I think there are a couple of plans that do 12 or 14 week transformations. Body for Life is one, I know. Obviously, results vary by individual and they only publish the most dramatic transformations in their book, website, etc.

But some of those transformations are just SO dramatic! Do you think they're real? Or are they bogus (and just a matter of slouching and pushing out tummies in the before shot, than shaving/glistening/flexing in the after shot)?

ITS BOTH.
They sanbag the before (like you said, slouch, push tummies out, etc

and for the AFter, there are SO MANY WAYS to manipulate weight...
im sure they do like a Pre-contest water manipulation/glycogen depletion program...
basically they dehydrate and deplete their bodies SO Much (only takes about 3-5 Days) that they look that ripped and veiny and lean for the photoshoot (wrestlers do it too, for weigh-ins) then afterwards, they eat and drink and rebound upwards of 10-20 pounds, easily...... and its not fat, but their "photo weight" is NOT their "real life" weight, KWIM?

it's like Biggest Loser too - the winners definitely do the same kind of water/glycogen manipulation mkroyer said, and they always gain back 10-15 right away. (and personally, I think they look MUCH better after that, but that's another topic! lol!)

I read somewhere on the internet (so it must be true, haha) that some companies take "after" pictures first, have the models gain weight, then take the "before" pictures.

Body for life uses photos that people send in and they used to at least require a picture with a newspaper showing the date. People could push out their tummies and what not in the before pics.

Diet pill companies are famous for this. We have even seen diet pill companies steal before/after photos of members at 3FC who have lost weight.

Although this is not weight related, did you ever notice that when they have makeovers, the before pictures always show the person with no makeup at all, messy hair, or hair just pulled back in a pony tail and baggy, dumpy clothes. Then they bring them out and all they did was what everyone should naturally do when they get ready to go out. Also, I wonder how many of those people keep up the "new look" afterwards, or go back to their old selves.

Carol

That is horrifying!

OMG! I can't imagine looking at a diet pill ad and seeing my photos!

Carol

I've noticed on some of them that the "before" picture is clearly old. Sometimes you can tell by hair length/style, or the way they're dressed.

I also saw something on TV that went into this. A lot of times they find people who are athletes, or very fit, who have had a recent injury or something and have put on weight. They take the "before", the person goes back to their normal lifestyle, and voila! They get fit again.