Are 'Before and After' photo's taken the same day?

If you've ever bought a diet pill, most likely you were first attracted by the before and after pictures plastered all over the ads. If you look closesly at the bottom of the page, there is a message in fine print. It says that results are not typical and that these results were achieved by strict diet and exercise routines. This fine print statement completely contradicts diet pill company claims of no diet or exercise needed to lose weight. It is sneaky but perfectly legal because the fine print is there no matter how well hidden.
This probably comes of no suprise to many of you. On Wednesday, I was in Martha's VIneyard for a shoot with Diet.com video. I got to meet the Men's Fashion Director of Playboy (who is hilarious, and extremely sincere) and one of the best women's stylists in the industry for photo shoots. While we were chatting over a diet friendly home made meal, the women's stylist made a comment how they take the pictures for the ads the same day, sometimes!

I was in shock. Obviously I already had my hesitations because the before is always a slouched pose, unflattering clothing, no makeup or a smile. The after is always, great hair/makeup, super smiley, super tan and perfect posture. But I couldn't believe that they actually have the nerve to take the photo's the same day!

When I got back, I tried to look for any articles regarding these so called before and after pictures. The only dirt I could dig up was in fact calling them out on the people that are chosen. Of course they aren't Sally Jane who teaches second grade in Oklahoma, but rather body builders during their off season. Apparently these fitness models are even paid to gain weight just to lose it.

Celebrities that claim they lose weight in the tabloids with specific diet, I also think are a bunch of BS. Jessica Simpson for example, I am convinced was paid to endorse the four factor diet. If you look at any of the before and after pictures, she is clearly wearing unflattering pants (high wasted yuckies) with sour puss on her face, then in a cute little outfit, smiling and waving. Valerie Bertinelli has been recently rumored to not be losing any more weight on the Jenny Craig Diet, but WAS recently featured on the cover of People Magazine with Kirstie Alley, looking fabulous. Photoshop anyone? What do you guys think? Deception is an easy persuader to get people to buy your product. Should there be a disclaimer on ads for diet pills that say, "This pill has not been proven to be

August 17, 2007

Celebrities Lose Weight For The Camera, Again

Just when you’ve had enough, Vh1 casts it’s new cast of overweight celebrities for it’s reality show “Celebrity Fit Club” and Jenny Craig announces it’s newest spokeswoman to lose weight.

Valerie Bertinelli, best known for her 1975-84 sitcom One Day at a Time, has been named the new face for Jenny Craig, as reported by PEOPLE magazine in this week’s cover story. Measuring in at 5'2" and size 14, Bertinelli, who turns 47 this month, pledges to lose 30 lbs. by September. Going public with her goal "is the motivation I need," Bertinelli says. "I need to do this in front of millions of people so I can't mess up."

Bertinelli is quoted in the article as saying, “I don't know how my size, 14, has become obese while size 0 is normal. It's insane. I'm not even going for a size 6. I'll be happy with a size 8."

Bertinelli will shoot a new ad for Jenny Craig every month as she loses the weight. It is her first major step back into the public eye for the stay at home mom, whose last big TV role was back in 2003 on Touch by an Angel.

I’m happy to see someone who has realistic goals in the spotlight. Isn’t it funny how Jenny Craig chooses overweight celebrities to lose weight for their product publicly when diet pills choose celebrities who are already skinny like Carmen Elektra to represent them? Just another thought as to why I believe pills are a waste of money…

As for season 5 of “Celebrity Fit Club,” viewers can expect to see tons of whining from the female side, former idol contestant Kimberly Lock, 80’s pop star Tiffany, Marcia Brady herself, Maureen McCormick (also former bulimic), and rapper/actress Da Brat. Likewise rounding out the men’s side of the pack, media hungry Screech Powers, Dustin Diamond, rapper/producer Warren G, Ross “The Intern” from The Tonight Show with Jey Leno, and Cledus T. Judd, singer/comedian from Nashville Star.

Personally, I don’t like this show. I think it’s boring and the celebrities are B-list who just want to get back in the Hollywood gossip ring, case in point Dustin Diamond and Maureen McCormick. Diamond released a disgusting sex tape and McCormick admitted her past struggles with drugs and an eating disorder. If you are celebrity, you have the resources to hire a trainer yourself and pay top notch dollar for a diet program. You do not need cameras. For this reason, I find this show is not very successful in getting their contestants to shed the pounds, unlike The Biggest Loser.

April 4, 2007