Elizabeth Takes Off

by Elizabeth Taylor

Recounts her transformation from screen goddess to overweight celebrity, discusses the courage and perseverance it took to regain her figure and self-esteem, and summarizes her personal diet and exercise system

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography, Health, Self Help

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, DBE is a two-time Academy Award-winning English-American actress. Known for her acting skills and beauty, as well as her Hollywood lifestyle, including many marriages, she is considered one of the great actresses of Hollywood’s golden years, as well as a larger-than-life celebrity.

The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time.

Taylor died on March 23, 2011, surrounded by her four children at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 79.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBH, I read this after listening to the Maintenance Phase episode covering the book, curious to see what Liz's story really was. Her diet is pretty common for the time it was written, all low fat, low carb. Items such as skinless chicken breast and steamed veggies. But she does insist, as do nutritionists, that you eat colorful fruits and vegetables and lean protein, and limit your sweets and starches. Nothing that unusual, although her ability as a celebrity to afford the fancier foods meant that her cookbook recommends dishes such as crab and lobster that we plebes may find a bit out of the normal weekday menu.

The real "meat" of this memoir/diet book is the first half, and Liz's discussion of her childhood, many loves and marriages, and many disappointments and emotional issues. These chapters are meant to give the reader/future dieter an understanding of Elizabeth's struggles around her weight and how she dealt successfully with them, *and you can too!*.

My hot take is that yes, she does hate being fat, and she does demonstrate a level of fat phobia and fat shaming, mostly of herself but occasionally of other unnamed women. Yet she also counsels the dieter to set reasonable goals, be kind to yourself, allow a few cheat meals, rally one's support network, and love yourself because "...you are the only judge and jury. You have to answer only to yourself so ease up on the prosecution and hurry over to the defense". Pretty decent advice, I'd say.

This book is hardly the worst diet book I've ever read, some of those being much more recent visions of disordered eating than this fairly innocuous celebrity diet. It's unlikely most would stick to this low-calorie diet for long, but at least it focuses on the dieter getting their nutrition from real foods, not just a handful of vitamins and a protein shake.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m unsure of what to think about this book. At its best, it’s an interesting introspection by someone who lived through the ‘glamour’ of Old Hollywood first-hand and didn’t come out unscathed (there are a good handful of mentions of her drink and pills addiction).

There’s a great deal of sympathy for those struggling with their weight, although this is intertwined with horrible remarks about herself (she may have lost the weight, but she never forgave herself).

If you want to read a full biography on Liz or get a good guide on nutrition, this book is neither. And yet, if you find yourself a cheap copy and are curious about the violet-eyed enchantress, why not?

[CJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ordered this book from Paperback Swap shortly after Ms. Taylor died. I guess I was looking for a biography or something that would talk about her incredible life. What I got was a lecture about how if you eat too much you disappear into suet + recipes for her favorite diet foods. Not interested.

[Katherine Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this purely for entertainment purposes since her 1000 calories a day is a restrictive diet that is probably considered unhealthy for the average person. It's the memoir part of the book that has intrigued me and I was curiously to read about the stories behind the headlines from Taylor's perspective. She didn't talk too much about the details of her marriages but only that she didn't seem to regret any of the things she did. I find Taylor to have been quite attached to her looks, what other people thought of her and how many complimented on her beauty - she seemed quite vain but what could you except from a woman who grew up in the spotlight of Hollywood where one's worth is solely judged by the outside packaging. In her fiftieth, Taylor knew she could no longer rely only on beauty and became more active in worthy causes such as the fight against AIDS. I suppose it takes one to lose looks and youth to turn to more productive endeavors, but I suppose better late than never.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always knew I had an affinity with Elizabeth Taylor! Her advice and experience spoke directly to me. She definately knows what she is talking about. Will put it into practice now. Thanks E.P. (R.I.P.)

[Katie]

So good.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I like her mindset and the way she writes, and I even found her dieting advice pretty valuable! It was just fun to read!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabeth Taylor didn’t write a memoir, so I just have this instead lmao. Being a weight-loss book, it is very focused on well. Weight loss/ body image, but Liz’s distinctive voice and conviction shines through the pages. So down to earth yet accomplished! She’s definitely a role model.
It also offers brief reflections on movie stardom and childhood, as half of the book is rather semi-autobiographical. Liz also has a very nice approach to self image and confidence! I love her tremendously.
The dieting advice and recipes themselves are… though… ehhh. Liz knows what she’s talking about more than those idiotic crash paleo-keto-whatever the fuck diet “doctors” who just spew pseudo-scientific crap at you without understanding basic laws of conservation (calories!) and she understands some concepts of long term health and volumeeating. She’s also perceptive enough to tell you to consult actual doctors. On the other hand, an average day in her diet consists of around 1000 calories, and I think that’s not really healthy for the vast majority of people. Especially young girls!! Never go below 1200 calories, I don’t care if you’re 4’11!

[Cynthia Bemis Abrams · Rating 4 out of 5]

With eyes wide open and a knowledge of Taylor's bio, I read this because her weight really was an issue throughout the 70s and 80s. She writes of discipline, self-esteem and confidence in the voice of a generation for whom a lot of those mindsets were intertwined and not always in a good way.

Yet she also writes in a progressive tone about wellness, forgiveness and knowledge of herself, not just the public person. However, it's clear she had more work done than just the dieting it took for her to return to a size 6 and 120 lbs. In 1987, I guess she didn't feel she could be that forthcoming or transparent. It's a snapshot of the time and in Taylor's voice, a reminder that hers was not always an easy life, but she did live it well.

FWIW, this inscription definitely adds perspective and context to Taylor's message and audience. My used copy was originally given as a gift "To my wife with all my love. Happy Valentines Day, 1988 Husband James."

[Ilena Holder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a kick out of this book. Imagine (!!!!!) a big movie star admitting she got FAT. and even better, how she LOST the weight! it was a hoot. The book became a big seller as I remember. She was the first celebritity I think that told something different than they usually do. She talked like a normal woman who let her weight get away from her. Of course, La Liz had solutions in the book that were pretty good (and common sense) that anybody could follow. She also had help by certain chefs and big name restaurants helping her in her trek to Skinny land.

[S S · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Elizabeth Takes Off" is an inspiring and candid memoir and diet book by Elizabeth Taylor that chronicles her personal journey towards health and self-discovery through her massive and necessary weight loss in the 1980’s. Taylor's honest reflections on her struggles and triumphs make this book both relatable and motivational. Her wit, resilience, and determination shine through every page, offering readers valuable life lessons and a deep appreciation for her strength. This memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking weight loss inspiration from one of Hollywood's most iconic stars

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our writer shares her life story in the first half of the book. Juicy details of all of her marriages and reasons for her varied lifestyles and habits were shared. Then she goes into the diet portion of her book, sharing the recipes she used and exercises she completed. Dated at times as she used the term “fatties” quite often when discussing herself before losing the weight and others who are obese; I still enjoyed the book. The photos are also fun.

[Bookworm Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I got the wrong book this one was entertaining to say the least lol she definitely didn't mind calling a fatty a fatty....especially if that fatty was her. The first half the book was memoirish so that was nice. I didn't read every single recipe lol steak with peanut butter on it?@ I still can't wrap my mind around that one.

[emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

the insight into her life was nice, the first part was the most enjoyable. the rest aged like spoiled milk, miss liz why are we feeding the people 1000 calories a day ?!?!? always captivated by the woman that she is and what she accomplished, especially her humanitarian efforts, but good god.

[Penny Fleckenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome ! It was easy to read.

[George Rebar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liz Taylor was very beautiful lady and this book tells you a little about how she maintained that beauty.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how one begins rating a diet book that you read somewhat tongue-in-cheek out of respect and curiosity of the fabulous Elizabeth Taylor.

That being said, Liz is a fascinating case study because her fatness and appetites were center stage all of her life, playing a part in her identity even when she was thin, famously eating hamburgers and drink gallons of jack Daniels while jetsetting around the world with Richard, gaining weight purposefully for Whose Afraid, having paparazzi analyze her body more than royalty or politicians.

There's so much more I want to know about her appetites, her consumption, her joys. Her attitude towards Richard is very "it was fun while it lasted". The reality is those two had a deep love and passion for each other than could not be sustained through either of their addictions. There's so much more under the surface there. I view addiction, consumption, body image and sense of self as all parts of the same enchilada called having a human fucking body that needs to do stuff. It's all connected to our brains, our traumas, misogyny and our sexualities and fears and our loves. Someone should write a book on that, and I wish Liz could contribute.

But! Does this book satisfy some of my curiosities about what makes me favorite old broad tick? Absolutely. And does it also satisfy my desire to chortle at old diet recipes suggesting I mix cottage cheese with cubed melon and then do water aerobics? Yes.

Does it fulfill my need to get to the bottom of how we view female consumption, whether in the form of sex, food or blood (rage) and rebuild that for a more luscious, accepting and less self hating next 100? No, but this broad is a proto pioneer in more ways than are inherently obvious. The almost joyful way she comes up with a million different nicknames to disparage her size is both a symptom of a society that hates fat and a sign that Liz was just itching to call herself a fat person with no holds barred the way fat activists now are finally feeling free to. I don't think she knew that, but I think it's there. Ironically this bitch who called herself John De Large woulda been Lizzos biggest advocate in 2022.

[Kricket · Rating 3 out of 5]

my dear friend sara recommended this book to me after i expressed delight at the made-for-tv film "liz & dick" featuring lindsay lohan. indeed, i spent many happy minutes poring over the recipes in this book, which are filled with mayonnaise and artificial sweetener. also hamburger on toast with peanut butter (!!!!).

here is a good article to read in conjunction with this book:

http://nymag.com/thecut/2012/08/the-l...

i had to kind of skim through liz actually writing about her weight throughout her life to find fun tidbits like her talent for predicting horrible accidents. also the pictures are really fun.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect that Elizabeth Taylor's being so beautiful took a lot of pressure off her to be interesting. She sounds like a regular woman you might know who has recently lost some weight and has some tips to share.

There were a few memorable statements in this book:

"My sense of right and wrong make it very difficult for me to have an affair."

"I've never thought of myself as beautiful."

"I loved every second of puberty."

Most curious of all, in each of her steak and hamburger recipes Taylor recommends topping the meat with a layer of peanut butter.

[karinajean · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was about 2/3 autobiography complete with glossy photos, and 1/3 diet advice and terrible recipe book. I really enjoyed it, I didn't know anything about Liz before and she really comes across as a warm, glowing, wonderful person. Also because she's done so much addiction recovery work she's hugely honest about why she abused food, which was interesting and a big surprise.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her struggle with weight and how she lost 50 lbs (plus recipes.)