In recent months, Richards has opened up about her sobriety journey, sharing the physical and mental impact her decision to abstain from alcohol has had on her.
“Which one is the mom and which one is the daughter cause all I see are twins!” one user said.
“Wow! I had to do a double take. You definitely look like siblings. Haha - you look amazing,” said another.
One fan complimented Richards, saying she looked “happy.”“Alexia and you look like sisters. You look awesome Kyle, you look happy.”
On July 18, Kyle Richards celebrated two years of being alcohol-free.
“This week was my 2 year anniversary of being alcohol free (July 15th) I can remember a time when the idea of going 2 weeks seemed impossible. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve had the willpower to stay on this path.”
Richards said her biggest challenge was peer pressure from her friends. She realized she wouldn’t have the support she hoped for, she said.
“I know many people would love for me to start drinking again,” she continued. “Even friends with the best of intentions. Everyone loved ‘Party Kyle’. I think that was the hardest part of all of this. The resistance from others. The old me, the people pleaser, did struggle with that aspect of it. And I realized right away that I wasn’t going to have a ton of encouragement.”
The “Halloween” star’s priorities remained on her mental and physical wellbeing. Once she started seeing results, it became an incentive for her to push on.
“But I’ve dropped enough splits and whipped enough pony tails to know when it’s time to call it a day (ok, I may still drop a split here and there. Sorry),” she added. “But my mental and physical health became a lot more important to me than feeling like I had to be ‘on’ at a party or social setting. I’m not going to lie ... the fact that I looked better because I wasn’t drinking was also an incentive to not veer from the road I am on.”
Richards says her “real reward” is how she feels internally.
“I feel strong, energetic and grateful for my body. I want to take care of it like it has taken care of me.”
“It would have been a lot harder going through these difficult times if I had been drinking,” she said. “I want to wake up every day feeling my best. Mentally & physically strong enough to face whatever comes my way.”
The television personality shared that several people told her she has “inspired them to start their own alcohol free journey.”
“That makes me happy and inspires me in return. So, thank you for that,” she said. “I often think of the Ernest Hemingway quote ‘I drink to make other people more interesting.’”
Overcoming Challenges
Richards’s recent celebration post wasn’t the first time she shared about how abstaining from alcohol has impacted her life.In January, Richards shared a glimpse of her birthday trip to Mexico, where she is seen practicing yoga stunts while a trainer lifts the actress in the air with her feet.
“This last year has been challenging but I am grateful that I have the strength to do the things that make me feel good,” she continued. “I have always been my worst critic but now I am appreciative of my body and all that it has carried me through.”
Richards said her ability to feel well physically is a “gift” that she greatly appreciates.
“To wake up feeling physically good every day is a gift I don’t take for granted. I am feeling extra grateful for my family & friends,” she added. “Thank you all for your birthday wishes.”
