Physical regimen Empress Elisabeth of Austria

equestrian portrait of elisabeth @ possenhofen castle, 1853

at 172 cm (5 feet 8 inches), elisabeth unusually tall. after 4 pregnancies maintained weight @ approximately 50 kg (110 pounds, 7 st 12 lbs) rest of life. achieved through fasting , exercise.

elisabeth attached parents, mother, , still child in search of identity of own when adult role unusual obligations , restrictions imposed upon her. had no control in new life , unable identify herself both spouse of emperor , young mother. result, attempted recreate childhood lack of obligations. quality felt herself appreciated, , on had control, physical appearance, started cultivating primary source of self-esteem. obsessively achievement-oriented , compulsively perfectionistic in attitudes, became slave own beauty , image.

in deep mourning after daughter sophie s death, elisabeth refused eat days; behavior reappear in later periods of melancholy , depression. whereas had supper family, began avoid this; , if did eat them, ate , little. whenever weight threatened exceed fifty kilos, fasting cure or hunger cure follow, involved complete fasting. meat filled disgust, either had juice of half-raw beefsteaks squeezed thin soup, or else adhered diet of milk , eggs.

elisabeth emphasised extreme slenderness through practice of tight-lacing . during peak period of 1859–60, coincided franz-joseph s political , military defeats in italy, sexual withdrawal husband after 3 pregnancies in rapid succession, , losing battle mother-in-law dominance in rearing children, reduced waist 16 inches in circumference. corsets of time split-busk types, fastening front hooks , eyes, elisabeth had more rigid, solid-front ones made in paris out of leather, of parisian courtesans , hold under stress of such strenuous lacing, proceeding took quite hour . fact wore them few weeks may indicate leather proved inadequate needs. elisabeth s defiant flaunting of exaggerated dimension angered mother-in-law, expected pregnant continuously.

although on return vienna in august 1862, lady-in-waiting reported “she eats properly, sleeps well, , not tight-lace more”, clothing time until death still measured 18 1/2 – 19 1/2 inches around waist, prompted prince of hesse describe “almost inhumanly slender.” developed horror of fat women , transmitted attitude youngest daughter, terrified when, little girl, first met queen victoria.

in youth elisabeth followed fashions of age, many years cage-crinolined hoop skirts, when fashion began change, @ forefront of abandoning hoop skirt tighter , leaner silhouette. disliked both expensive accoutrements , protocol dictated constant changes of clothing, preferring simple, monochromatic riding habit-like attire. never wore petticoats or other underlinen , added bulk, , literally sewn clothes, bypass waistbands, creases, , wrinkles , further emphasize wasp waist became hallmark.

the empress developed extremely rigorous , disciplined exercise habits. every castle lived in equipped gymnasium, knights hall of hofburg converted one, mats , balance beams installed in bedchamber practise on them each morning, , imperial villa @ ischl fitted gigantic mirrors correct every movement , position. took fencing in 50s equal discipline. fervent horsewoman, rode every day hours on end, becoming world s best, best-known, female equestrian @ time. when, due sciatica, no longer endure long hours in saddle, substituted walking, subjecting attendants interminable marches , hiking tours in weather.

in last years of life, elisabeth became more restless , obsessive, weighing herself 3 times day. regularly took steam baths prevent weight gain; 1894 had wasted away near emaciation, reaching lowest point of 95.7 lbs (43.5 kg). there aberrations in elisabeth s diet appear signs of binge eating, on 1 occasion in 1878 empress astonished travelling companions when unexpectedly visited restaurant incognito, drank champagne, ate broiled chicken , italian salad, , finished considerable quantity of cake . may have satisfied urge binge in secret on other occasions; in 1881 purchased english country house , had spiral staircase built living room kitchen, reach in private.