Mamamia Team Thursday 17 May 2012 8:31am

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Toilet paper rags.

That’s how The Avengers actress Scarlett Johansson has described the “irresponsible” tabloid media who obsess over celebrity weight.

Had enough of the false ideals sold to readers and she wrote a blog post for The Huffington Post detailing why the media obsession needs to stop.

It’s really worth a read.

Scarlett Johansson

Claims have been made that I’ve been on a strict workout routine regulated by co-stars, whipped into shape by trainers I’ve never met, eating sprouted grains I can’t pronounce and ultimately losing 14 pounds off my 5’3″ frame. Losing 14 pounds out of necessity in order to live a healthier life is a huge victory. I’m a petite person to begin with, so the idea of my losing this amount of weight is utter lunacy. If I were to lose 14 pounds, I’d have to part with both arms. And a foot. I’m frustrated with the irresponsibility of tabloid media who sell the public ideas about what we should look like and how we should get there.

While she admits to having to get into shape for the role, she said she’s “never been considered a gym rat” and “enjoys a grilled cheese as much as the next person.” But you wouldn’t know that if you only read the tabloids.

While training for an upcoming film, I’ve come to this conclusion: chin ups are near impossible and lunges suck. There is no magic wand to wave over oneself to look good in a latex catsuit. Eating healthy and getting fit is about commitment, determination, consistency and the dedication to self-preservation. While I’ve never been considered a gym rat, I have, in fact, worked up a sweat in the name of cardio before, and although I enjoy a grilled cheese as much as the next person, I combine the not-so-good foods I crave with an all-around balanced diet.

People come in all shapes and sizes and everyone has the capability to meet their maximum potential. Once filming is completed, I’ll no longer need to rehash the 50 ways to lift a dumbbell, but I’ll commit to working out at least 30 minutes a day and eating a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables and lean proteins. Pull ups, crunches, lunges, squats, jumping jacks, planks, walking, jogging and push ups are all exercises that can be performed without fancy trainers or gym memberships. I’ve realized through this process that no matter how busy my life may be, I feel better when I take a little time to focus on staying active. We can all pledge to have healthy bodies no matter how diverse our lifestyles may be.

With “as many as 10 million females and 1 million males living in the US are fighting a life and death battle with anorexia or bulimia,” its ludicrous to suggest celebrities can lose an impossible amount of weight with any kind of crash diet. Headlines like “They Were Flabby and Now They’re Flat!” help no one.

I believe it’s reckless and dangerous for these publications to sell the story that these are acceptable ways to looking like a “movie star.” It’s great to get tips on how to lead a healthier lifestyle, but I don’t want some imaginary account of “How She Did It!” I get into and stay in shape by eating a proper diet and maintaining a healthy amount of exercise. The press should be held accountable for the false ideals they sell to their readers regarding body image — that’s the real weight of the issue.

She says the public is lead to believe the only way to lose weight is to be in the middle of a nervous breakdown or have a bitter dispute with an ex. Which is entirely untrue. “People come in all shapes and sizes and everyone has the capability to meet their maximum potential.”

In the end, she writes:

The concept of ‘Stars Are Just Like Us!” makes us feel connected to lifestyles that can sometime seem out of this world. Yes, celebrities are just like us. They struggle with demons and overcome obstacles and have annoying habits and battle vices. That said, I would be absolutely mortified to discover that some 15-year-old girl in Kansas City read one of these “articles” and decided she wasn’t going to eat for a couple of weeks so she too could “crash diet” and look like Scarlett Johansson.

I’m not normally the type to dignify toilet paper rags with a response, but in this case I feel it’s my responsibility to comment. In a way, I’m glad some dummy journalist (and I use the term “journalist” loosely) is banking on my “deflating” so that I can address the issue straight from my healthy heart.

Amen.

You can read the full post at The Huffington Post.

Scarlett Johansson

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