Nia Vardalos Opens Up About Pressure to Lose 40 Pounds

"I am embarrassed to be in the position of answering questions about my body again. On the publicity tour of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I was asked over and over again, if, as the writer, I felt it was a fair depiction of real life to have someone of my er, below average looks, hook up with hottie John Corbett.

"It's been years, and I have sat through many a movie like Sideways, where nobody blinks an eye when Paul Giamatti gets together with gorgeous Virginia Madsen. And, then Knocked Up...well, the visual of Seth Rogan on top of Katherine Heigl made me put the popcorn down and reach for my purse. Not because I was grossed out, but because I knew the film was about to stop and Ashton Kutcher would now jump out and go 'Aha, you've been Punk'd, that would never happen.' I waited. But no Ashton. The film went on. And many a reviewer, who probably look like sweet Seth (yes, even the women) gave it a thumbs up."

She makes such a good point. Hollywood double standard is out of control. Overweight sloppy men are always hooking up with hotties. More examples:

• King of Queens
• According to Jim
• Yes, Dear

Nia Vardalos Talks About Her Weight Wake-Up Call

"I'm not one of those people that can suddenly start running and hire a Pilates trainer, it's just not my thing," says Vardalos. "The walks helped clear my head. I was weighing myself once a week, just trying not to be obsessive about it. I just wanted to feel better; I wanted to feel healthy."

Reducing her caloric intake by half, Vardalos also routinely tried on her clothes to keep herself motivated. "I would just stand naked in my closet and try things on," she says. "I didn't want it to be about losing weight, or what I looked like, but how I felt. The reward was how much energy I was gaining every single day. I could feel myself coming out of my period of grief. I felt refreshed."

Nia Vardalos took a simplistic and healthier approach to her weight loss that can be achieved by the "people at home". More celebrities should get a handle on their weight issues in a balanced way like this.

Nia Vardalos Explains How She Lost 40 Lbs.

The My Big Fat Greek Wedding actress shed 40 lbs. with diet, exercise – and some tough sacrifices.

"I broke up with cheese," Vardalos recently told PEOPLE. "I always say like cheese keeps calling me and trying to get me to meet at a cheap motel but I'm really committed to just staying single for awhile."

Here is another starlet who cuts out a whole food groups to lose weight. Hollywood is crazy and should be avoided when looking for diet advice.