2014 Challenge

Well good morning fellow soldiers!!!

It's Saturday!!! Hurrahhhhhh!! What a week and a half that was - like other posters, I agree it's gone bye really quickly......but didn't feel like it at the time!!

So it's 30 hours until check in deadline and we're looking like we will be over the 30 soldiers number, possibly taking a step closer to the 40 number!! Last check in of March!!

Welcome to the new team members this week - sorry you feel you need to be here, but delighted you have found us........it will help you help yourselves in recovery. I'll formally welcome you with the update tomorrow, but for the time being, if you're unsure as to whether you are "in" or not yet, then check the very first page and post of the thread for info!!

It looks like it's been a really tough week for a lot of us - in particular, in the area of relationships. I hope that those of you who are facing the prospect of a relationship split are ok......I know it's not easy, especially when it's not something you want or think is right. I have been separated from my wife since May last year and it's easily been the hardest 10 months I've ever had. In that time I plummeted into being an even more serious problem gambler, self destruct buttons pushed in a number of areas and relationships with "friends" stretched beyond recovery. Looking back though.......these things probably needed to happen for me to finally admit to myself and those close to me that I had some pretty chronic psychological problems. I am now receiving the support and help I need to turn my life around and pull issues back from the brink - the breakdown of the relationship was the biggest catalyst for that........so I'm thankful in a way it happened.....if it didn't then I'm not sure I would be here. I am now gamble free for 111 days, my debt is slowly coming down, my performance at work has improved.......but most importantly, my relationship with my wife has not been better. If we did get back together then I know that the foundations in the relationship are solid, and won't be compromised by gambling or other deep rooted issues. I'm not sure what the message I'm trying deliver is here.......maybe it's to stay strong, use the split (if it happens) to work through the wider aspects of you.......and with humility and hard work, it may not be the end that it might look like just now. Remember that trust takes time too. Hope it all works out for each of you.

I want to make a couple of call outs - Joanne (baggins) - thanks for being an awesome team member - this week in particular. I've just looked through the week of posts and your name is all over it - the encouragement you've given is superb and I wanted to make sure you were aware of now much it's appreciated!

Strange and FF1 - great to see you returning this week folks - stay strong.....milestones approaching !!

Leedsv - sorry mate, I missed your 13 week celebration on Wednesday!! A quarter of a year sir, many congratulations!! Superb. Now get your a55 checked in for this week!!

To the guys who have come through the first few days and weeks of recovery......and there's a lot of you at the moment.......I just want you all to know that it's amazing how you are all getting through.....I'm absolutely certain it's the most difficult time, but I've never been more sure that the majority of you will come through this. You are a huge inspiration with everything else that is going on in your lives NoCrisis, Bex, CasinoL and many more of you......some of your posts this week have been brilliant - May not have seemed that way for you, but they are brilliant because you are here, you are contributing......and you are beating it. Be proud folks - you are already making a difference to the group.....but moreso to yourselves.

So it's going to be a weird Saturday for me with no team to cheer on - sorry T_R, I no longer have a connection with NF......and sadly won't be going down to the games any more. I hope for your sake they turn it around and sneak back into the playoffs - huge game today. Plenty of other things to keep me busy at the weekends though.

Finally, bornagain........any guesses who your hero of the week is for this week? Tommy Mackinson by chance? Lol!! Hope you had a brilliant night......and even with a make shift side last night, a superb result. Certainly augurs we'll for the rest of the season!!!

Have a brilliant gamble free Saturday everyone!!

Until we speak again tomorrow........I am Mr Brightside........and I am proud to be a soldier!!

Check in

Hey guys just checking in for the week, still going strong and clocking up the days! Been a busy bunny and have been hitting the gym hard this week all the time to gamble but I shall not ! Hope everyone is allright, have a good week

Batman

Woo hoo day four and no real urges today. Yesterday was hard but managed to stay strong. Was worried the urges would be strong again today but so far so good. Posting everyday for the first week to get me through then maybe twice a week or if I am finding things diffficult. Thanks for support. Hope everyone else is having a gamble free day

Apologies Mr.B and to the others on this thread,I've fell off the wagon in spectacular style on friday,I'm not in a good way,don't wana let this thread down again,back to day 1 2mo,I want nothing more than to abstain but have little faith in myself at present.

I've put up every block I can,cut up my cards,exdcluded from over 100 bookies,I've gota do this.

Apologies yet again

Hi all

So just did an 11 hour round trip to old trafford with the family and I'm now exhausted but truely happy. Gambling didn't cross my mind once as it tends not to these days anyway! Plus great result for the reds and my boy thought it was the most amazing place in the world! I hope everyone can stay strong x

Linda day 109 x

Hi Andy here, just joined today, in serious need off some help/ to stop gambling, hopefully the start of the road to recovery,

Would love to join this, any help is good,

Hey, hello from New York City....Looking forward to another week free of gambling. Things have been going well, but I have been occupied so much with work. Good luck everyone for the week ahead!!

After a drunken slip I am back and on day 7...got to stay off the booze now as well as the gambling!! I'll be a freakin nun soon lol. Spirits are high...the only way is up for me now I am more determined than ever xxx

Morning everyone.....and Happy Mother's Day!

Front page is updated with all this week check in details.

6 hours until check in and quite a few names to say hi! Not overly concerned at the moment.....but with every hour that goes bye I'll be watching our collective totals take a huge dent if they don't show up!

The update for today might be slightly later than normal due to lunches and dinners.......and looking after the mums in my life!

Mr Brightside

Hi! Check in Day 23 for me!:)

Thanks LAF.........you are one of our regular Sunday check ins!

7 Soldiers missing at this stage, 2 blips in the group........and a current reduction of 260 days in our total........5 new team members currently to be added, no days added in at the moment.....

Mr Brightside

Day five today for me. Definitely gonna be no gambling. Got today all planned out

Hi everyone checking in on day 35! Great to see the numbers growing on here and well done everybody!

Checking in on day 37, still clean!

Feeling more positive overall, was tempted to have a tenner bet but we all know where that leads and so that thought was sent packing quite quickly.