate. She presents an insightful tour d'force of reaching one's goals of not fearing the mirror, the scale or your next birthday. A practical and easy to read journey to discovering The 3PM Secret. This is a must for all of us who seek an end to the race for the next best fad, which most likely will fail as miserably as the one before it. Debra's approach to becoming trim and fit is reasonable, simply presented, understandable and most importantly - attainable!" Professor Channing Robertson, Stanford University.

The diet information and weight loss tips in this book were all sound advice. Unfortunately the amateur book cover design and the disastrous interior typography and layout were so distracting that it takes away from the message of the book. It is hard to take a book seriously that looks like it was designed by a self-taught pseudo graphic artist using a typewriter and photocopies in someone's basement.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (6/08)

In today's world it is becoming more and more important what kind of an image we present to those around us. The trend to be youthful looking, fit and trim is something that we are bombarded with from all sides and it seems that only those conforming to such images will and should be happy. Books and programs for getting in shape abound these days and it feels like every day there is a new miracle diet, wonder workout or secret ingredient to consider.

Debra Anne Ross Lawrence's "The 3:00 PM Secret" carries a hefty subtitle, proclaiming "Live Slim and Strong" and "Live Your Dreams." The implication of those two statements linked would likely be what I referred to earlier - that only those who are slim are destined to be happy and attain their dreams. While life certainly is more fun when one can move around more easily, I happen to know quite a few people who are far from reed thin, yet they are happy, content and successful individuals. Having said that, I have to admit that the principles for healthy life outlined in "The 3:00 PM Secret" actually sound reasonable, doable and attainable.

Debra Anne Ross Lawrence focuses on the way digestion works in our systems and proposes a shift in eating patterns, establishing several days without food intake after 3 p.m. She couples this with very sound nutritional advice, a realistic workout plan and overall sound advice on living and aging well. One of the points she stresses throughout her book is the fact that you need to communicate with your doctor before undergoing any radical changes in your lifestyle, especially if you suffer from any ailments or illnesses.

Overall I have found her approach to weight loss interesting and reasonable, especially parts dealing with sensible food intake and regular, yet not life-consuming exercise. There is a lot of valuable information compiled within Debra Anne Ross Lawrence's "The 3:00 PM Secret" which could and should be used to your advantage, particularly if you decide to focus even more on the `strong' than on the `slim' part.

This book really works. I like how she discusses Sumo Wrestlers and their eating habits. I have tried to starve myself in the morning only to gorge in the evening. No weight loss there! I only gained weight with that method. I have not been eating past 3PM and I have been exercising more. Just jogging, walking, or the eliptical. I will start with some Yoga at my gym and maybe some pilates soon. I am more motivated to exercise when I don't eat past 3PM. Weird. I have WAY more energy in the evening and I get so much stuff done. If there is something that I want to eat and it is past 3PM, than I save it for the next day. I usually find the next day that I don't want it as much or I am not as famished as I was the evening before. I think that we just naturally eat more in the evening.... I have lost 6 pounds in 5 days and I am eating whatever I want. I just stop eating at 3PM. I look really healthy and not bloated. Yes, I try to have some greens and a bit of fruit every day and I avoid wheat (due to an allergy) but I was 194 when I started this and now I am 188. I look GOOD (not trying to brag, but hey, this is cool). I am more clear headed and feel better about my body. I have been having 1 glass of wine each evening. It was hard the first day, but it is actually very easy. You have a few hunger pangs here and there but they go away and than you wake up thinner...AND you get to eat what you were craving for dinner.... for breakfast if you want to. This works. Try it. Just try not eating past 3PM. I like the book, and I think the author is great. She gives some good advice and I love how she discusses longevity and, once again Sumo Wrestlers and their diet/lifestyle. Try it!!

'THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams' by Debra Anne Ross Lawrence is a weight loss book built on 3 main things:

1. eat well/smart
2. exercise
3. don't eat after 3pm

The 2 main points you will find in nearly any weight loss book out there. Eating less garbage and exercising are key to anyone feeling healthier. If you don't do these 2 things you will never get weight off and keep it off so I will not focus on those points in this review. The third point is what makes this book different, and that is the authors focus on not eating after 3pm. The idea is simple, you need calories to burn during the day when you are active and using energy, not the end of the day when you are resting and preparing to go to bed. The strategy will work but I don't think it's very realistic. For most families people are going to be eating dinner or spending time together. In order to keep this "normal" schedule you will be eating dinner. For single people or couples that both are on the same life schedule this strategy can work, but even for them it should only be undertaken if you are not active in the evening (I know for myself who goes to karate at 8pm two times a week I need calories to burn at night).

I think there are lots of good ideas in here so if you can't follow all the guidelines in this book, the key one that can be easily followed is that at the end of the day don't eat a large dinner on a daily basis and eat LESS at the end of the day. If you just follow these simple guidelines and you incorporate smart eating + exercise the weight will come off and you will feel better.

****

So many have tried to lose weight. So many have driven themselves to extremes to accomplish that very goal, only to lose hope when results don't happen. "The 3:00 PM Secret:: Live Slim and Strong Live Your Dreams" is here to restore hope to a broad audience - an audience of everyone who has tried and failed to make that life changing move to lose weight. Author Debra Anne Ross Lawrence states that after three months of following her stated 3:00 PM secret, readers will be able to live the lifestyle they've always wanted easily following the novel way of eating that "The 3:00 PM Secret: Live Slim and Strong Live Your Dreams" promotes, making it highly recommended for community library health collections and for anyone who wants to give dropping that spare tire another go.