2014 Challenge

Evening everyone,

Quick check in from me to say I hope everyone is having a good week - sometimes sounds daft to hear myself say that to a group of people who are battling with their affliction.......but if we are not gambling then it's a good week.

A couple of shout outs.........everyone's friend, super woman.........LINDA!!! Congratulations on reaching the 10 week milestone Mrs - hope you are enjoying the break away.

To all of us.......even with a resignation this week........today, as a group, our collective days free from gambling has now reached an incredible.........

4 YEARS!!!!!!!

Welcome to imran420 - as with our other joiner this week imran, can I ask that you check in later in the week with a bit more about yourself and how many days clean from Gambling you are? I think this could be day 2, but please confirm and you'll be a member of the team officially on Sunday.

Front page check in info is updated.

Stay strong comrades!!

Mr Brightside

Just checking in on what is now day 3!

I can't even begin to desrcibe how much im struggling. I didn't realise how bad my problem is until now. In the past I've never really tried to stop, I've just tried to limit myself, where as this time I never ever want to gambel again. I think I'm now thinking about gambling even more. It's absolutely everywhere, there's no hiding from it! Radio, phone, social meadia, tv, GO AWAY!!!

Needless to say I've not gambled, but it's not been without a battle. I'm starting to feel a whole raft of guilt, before I made the decision to stop, I spent all of mine and my girlfriends holiday spending money on gambling. I feel like I need to tell her, but I cant. Im fortunate that I earn a decent salary, so I can replace it all on payday, but I've got such a mixed bag of emotions at the minute I really don't know what to do.

It's such a relief to be able to write this all down for someone else to read. Its genuinely a weight off my mind.

Keep up the good work people, you don't realise how much of a help and an inspiration you are.

Will

I hope your right Julie, it will be nice to have some money in the bank at the end of each month! Thank you for taking the time to reply, it's appreciated.

151 days... nice to pass the magic 150 but I find I am having more gambling thoughts in the last 24 hours than in the past 149 days and do not know why that is. Not planning to act upon them but it seems strange. Onwards all! Good luck x

Hitting 25 days for the second time now but thankfully no planned outings at the dogs in my way this time. Feeling so much better than the first few weeks in 2014. Still issues with money especially now in a new houseshare but at least im not adding to my problems.

Can I add myself to the list?

I am approaching one week gamble free and it feels good.

I have been addicted to online slot machines for the best part of two years and a realisation of how severe my problem is/was came when I spent all the money in my account and more over the course of two days. When I realised I had lost the money to pay our mortgage I was distraught.

Having said that, the next day I went online again and spent £50 but clawed back £700. That was the last time I gambled so I did at least come away with enough to cover our mortgage payment.

Since then I have added software blockers to my pc, laptop and phone and have also told my husband.

Hopefully things are looking up now 🙂

hi everyone

I have been away for the last few days down at the seaside with the family. Well needed fresh air and break from everyday life! I am now on 71 days I think and going strong. The urges from last week seem to be overtaken with no urges at all. I did feel a little silly at stopping my 6 year old from playing the 2p machines at the arcade but I couldnt help it. Its a disgrace and also made me mad that they even have little mini ******* ******* machines for the little ones! I know it is only meant to be fun but it still teaches them all the wrong things at such young ages! I did give in and let them play the grabber machines in the end but when they couldnt win a teddy (because they are all totally fixed) we headed off for ice cream and I felt good when my boy said he would rather buy his little sister a teddy then trying to win one "out of those terrible machines"! Yes a little victory for me lol!.

Anyway, I would like to welcome all the new members since I was last on and congrats to everyone that made some milestones this week.

Linda xxxx

Linda, those fruit machines are the very ones that started me off all those years ago, perhaps at that age so dont feel guilty.

I echo the congratulations to everyone.

Afternoon everyone!!

Well it's Thursday and another day closer to the weekend.........woop woop!! I used to dread the weekend coming around due to the fear of all the sport on and the temptations that came with it........but I just love the weekend now!!

Welcome to mjpsmummy - sorry you've had to join the site, would have been nice to welcome you under different circumstances........but delighted you have found this thread and hope it really helps with your recovery. Some "rules" are on the very first post on the thread on page 1........I actually had a read through your diary a couple of nights ago and thought that this challenge could be a big help for you. I'd ask you to check in once more between now and Sunday to let us know how you're getting on and I'll add you to the team when I do the update on Sunday night.

Mr Brightside checking in on Day 74........72 hours until check in deadline everyone!!

Stay strong team!!!

Hi all challengers just checkin in day 20 today and 22 on Sunday . Actually my son told me today I was challenged so maybe that's not very PC no offence meant. Staying strong hitthefanx

Hello All Fellow Soldiers 🙂

Feel good Friday check in for me. Happy to say i'm in a much better place this Friday than i was last Friday. I held strong though and didn't let the Gambling demons take control of me.

Happy to say: Day 90 - NO GAMBLING

Keep fighting everyone...

Cheers

Craig

Checking in 54 Days & NO gambling 🙂

Getting more & more determined with every day that passes, don't get me wrong, I'm still having urges but I absolutely refuse to give in.....I cannot win because I cannot stop....I've said it before and I'll say it again...these 7 little words have made so much difference to my life, they keep me strong and are a constant reminder that I will NEVER ever win......

A huge welcome to all our new 'soldiers' as Mr B calls us......stay strong, read lots of stories but most of all....believe! We can do this!

Clean For 2014 🙂

Mr Brightside.....as always, a huge huge thank you for all the support you give to each & everyone of us, I look forward to your update every Sunday evening, you should be very proud of yourself sir!

M x

Well done *ashamed*, keep it going mate!

I also echo your comments re: Mr Brightside.. someone i hope one day to call a friend and i really hope we all get through this and i can buy the man a well deserved beer in 2015 when we all meet up.. i love his updates also.. inspiring and uplifting..

Cheers

Evening everyone!

48 hours to go before the last check ins that will count in February and in 9 days time we'll report a pretty large number of us who are free from gambling for a range of 1-6 months.......how amazing a feeling is that?

Thanks for the comments 2012 and ashamed - the primary aim of the thread is to give us all and additional incentive to keep going......but to hear it's making a difference makes it an even more worthwhile investment of time.

Here's to every single one of us!!

Mr B - checking in 3/4 of the way to the 100 day milestone - woop woop!! A trip to Burnley tomorrow to see the Reds (probably lose 🙁 ) but looking forward to it none-the-less.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hi All,

Checking in gamble free. My thoughts all week have been with Linda. Goodness me, woman, you are made of strong stuff and we are all so incredibly proud of you!

Mr B, my thanks once again for keeping up the motivation and stats so that we all feel the group achievements.

Keep strong everyone and don't let the bar*****s grind you down.

Louise xx