Beachbody programs results...

Francl27

Ok, probably a dumb question but... do they really offer anything in term of results, compared to good old weight lifting, cardio and sensible eating?

I mean, I've done a few. Some I followed pretty well (Slim in 6, Chalene Extreme), others I mostly did the hardest DVDs 3 times a week (Les Mills Pump). I never noticed any spectacular result. Yes, I lost weight, but I was eating at a deficit anyway. I actually lost a bit of muscle when I was doing Pump. I mean, I keep seeing those 'before and after' pictures and I can't help thinking that there's just no way they got that much toned doing 2 months of cardio (because really, most of their workouts are cardio, right?)... I mean, would it be different than burning the same amount of calories doing something else?

I'm interested in Piyo but can't help thinking I'll probably lose muscle mass if I do this and don't lift any weights for those 60 days (I use 45 pounds dumbbells). At the same time, I'm so bored with my workouts right now (lifting weight 20 minutes 3x a week and walking/biking 1.5 hour most days), I could use a change... but I can't help wondering if it's actually going to do anything more for me.

Basically, my question is... what kind of results can you really expect from those programs? Assuming a 200-300 deficit or eating at maintenance.