When fitness guru Bill Phillips created his Body For Life program, he likely never dreamed in a million years that his 12-week plan for mental and physical transformation would turn into a movement that has reshaped millions of people's bodies.

The striking BEFORE and AFTER photos speak volumes - they are evidence that the transition from gluttonous to gorgeous can be accomplished with Phillip's rigorous plan. If you are up for the challenge, you even have the opportunity to compete in the annual Body For Life challenge, which gives up to $1 million to the most drastic body makeover. The principal couldn't be more simplistic -- eat less and burn more through exercise.

It is crucial to remember that Body For Life isn't for the faint at heart. If you are not into an aggressive fitness program, this isn't the plan for you. Exercise is a huge component when following Body For Life. You will weight train intensely on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for no more than 46 minutes. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, you'll perform 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, first thing in the morning before you eat.

You'll alternate training of the major muscles between the upper and lower body. The first week, you will train the upper body on Monday, lower body on Wednesday and upper body on Friday. The second week, you'll train the lower body on Monday, the upper body on Wednesday and the lower body on Friday.

You will perform two exercises for each major muscle group of the upper body, which includes chest, shoulders, back, triceps and biceps. For the lower body work the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Train the abs after the lower body.