2015 Challenge

Morning

Sorry for the late check in, it's a busy weekend at work on this part of my rota.

Keeping my mind occupied on spending time with my family has really helped. It really makes you appreciate what you have and although money is a necessity it's nothing without them!

I'm on day 10 since my day of Armageddon and I feel good, I've got a period of 5 years where I will try and work extra to cover what I've lost so as to not affect our life as it has always been. Broken down in that way it doesn't seem too much of a burden! For anyone else my age (28) or similar, 5 years is actually a drop in the ocean when you consider things!

Thanks again to all who write on here, it's been a real inspiration and key to helping me get through it.

Thanks

Freshman247

Hi again all hope you are having a good gamble free weekend, been some exciting games to watch and I have not even been tempted to have a go at predicting the scores, never mind betting. It is nice to watch the football without having to worry which player is going to cost you money!

day 13 without a bet now and i am feeling happier for it and my relationships are benefitting from it aswell. I am still trying to build a level of trust with some people close to me but they can probably see an improvement in me (i hope).

Good luck again this week everyone!

Hi all just checking in, born again that's a great post on the festival as it will be massivly difficult for me altho I'm keeping busy and havnt thought about a bet yet, im positive these urges will crop up tho from time to time.

Some great posts in this thread and I'm so glad to see everyone getting through this together.

5 days down and I'm so much happier in myself it feels amazing

Catch you all soon X

Checking in day 15, enjoying watching football today with no thoughts of placing a bet. Advertising of betting websites is doing my head in though, there are too many companies out there praying on the next would be compulsive gamblers.

Yes I'm watching football too. Trying not to think about betting. Jusf checking in at day 4. I'm here for the long haul!!!

Hi all. Just checkin in! Sorry it's late! 28 days gamble free today!

I'm able to walk past fruit machines and say no to putting bets on with ease right now. I'm feeling strong and am enjoying my gamble free days clocking up.. My new, cheaper addiction! Looking forward to getting to day 50!

ok so checking in

day 2 for me and feeling possitve

had a few erges today but avoided them and did other things.

will check in again later in the week

Hi All, Im LK89 and I am a Compulsive Gambler.

I have been completely addicted to betting on the football for the last 8-9 years. After many attempts to quit on my own, and over £10,000 worth of debts accrued due to my addicition, I have finally accepted I can't quit on my own and need the support of some of the very helpful people on this forum.

I had stopped gambling for a year after being forced to move from my rented flat to my parent's due to the financial mess I had gotten into, but have started again over the last couple of months. Decided today that enough has to be enough after spending over £400 of my yearly bonus on gambling in the last week.

I have today Self Excluded myself from my Online Accounts and taken so much inspiration from you all on here.. So please sign me up for the 2015 Challenge.. Day 1 and counting!

sorry i missed check in last week, lost track of the days. Safe and sound 566 GF days.

Del 🙂

Sorry for not checking in last week, I've been posting on my own diary most of the week and I just assumed I'd checked in, will keep a better eye on it in future. I am still bet free, happy to announce that and this can be my check in for this coming week to, thanks.

Being two months in is great but I've been feeling the urges and don't feel good about that, I just don't want to fail and I'm not convinced I'll see it through, I will keep trying and I'll keep posting and speaking to my wife so I think I'm doing the right things - except missing the bloody check in! - Won't happen again.

You mentioned Cheltenham in the update and that will be a big 4 days for me. I've been trying to quit for years yet never not bet at Cheltenham so I really need to be on my guard and be around this site. Things I will be doing is as I said stay close to this site and keep this challenge at the front of my mind. I will make sure my wife knows it's Cheltenham week and get her to ask me if I'm betting all week so I know if I bet it have to become the liar I once was. I've told friends that bet that I've given up so they shouldn't text me about it and my work colleagues are gonna keep an eye on me! If it's really tough I'll leave my phone at home so I can't bet online while at work. Although I'm getting urges and I keep thinking I will bet Im still here, still making the right choices so I know I can do it and I know I want to, I just can't wait until it's over if I can beat Cheltenham I don't know what I'll do but I'll be very proud of myself.

Great update Phil, your updates certainly keep us all focused for the week ahead. and are very much appreciated.

A massive well done to Baggins(Joanna) on one whole year of being gamble free, and the First Lady soldier to do this milestone on the challenge thread.

Congratulations Joanna, you were one of the first soldiers on here who helped me and supported me at the beginning of my recovery, and helped me in the early days to stay strong, Thank you.

Checking in on 308 days, and proud to be marching with all soldiers on this challenge,

stay positive, keep strong and focused, and keep marching forwards and upwards,soldiers and keep,gambling where it belongs in the gutter. we cannot win because we cannot stop so why start again, there is no point.

Suzanne xx

265 days gf keep up the good fight guys, felt those old urges coming back keep walking past the bookies no good can come of it

Well done baggins!!!!! One year free from gambling today, I'm so pleased for you Joanna. For the newer soldiers here baggins was a huge contributor to the 2014 challenge. As a result of her amazing progress her life music is so loud and busy that she only gets on here once a week to check in. She is a real success story for what this site and this challenge can help us achieve. Well done Lady Baggins!!!

natangclan and mjb4000 you have been added to the front page and checked in for this week. LK89 you need to make another post before midnight on Saturday and you will be added to the challenge.

Make this week a good one troops!!!

checking in this week

well done to all and thanks Phil for the update.

how will I handle Cheltenham? the same way I handle all the other big gambling opportunities every other week of the year - I make sure I make as many good choices as I can including many you've listed Phil.

Keep going troops

Tri

Dear Lady Baggins of Englandshire!!!

May we, your humble servants, wish you all the congratulations of the land following your 1 complete year of abstinence from ye gambling?

You really have been an inspiration to me and many others on these pages Joanne and I'm so so delighted to have had the privilege of walking this path with you.

May your recovery path be paved with love, laughter and happiness and may your lum reek lang!

Congratulations Jo - I still want that hug 🙂

Mr Brightside........checking in early this week, hand in hand with HRH Baggins xxx