2014 Challenge

Checking in for the week, really good week with few negative thought. Hope everyone is doing good.

Checking in.

Better week with less negative thoughts.

Still gambling free.

Keep strong everyone

LG

Hi all

Really late to check in

Sorry Mr B forgot how many days but still gamble free

Enjoy the bank holiday

Julio

Morning everyone,

A tough week for me but one that’s been blessed by a large number of you passing on words of encouragement and support - I can’t tell you what it’s meant. I’ve spent a lot of my week travelling from home to work to home to hospital to work to home……..and so it went on. It basically started a week past Thursday with a phone call to tell me that the mother of someone very close to my heart was in hospital having suffered a ruptured aneurysm. She survived the night, was operated on during the Friday and for those of you with medical knowledge (mine has grown rapidly in the last week) is now battling with vasospasm as a result of the subarachnoid haemorrhage that typically comes after a ruptured aneurysm. The woman is the mother of my wee brother’s oldest son (my nephew) - he’s 16 and having lost his dad in 2009 is now staying with me while his mum hopefully recovers. He is coping while she is improving and with God’s blessing she will make it through and be fully recovered in the near future. I’m so glad that gambling isn’t a part of my life any more - there’s enough to focus on and worry about than having the additional burden of a dark secret!

While I’ve not really had the time to respond to a lot of posts this week, I have of course been watching while you guys have bounced things around, offered support to each other and continued to fight the good fight against gambling…….it’s been great to see!

There are many reasons to be cheerful this week and before I go into the standard update I’m going to call them out…….Gladsdad - this should form part of your “mental cuddle”!!

Drew2002 - it’s been an absolute pleasure marching with you soldier, but when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. I’ve checked you in for the last time but after today you will join a small elite of soldiers (call it the special team!) who are out on individual missions! It’s fitting that you depart on 147 days………I’m very confident that it won’t be your maximum break!! I’m so glad that the Challenge has served its purpose and played a role in your recovery. You know where we are if you need to re-fuel or need an energy boost at some point. Guard up special agent!

Stupid! - apologies for not mentioning you before now - feels weird calling someone Stupid!........we all feel it at times I guess! Welcome to the challenge, please ensure you’re aware of the check in asks and also read through some of the updates that have gone before to get some great hints and tips from the surveys we’ve conducted.

Holidays - I’ve been taking note of those who have been on holiday and who are currently - it’s really helpful to know! There’s one or two this week who have “exhausted” their requested check ins and who aren’t with us this week……hopefully a good sign! The Scottish schools are now fully back into the swing of an academic year and I don’t think it’s long before the rest of the UK join them………..in a way, that’s maybe another hurdle we’ve overcome!

Positivity - some amazing positivity this week in the face of huge challenge……….NoCrisis, Mileend, StoneRoses…….it’s fantastic to see the way you have bounced back from recent setbacks…….but it’s really made me ask the question, “are they really setbacks?”……….or are they really part of a process that takes you one step closer to total liberation from gambling? One that allows you take another piece of control, know your issue more intimately and most importantly put another barrier in place that sets you up for success. The fact that you’re still with us tells me how dedicated you are to stopping - I know you are all going to get there! Stephen2105…….it’s been a bumpy road for you soldier and just amazing to see you approach the month - very very proud mate!

Wolfgang - a quick shout out for you……….it’s been one of the hardest thing you’ll deal with on the journey, but having celebrated 20 weeks free this week in the face of everything that’s happened in your world recently speaks loudly of the man you are. Lou must be very proud of you for continuing to win through and I’m pretty sure her mum will be too.

Skippyblue - welcome back to the group! I read a post just this week in which you spoke about not wanting to let your partner down again……and I wondered in your absence whether that had happened - obviously not! I guess I’m not expecting regular check ins from you (if you can then that would be great!) but delighted that you are managing to abstain and march on!

Missing Soldiers - there’s a group of 7 this week who haven’t managed to check in - markieb I know is doing ok having checked in on 40 days on his own diary (superb!), onlineplayer I’m confident will still be marching, D70 and Strange……..pretty sure you guys will be in the same place too. Chirst21 I think will just have forgotten again this week (bad man - set an alarm!). However, I’m a bit worried about GamAddict and Sparky - let us know how you are doing folks…….a set back is only a set back if you get right back on it and continue to fight…….read the roller coaster analogy from last Sunday’s update! Looking forward to seeing check ins coming from you guys again this week!

Life’s Volume vs Gambling Volume - we’ll update the numbers on our volumes in the coming weeks, but the references to Life’s Volume this week and how that is drowning out the negative music in our lives was so amazing to see……….to those of you who are marching to beat and rhythm of life now………don’t ever apologise for not being on as often as you used to…….it’s a graduation to your new world! May the music continue to be loud, to be louder............and if you ever get the temptation just to start dancing in the street then please get someone to video it and let us know where we can watch it!!

……..and finally………there’s 20-25 of the group who I know that I know that I know have broken through and are going to make it - they are the very heartbeat of this army. You are an inspiration and come the 31st December this year you are all going to close out 2014 and enter a new year with hope, excitement, new dreams and an ability to plan a future free from gambling! Woop Woop!

And onto this week’s update……..sorry for the long introduction, I’ve found it really cathartic to just write some things down and feel connected to the group again! I’ll keep it snappy this week and run through headlines, milestones and the roll of honour!

Headlines for the Week!

We’ve seen a slight reduction in the army this week, with 7 of the 39 strong group who began the week not managing to check in. However, with 4 added between missing and new soldiers we find ourselves with an army of 36 heading into the new week. Retention was a wee bit low at 82% but we are each carrying big numbers of average days at a record high of 133 days each, we have broken through 13 years of collective abstinence and the Challenge has now delivered more than 25 years of gamble free days. It’s interesting to note that the current group make up a third of the total numbers of soldiers who have marched at some point this year in the Challenge…….but our collective days account for more than half of total days delivered. If you ever needed proof that we are the core of this challenge then that is it!!

Milestones Celebrated this Week……………

Here are the soldiers who reached some big milestones in the past week:-

Bornagain and Happy Days both reached 250 days in the week and are heading towards double digits of days before the countdown to the full year of abstinence commences!

Hitthefan broke through the double Century! More than 200 days now HTF!! Superb going!!

ToBeOrNot has defeated half a year of no gambling now - hope to hear from you soon Laura!

Shorty8 clocked up 150 days on the journey - you’ve come such a long way soldier, congratulations!

Wolfgang and Gladsdad both celebrated 20 weeks free……extra special mental and virtual hugs for you guys!

Fitzy celebrates quarter of a year without gambling - looking forward to seeing you check in as one of our next Century Club member in a couple of weeks!

SuzyLemon has reached the landmark double digits of weeks free - over 70 days now Suzy - go girl! A run of big milestones coming up!

Milestones to be Celebrated in the coming week……..

Monday 25th August - Pinky333 will hit double digits of weeks as she clocks up 70 days!

Tuesday 26th August - Daz71 becomes our newest Century Club member as the 100 days free moment arrives!! Awesome!! mjc1974 lands on quarter of a year free…….must be feeling good girl and the family must be so so proud!!

Friday 29th August - John64 joins mjc on quarter of a year as well - brilliant going John…..the Century is fast approaching!

Saturday 30th August - rstxxxtogo hits the double digit of weeks while hopefully enjoying an incredible holiday!

Sunday 31st August - we mark the end of the second third of the year by joining Lady Baggins as she takes the crown of hitting exactly half a year of abstinence!! You better be saving the pennies for the get together early next year……biggest of hugs reserved for you girl!!

The Roll of Honour………

Here’s the list of soldiers and cleans days for this week:-

Name Days Clean

bornagain 250

Happy Days 255

lostafortune 170

Mr Brightside 259

Del79 377

rst187togo 64

Hitthefan 204

luckygirl 129

Baggins 175

ToBeOrNot 184

triangle 164

Scambling 260

NoCrisis 16

ringerbell 164

delboygolf 157

Drew2002 147

Gladsdad 141

Pinky333 69

Wolfgang 145

help2604 110

Shorty8 155

julio 172

Daz71 98

John64 86

Mileend 14

Fitzy 91

Stephen2105 26

Wolf57 80

richy 244 287

StoneRoses 3

Elfie17 62

SuzyLemon 73

mjc1974 89

ccw95 10 24

Stupid! 8

skippyblue 77

Drum roll………total days free of gambling since the Challenge began……….

9348 Days = 0.4674 million GBP in our pockets………………..0 GBP in the bookies!!!

That’s the update for this week everyone…..slightly different and a bit of a monologue, but humour me please, it’s helped! I’ll try to be on a bit more in the coming week……but my boss is on holiday now so I have a plant to run, hospitals to visit etc. so I’ll not be too hard on myself if I don’t manage on too much!!

Have a fantastic week everyone, be careful if you are ice bucket challenging and get those check ins done!

Last word…….all the best Drew2002……..you know where we are and you’ll never walk alone!! (Apologies to all Rangers and Man U fans! Lol!)

Mr Brightside

PS.......over to you Steve 🙂

Morning all

Thank you Mr B for another warming update..

My thoughts are with you and your family.. I hope all works out ok and life can get back to as near perfect as possible.

Good luck and best wishes to Drew - you must be stronger than ever - I admire your strength

Hi also to Lady B - I hope you have a little celebration when you get to 6 months - that is a milestone I'm anxious to get to ( a personal goal) so it's an early well done 😉

I had a bit of a bad time this week, I had an accident in my company vehicle, this is the kind stress and cr** that would trigger me off on a gambling frenzy - But my little wife has been amazing to support and comfort me and helped me stay strong so a BIG thank you to her

My thoughts are with you all this week - stay strong and best wishes

Glads dad

Checking in on day 157!

Many thanks Mr B for your amazing update, especially as you've had so much to contend with lately. Glad to read that things are looking a bit better for the family and best wishes to the patient for a good and lasting recovery. I expect Mama B has been holding things together for everyone too, so best wishes to her as well.

So many milestones to celebrate, so congratulations to all, and thank you for reminding me about my six months coming up - hadn't realised it! Pity that spare plinth in Trafalgar Square is occupied - might have spent the day up there, with a pigeon on my head....

Glads Dad - thank you for your kind words and sorry to hear of your accident - hope you are feeling less stressed this week and well done on your continued recovery.

Spent a chilly few hours last night at the Jools Holland Concert at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich with Canary Wharf sparkling in the background over the river - so nice to be able to do things like this instead of being chained to the computer watching the reels spinning. So I am literally enjoying my 'life music'... (Finally left the concert with quite a few others when Mel C appeared....although perhaps her opening number "Things Will Never Be The Same Again" should be our Anthem....?)

May the music continue loud and strong for us all.

Checking in on my Day 175.

Joanna x

Day 73 checking In.

Gamble-free but not complacent.

Happy to be one of the soldiers!

He Mr B and Fellow Soldiers

Checking in on day 62.

Great post again Mr B. I hope things get better for you. Well done to everyone with milestones and everyone who is still with us, in fact well done everyone. I can't get the image out of my mind of Joanna with a pigeon on her head in Trafalgar Square but then again I don't know what she looks like so my imagination is working overtime.

Those of you who may have seen my diary will know I had a near miss this week but battled through. If nothing else it had made me realise two things. One, I cannot be complacent and two, I am actually stronger than I think. I did not defect to the other side, still one your soldiers, a bit wounded but not defeated.

I am trying to work on my Life Music to crank it up a few decibels but as I am basically lazy I am finding it hard to get the motivation to do anything. I have plenty ideas but no inclination to do them. Need to sit down with myself and give me a good talking to. I could get locked up for that so if my next post looks like I typed it with my nose it will be probably be because I did.

Again well done all, keep on marching,

Elfie x

Hi all, not checked in for a while but still doing OK. Hope everyone is enjoying the Bank Holidays

Apologies for missing last weeks check in, no excuses and I wont miss another. 43 days for me and struggling a bit at the moment but I have got past numerous situations in those 43 days that would have always led me back to gambling so some progress is being made.

Mark

Check in at day 70 here.

Enjoying a very lazy bank holiday Monday.

I'll have put on half a stone if I keep stuffing my face like this! Hehehe x

Hope everyone is well and are enjoying their day.

Angela x

Hi guys and girls, ready for the 2014 challenge. I'm only on day 8 but committed to gathering momentum. Only way is forward now, there is no going back. So please count me in 🙂

T x

good morning all. this is me checking in on day 91 which is 13 weeks 1/4 of the year!!! and to celebrate we are going out for the day as a family along with my sister brother in law niece and 2 nephews. therefore this is just a quick check in as we are leaving for the full day out shortly.

@cannaewin you can do it. we will be there to support you whenever you need it. remember you can come on here 24/7.

best wishes for the future everyone. keep strong

Hey everyone so sorry i havnt checked in last week its been hectic for me but im still going strong..no stupid bets, slots or any scambling on my end so far which makes me the happiest as can be 🙂 good luck everyone we're beating this