Patricia Heaton celebrates 3 years of 'freedom' from alcohol

close

Video

Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for July 10

Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment.

Actress Patricia Heaton shared a video Saturday with some news about reaching a personal milestone. The star told her more than 400,000 Twitter followers that she was celebrating three years of "freedom from alcohol."

"It’s July when we celebrate our nation’s freedom. Also celebrating three years of freedom from alcohol for me," the "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress says in a video – while working up a sweat on a 3.5-mile hike. 

"So, just wanted to share that with you. And message me if any of you are thinking about doing that, any of you are doing that now and need some encouragement or anything at all. Have a great day." 

Heaton, 63, has been focusing on her health and fitness in recent years, including trying to swim 50 laps four to five times a week. She was also on a low-carb, high-fat diet, she told Parade magazine last year. 

The Ohio native explained she decided to give up alcohol in 2018 because she found she was starting to enjoy it a little too much. 

PATRICIA HEATON SAYS HER FOUR SONS STILL HAVEN'T WATCHED ‘EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND’

"I miss it terribly, but at the end of the day, I feel better," she told the magazine. "I noticed that I was looking forward every night to cocktails. And if I happened to go to lunch, I might have a glass of wine or Prosecco."

She said statistics show that women who drink moderately in their 30s and 40s can sometimes slip into alcoholism as they get older.

Patricia Heaton is seen in New York City, May 15, 2019. (Getty Images)

"I think it’s something about your children leaving the house and the things that used to anchor you are no longer there," she said at the time. "You’re a little bit at sea, and so you reach for the bottle to dull the uncertainty. I sensed that a bit with myself. … I’ve stopped [drinking], and my life has improved significantly. My kids are in their mid-20s and I’ll probably be in my 70s by the time I have grandchildren. I want to be healthy for them."

Heaton also published a book last year called, "Your Second Act: Inspiring Stories of Reinvention," in which she wrote about taking more time for herself and her passions as an empty-nester. Heaton's husband is British actor and director David Hunt.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

She also recently starred in the short-lived series, "Carol’s Second Act," about a mom who pursues her dream of becoming a doctor. The show ran from 2019-2020. 

Before that, she played hilariously flustered wives Frankie Heck in "The Middle" from 2009-2018 and Debra Barone in "Everybody Loves Raymond" from 1996-2005.