2014 Challenge

Bornagain, great post and I share you concerns over the World Cup. The mixture of alcohol in the company of mates who gamble has the potential to lead to disaster. I am sure you will remain strong and get through the 3 weeks fine. Just think of all the money you would waste on betting on England.......

Welcome to all of the newcomers, the journey would have just begun for many of you but it is worth while and the urges will gradually weaken as the days add up.

Mike

Evening all... Had a blip of a week.. Back on wagon again..

Evening everyone!!!

Lots to get through tonight with the midweek update.........

Firstly the victories........the celebrations........the high fives..........

Babybluesky & Happy Days - congratulations on half a year soldiers!!!! 26 weeks free of this vile addiction!! Yessssssss!!!!

Baggins - our newest Century Club member!!! Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) - I was quite taken with your biblical reference Joanna on another thread......this one is for you!! Congratulations Mrs!!!

Ringer bell and Triangle - many many congrats on the quarter year guys!! Next stop the Century Club!!

Wolfgang - 70 days........10 weeks!!! Partying in Venlo!! Well done mate!!

Mo - last but certainly not least - a half century already......it's gone so quickly!! So glad you came back to the regiment!! Well done!!

So it's been a tough week for some.......and with the greatest show on earth starting today it will become even more tempting for many of us.......

MJB & FF - disappointing to hear of further lapses with you both. We would never turn our backs on a soldier in need, but equally, in an army there is an expectation that everyone takes personal responsibility for the greater good of the team. Your barriers aren't good enough.........you've made a commitment to this group and in order to stop gambling and take fulfill that commitment you have to strengthen them. We want you to succeed, we want you to arrest the losses, we want you to be able to move on in life.......and we are here to support you to do that.......but we can't take the decisions for you when temptation is in your way. Please take your learnings and if you really really want to stop, put actions in place to prevent a full relapse........for you more than anyone else.

Sonic Boom - I've really torn myself inside out over your situation.......and haven't posted since yesterday lunchtime as I've worked this one through. Many months ago, one of the current crop of soldiers felt that they could not pull out of a social occasion and gambled a small amount of money in a "controlled" way. For me, this was the precedent for the challenge.......and one that places me in a very difficult situation. However, I have to keep it simple and unambiguous for the future for all members and with this in mind I feel I need to take you back to Day 1 on the challenge. In your head I would imagine you will be calibrating against the 26 days now and I truly get that......by all means, use this number on your rec.diaries. I really hope we can move this on at pace now.

Mr B checking in!!!!!

Hi everyone,

Mr brightside... Thanks for the midweek update, it really isnt a problem about which day im on. I felt it was just important to get it out there what my situation was. Didnt want to be dishonest to the team in any way. The worse case senario for me was to mentally think have i or have i not let the team down and solve the problem by making it 100 % clear that i was back at day 1 by blowing a shed load of cash.

Day 1 / day 26 - all i know that since 17 May ive done amazing and not made my financial position worse than it needs to be. For that I have to partly thank the many many people on this site. Without reading numerous stories and all of the amazing advice Im not sure i would have controled my urges. Especially when the England friendlys were on.

Just checking in day 13, as everyone says its going to be tough in the next few weeks with the world cup but just remember back to day 1 and stay strong !

Very honest from Sonic there. Use the advice that people have given and turn this into a positive.

Look im Day 18 so i know people ae going to be struggling the next few weeks.

I used to like a football bet, but if a game started at 3 oclock i would have already lost my money by the time the match started.

Im not giving any forms of gambling my time. A sweepstake might be a laugh and a couple of pounds/euros but its not worth it.

Stay strong people and enjoy watching the football. If your struggling remember that they show betting ads during the breaks of football matches so maybe thats when you should go make a cup of tea

Many thanks for the Biblical reference Rev. B!

Very nice and appropriate.

Sonic boom - just a minor trickle of dust in the tunnel we are digging out of Stalag Gambling.

Keep going!

Best wishes to all from 25 degrees in London - might have to remove one of my vests.....

Joanna

I'm out of this challenge due to my stupidity. 1,500 down in 2 days. But I'm asking for people's help. My bank will no longer give me another loan to easy my problems and im struggling with repayments of 280 a month. Anyway I can reduce this without my parents/employees knowing.

don't give in rst18

we're all here to help

keep sharing and let us all know your okay

triangle

Checking in. Didn't realise how much money I wasted until I started being careful. Credit cards gone . Debit cards gone cash only from now and it's working well . Checking in mr b. Thanks for everything xx

Hi guys checking in for the week. Been a busy week got word on monday I been accepted to go on an exchange program with Finland through youth work Ireland. Only 10 youth leaders were selected so to say I was over the moon would be an under statement 😀

I've had opportunities to apply before but always put them off as was to busy in bookies etc so this is another new experience il be part of because I've stopped gambling. Really looking forward to it 🙂

Hi Mr Brightside

Thanks for posting on my wall.

Thought I'd take up your invitation to return to the Challenge. Still going strong at 79 days free of gambling. Been tough but have managed to fight the demons that keep saying "go on....just one more bet".

Good luck to all.

Craig

Fantastic news Ringerbell - yet more proof of the amazing possibilities open to us when we are free of the blight. Hope you have a marvellous time in Finland. :o)

Joanna

Checking in day 13

Not struggling with gambling thoughts they do pop into my head my I'm controlling them

I'm struggling with the thought of my 3k debt it's killing me knowing I've got to pay it off because of one stupid night on line

Mike don't be to hard on yourself its 3k its gone think about how good you will feel when its at zero and how hard you worked to get it there. You are doing great please focus on the future not the past. I have a mountain to get through too but i wont let it get me down anymore.

Keep Strong