2014 Challenge

Check in at day 50 xxx

checking in today day 74 i think??

recovery going ok this bank holiday weekend

possibly had too much time to think which ran me close a couple of times and well as an uncomfortable chat on the online chat

but i'm still gamble free

onwards and upwards soldiers

triangle

hi count me in, I'm up for the challenge and will post and support others where can

.

am new member as of today, head still bit messed up only.just came off bet/ relapse yesterday

I've registered on here as realise cannot do on own and need all help and support I can get to battle this insidious disease

tc everyone

fitzy

into day 2, gamble free, let's keep this bus on route. no.wrong turns

Morning everyone!!

Firstly, a massive congrats to Pinky on the half century - huge milestone Pinky and I'm delighted for you - your come a long way already but it's just the start of your journey and your new life! Proud to be on the journey with you!

Secondly, Spaingone, well done on hitting the 10 week milestone!! That's you about to hit a run of big milestones soldier - next stop the quarter year and onto the Century Club!! Really looking forward to those! Congrats!!

Next, there's already 5 soldiers potentially joining us this week - I've left a personal message for each of you on the front page of the thread, with some asks for some of you - please read these and hopefully we'll see all of you formally welcomed to the team on Sunday!! Would be brilliant to have you all marching with us through the rest of 2014!!

It's been quite quiet over the bank holiday weekend - I'm thinking that there may be a lot of people away for half term with family or enjoying family time at home but away from gambling?!? Get your check ins done folks and I hope your time with loved ones is precious!!

This could well be the week we head over 40 soldiers in our growing army.......it should be!!

Final request - Joanna - you've just hit 85 days and are marching towards quarter of a year and then the Century........we've not had a female spotlight yet - would you do us the honours this week? If so, please email the answers to the 5 standard questions and I'll pass them on to bornagain for this weeks update on Sunday. No pressure though if you'd rather not!

This is Mr B checking in on 170 days and living life to the full.......and loving it without gambling!!

PS Linda......Hardtimes, where are you girl? We're missing you!!

Im on Day 1 of my recovery. Feel weak.

Helpless. Been gambling for 9 years. Lost all friends and family dont talk to me anymore.

Any chance of going on a holiday this year was lost when i gambled my months wage over the weekend.

I would like to try again. I know the usual advice/tips on gambling and unfortunately they dont work for my environment.

One thing i want to say to myself. The odds are never in my favour. Gambling, whether it be horses or poker or football doesnt work for me. I never win. Never had a big win. Only gamble on favourites at this stage anyways

Hi Mr B - Yes, I'll be honoured to be in the spotlight - fame at last! I'll do as you ask and let you have my thoughts asap.

Joanna

"can I just ask that you are 100% sure that you are committed to your recovery and to this team? "

yes to both question definitely. mr brightside i am 100 per cent comitted to accepting all help and doing whatever i can to battle this demon , and get on top of it once and for all.

I am new member and first time on here, but will try to help where can and be as honest as possible

take care

fitzy

Mr B, a pleasure to be on board. I feel I'm amongst good people!

I'll put it on record right here and now. I've had one too many blips and second chances. It time to finally smash this, if I don't make this 2014 challenge, or 2015,16 and onwards then I fully expect every single person in this group to get my address and come round and beat me senseless. I'm a compulsive gambling addict and never again do I want to feel those feelings of losing control/helplessness not to mention the total disregard of money and its value.

Checking in on day 66. I am finally realising that sometimes things just take time. It takes time for you to realise that gambling is a bad way to escape reality, that it is not your friend, that it is a false buzz because ultimately it always ends on a downer. I have been on and off this site since 2011 and something has just clicked this time. It takes time to realise this so all the blips have been for a reason...quitting gambling is like getting over an ex, or settling into a new job...you think you're never going to get over it or conform to this new way of life but with time you can...it does get easier. I feel free for the first time in about 6 years and it feels great.xxx

Checking in on day 31, still feeling good.

Jess 🙂

Morning everyone!!

Lots of new member activity on the challenge this week - it's a bizarre emotion that this creates - happiness that people have found this site and especially this thread, but profound sadness that day after day good people with this affliction are reaching out in desperation for support in beating gambling.

Fitzy - brilliant response mate, exactly the type if hope to see. You'll be formally added to the team on Sunday when bornagain pulls together the update for the group. I see you safely navigated Day 2 - these are the toughest times soldier - stay strong and keep reminding yourself of the commitments you've made - it's for your future mate.

Leigh - I also see you've had a lapse - a relapse is only a relapse when you've continued with the addictive behaviour for a sustained period. You've had the courage to come onto the site and admit your slip. There's tons of great advice on the site about the barriers that can be out in place, blockers, finances etc. it's essential you evaluate the foundations you've got in place that will support you in stopping. Take action, dust yourself down and remember your commitment from when you joined this group!!

Stephen2105 - I've left a message on the front page of this thread for you. I'm going to be blunt here mate 'cos I think you need to hear it. With our compulsion, where there's a will to gamble we will always find a way. Equally, that applies to stopping - where there's a will there's a way. Read the spotlights in the last few updates on this thread - a strong theme that comes through is in relation to the triangle of Time/Location/Money - remove one and it's impossible to gamble. It doesn't matter what environment you are in, the same principles apply to you mate. I really hope you find your way and would love nothing more than celebrating some major milestones with you as we walk together to liberation!!

Joanna - that's great news that you're willing to move into the spotlight this week!! Really looking forward to reading the responses!!

Mile end - I am genuinely delighted you are here - can't put my finger on why tbh, but I just feel that you are a great fit for the team and that there'll be huge mutual benefit for having you around!!

Shorty8 - you soldier have put the biggest of smiles on my face today!! It is just brilliant to read where you find yourself now. I know you don't underestimate the hard miles that lie ahead maintaining the new life that you have created for yourself, but just so refreshing to see the positivity oozing out of your post!!

Check ins are light this week soldiers - we're needing a flurry!! Mmmm, having had my fill of a weeks worth of feta, olives and other Greek tastes, a flurry, or rather a McFlurry would be welcomed here 🙂 Oh, and I'd literally kill for a Costa coffee right now!! Not grumbling though......that was reserved for life pre December 2013!!

Have a great hump day everyone.....this coming weekend is closer than last!! Woop woop!!

Checking in.

97 days.

Has it really been that long?!

Doesn't feel so weird to not gamble anymore, almost like I made a new life.

Because I spend a lot of time on the computer working, and have freedom with it, to abstain I have taken up an e-learning course online.

Gives me something to do with my tappy fingers which doesn't involve burning money!

Laters folks.

I am willing to make the committment and would like to be a part of this team.

I have the will to stop, i walked past the bookies today and went into tesco to get a can of tuna for my sandwich.

The fact that i have written two days of thoughts/feelings on my recovery diary made me feel id be throwin something away by gambling.

Day 2 for me, feel better than yesterday, not crying at my desk today so thats a good sign.

The triangle anology is very good, Its a different way of thinking in terms of giving up so its something which i got something from

Thank you Mr B,

Since I had a lapse to I start again as today as day 1 or I'm I at 6?

Leigh