I did BFL for 12 weeks. It's a great program for the beginning, or just getting back into weight training person. It uses the principals of pyramiding and working to failure, without a ton of exercises for each body part. Basically, you do 2 exercises (6 sets) in pyramid fashion per body part. One week you work legs twice and upper body once. The next week you work upper body twice and legs once. Etc. etc. You do 3 short, but intense interval cardio. The nutrition is sound. The program encourages you to change up your exercises every 4 weeks so your body doesn't get used to what your doing and quit responding.
I had great success with the program. I now do a more advanced workout, but I pretty much keep up the nutrition ideas.
I'd say, if you've never lifted before and want something laid out for you that is easy to follow and you're willing to work hard.......you should have some good results at the end of 12 weeks.
By the way, I never entered the contest. I just did the program.