Jealous of body transformation pics? Don’t believe everything you see

We are constantly bombarded with amazing before and after shots in ads online – usually trying to sell us a dodgy diet product.

Before you get too jealous however, some Instagrammers have revealed just how easy it is to fake these kinds of shots.

Using a combination of lighting, angles and good old fashion sucking in their stomachs, you can look like you’ve been in a six month bootcamp in just seconds.

The fake transformation shots were started by a Melbourne based fitness trainer called Mel, who wanted to highlight the difference between the media images we are presented and normal bodies.

“I want to make it clear that there are definitely some very impressive, genuine physical transformations out there,” Mel explained.

"What I do take issue with are the transformations that are manipulated with Photoshop, professional lighting, postures to degrade or enhance their look, pro tans, sucking in or pushing out a bloated belly or flexing muscles vs. not flexing to obtain an optimal look."

What Mel wants to promote is lifelong health and fitness, not the crash diets and exercise regimes that unrealistic before and after shots encourage.

“Forget about the quick transformations and focus on a life of healthy eating, well-managed stress levels, quality sleep and plenty of movement. Spend time with people who have similar goals and values and take time to appreciate yourself the way you are right now. Don't beat yourself up if you eat a cookie, just enjoy that cookie and everything else life has to offer."

Bravo!