2014 Challenge

checking in this week 269 days

congratulations to all the soldiers this week including mr B

well done

tri

Hi all

o*g - how many troops are celebrating personal milestones this week- it's a really positive position for you to be in - A massive congratulations to each and every one of you - I 1000% admire and respect you in all of your achievements - well done to each of you without your regular comments and strengths we would be in a very different place today - thank you

At the moment we have regular updates from a few well known people who are likely to be leaving us within the next few weeks months etc - Personally am very sad about this BUT I also understand that you have other more important commitments and feel that you are confident enough to "move on" so good on you and best of luck to you in your futures

The forum will be a very different place without the jovial upbeat and comforting comments that you post I will be sad to see you go.

However new blood will join and we will keep the momentum/ strength and commitment going, this will help me (us) stay strong enough to march into 2015 along keeping our demons in check.

not long now till the end of 2014 I'm looking forward to hitting my own personal milestones in 2015

Good luck and best wishes to you all.

my name is Lee aka Glads Dad I am a compulsive gambler.

Have a brilliant week

hi, im billy. im a compulsive gambler and want to stop! been to gam annom 3 times but always found excuses to stop going. lets hope this site works for me

I've been excited about posting this message all week, I know you see Tuesday as your big day Mr B, so maybe this is a day early but I just had to say how proud I am of you. Your update today was the best so far, your journey this past year has been inspirational and along the way you have had so much time for so many people. You are one of the busiest people I know, you work more hours than most, you are brilliant with your family and you still find time to come on here and help people. You may be bowing out at the end of the year, but you have left your mark and helped a lot of people to find a path from their darkness into a better life.

Last December I started a diary, not the first time I had done so (I have had other diaries over the years that have failed). I had a lot of things on my mind, I was trying to give up gambling and become a better person. In the dark times when I was emotionally screwed up Mr B was always there to give me some invaluable advice and support. I have no doubt that if it wasn't for this challenge and Mr B's friendship I wouldn't have lasted as long as I did without a bet. When the Cheltenham Festival was imminent I was worried it would suck me back in, Mr B invited me up to Scotland to stay with him and keep my mind away from Cheltenham. I took him up on his offer and had the most amazing time, its not just Mr B who is a star, but his whole family were so supportive and kind. I don't have too many positive memories from the past few years, but my break in Scotland would certainly be one of them. I will never again look at Cadburys Chocolate Eclairs or Ben and Jerrys ice cream in the same way! Sadly for me I couldn't stick 9 days behind Mr B and I eventually slipped up and have had a few relapses since. But whenever I went quiet and didn't post I would get a text asking if everything was ok. Whilst this year has ended badly from my personal perspective, I can say with 100% certainty that I wouldnt still be active on this site if it wasn't for Mr B looking out for me. I would have gone a long time ago and given up on my attempts to beat my addiction. My mum doesn't read this forum, has never met or spoken to Mr B, but she like everybody else on this challenge thinks hes a great guy and sends her congratulations.

Thanks Tony for your time, support and friendship over the past year. I'm so happy for you that you are about to hit a full year without a bet. Your family must be so proud of you. Enjoy your celebrations on Tuesday, as well as being pleased for you I'm elated for Mama B, Papa B, Y and K because they have you back and I'm certain you won't ever slip up again!!!!!

ps. If nobody steps forward to run the 2015 challenge I will happily do it.

Hi Tony (Mr B) - huge congratulations on 365 days gamble free. You're an inspiration to us all. Your commitment to this forum has helped so many of us in our recovery. I am so happy for you that you feel it's the time to move on but also devastated that you are not going to continue into 2015 as it's been your strength, words, humour and wisdom that have carried all of us through 2014. It's Mr B's challenge and it won't be the same without you guiding us. Checking in for another gamble free week.

Mo

Morning

Mr B you've done it !!

You are a huge inspiration to us - Have a brilliant day my friend, you deserve it. Whoop whoop

cheers Glads dad

Great update tony.

Day 50 will be completed today. I really hope there is another challenge next year this has been' very bbeneficial to many of us.

Mba

What tremendous posts of encouragement and support! What an amazing journey we are all on! As a non gambler I have come to understand more about Tony and each of you and the challenges you each face on a daily basis and I respect you all for the huge effort you have each put into your own recoveries and the support and encouragement you have given each other.

The posts for Mr B have been so special and I know how much they will mean to him - thank you!

Bornagain - Phil - what a great post! I really feel you should take up the baton and run the challenge for 2015! You have had huge success this year. I know there have been a few blips but you have learnt from them and grown and you are now even more determined to remain a non gambler. I think that after the dress rehearsal of this year 2015 will be your year Phil. A year when your debts are paid and you can look in the mirror & like the person you see there :-). A new year of opportunities which is exciting! Running the challenge will give you a huge purpose a determination to lead your troops throughout 2015! I'm excited for you and I know Tony will be one of the troops marching with you (& of course I'll always be there for you too!)

Thank you to each one of you who have shared & will continue to share this journey with Tony. I am so blessed by the wonderful and amazing change this year has made! I have so much to give thanks for 🙂 Well done my very special son 🙂 today I know you will not gamble. I pray the same for every one of you. Love Mama B xxxx ps - as Christmas approaches don't be concerned about buying presents and thinking a gamble might make some money. The people who love you want you not gifts! My greatest gift this Christmas is to see my son happy, enjoying his family & his life & being debt free! I don't need anything else & it's a gift money cannot buy! Love is free - give that this Christmas 🙂 xx

afternoon everyone. I am Marietta and I'm a compulsive gambler.

Since joining this group and stopping gambling I have passed many milestones. I have turned 40. I am now debt free. I can sleep again. I have no secrets from my hubby (except what he has for christmas). I have passed the 6 month gamble free mark and I'm quickly approaching my double century, 200 days gamble free for me on saturday. I have started to like myself again and the person I am changing back into. My self esteem and worth is slowly but surely increasing. I have my life back.

So thank you Tony (Mr Brightside) and the rest of you for your support since I joined you. When I've had low days or just needed to talk you've been there. Although I am very lucky to have an extremely supportive husband, family and friends sometimes it is easier to relate to a "stranger" someone who is in the same boat as yourself, but one who has the life jacket if you need it.

Congratulations to everyone who is passing milestones this week whether it is 1 day, 1 week , 1 month or 1 year, the fact that you are making the effort to change is all that matters. Take each day as it comes and remember together we can do it.

Best wishes for the future everyone and remember to stay strong.

Thankyou for the positive comments everybody, it means alot 🙂

I could'nt have achieved what I have without Tony(Mr B) commiting his life to this challenge. Mama B and Papa B will be extremely proud of you, not just for hitting that 1 year milestone in a few hours, but for helping many others overcome this terrible addiction and improve their lives for the better. CONGRATULATIONS!

I agree that keeping this challenge going, not knowing the scale it would grow to must have been tough at times, as it must have felt like having another full time job and understand you wanting to pass on the baton, but let me just say... Thankyou! You've started something this year and with the strong base we have going into 2015 as well many people setting resolutions of no gambling in the new year I think we'll see this challenge grow ever stronger and bigger.

Phil - I'd be delighted if you gave it a shot next year. Mr B will still be here to lend a hand next year I'm sure and I think most people would be happy with you leading the group next year!

So.... Thanks again Tony, your a legend in my eyes and I will never forget that my life is the way it is now and part of that it is because of your influence. Enjoy your day tomorrow 🙂

Scambling

Good evening all fellow soldiers

Checking in GF on day 83. I would like to personally offer a huge congratulations to Mr. B! What a journey and a true inspiration to many of us here.. you've certainly given me a glimpse of sunlight by offering this challenge and have grasped onto it with both hands. The support from many on this site is quite truely humbling and thank you all for this. As of many gloomy days ago I didn't think this was possible, but I honestly see an escape now..

It's a horrible disaster to happen to any individual and I know we all struggle from day to day. Just keep fighting on guys, we're here for each other and must stay strong.. I would love to see this challenge continuate into next year and would happily offer a supporting hand if it was required.

So for now, have a great week all.. you're all inspirations.

Andy

Checking in day 26. Had all sorts to deal with since I stopped gambling, breakdown of a relationship and loads of uni work on at the moment but where once I would have found comfort in gambling I have turned to my parents for support in beating this, the forum, the helpline and the start of counselling. The barriers I have put in place are also helping me beat this and I fully accept i was a compulsive gambling mess.I am a non gambler now though and this is just still the early days of an exciting journey. I finally realise that going back to gambling would only compound any of the problems we face in day to day life. Managing the best I can and actually wanting to go out and gamble couldn't be further from my mind. I have no desire to gamble again.

One day at a time slowly winning. Have a good gambling free week everyone. Sorry for rambling on lol.

Dear Outofthecage,

What a lovely post, I am so pleased for YOU, I think Mr B has done marvellous with this challenge, and tomorrow is one whole year for him, as you say we don't want pressies just to know they are happy, and I think Phil(bornagain ) will do very well on taking over the 2015 challenge.

Best wishes

Suzanne xx

Thanks Suzanne - your kind words are much appreciated 🙂 x

Mr B, Tony, what a fantastic achievement for you to reach a full year without gambling. I absolutely loved your post on Sunday, and have read quite a few times since, as it reflects what life as a gambling addict is and the pain that we and our families have to endure. You have continued since day one of this challenge to give it 100% of your own time and commitment, of which I am personally very greatfull.

It has helped me enormously over the past year to cope with my gambling habit, reading a variety of posts from some fantastic people. I am so glad that I stumbled across this website last Dec, when I was in a very bad way , both mentally and physically. The challenge started a personal commitment that I would do everything to try and not gamble. It has been hard, but you can take credit for assisting me in my journey.

Today is about you Tony, I would love to meet up with you one day and talk about the past and look forward to a gamble free future that we have started and obviously sink a couple of drinks......

Well done again my friend and may your journey long continue.

Mike