2015 Challenge

Checking in for the week on 361. Can say throughout my whole time on this challenge and the 2014 one this is the most worrying week I have faced.like you phil I used to love Cheltenham and been betting on it from a very young age in fact if I look back on my problem it probably started when I used my lunch money to bet on Cheltenham during my school days.

reason why I'm so worried about this week is I've had little thoughts today about certain races during the week that I've seen advertised on tv and radio. I've tried my best to avoid any coverage of it but it's everywhere and only going to get worse from tomorrow. I'm determined to see this week out as it would kill me to slip the week I to celebrate the year milestone. I usually only visit the site few times a week but will be on here a lot more this week to help me battle these gamblin thoughts

Cheltenham was high up on my list of sporting highlights. I'm only on Day 50 and of course it keeps entering my thoughts. I've had one or two minor pangs tonight but I won't bet. I've come to far now to slip up this week. I come to this site a lot anyway because I find it helps me give advice to others. That's what I'll carry on doing this week. I'm still determined to stay gambling free the whole of 2015.

Cheers Now.

Hi all,

I am still here, check in day 81 GF. Sorry for not posting for so long, but the last 3 weeks haven't been the best weeks for me. Been also in a 6 days holiday back home, where dad had a lung cancer operation....but all went well, coming back in UK, still looking for a new job, I will go through all the missing posts in the next few days. Gambling seems to be a past "crazy addiction", now feeling stronger and happier. Good luck for all of us!!!!

Hey Phil, thanks for the uplifting reply. I am brand new to all of this, how do I check in? And sorry I forgot to mention my name (Aran) on the post.

Aran have a read of the front page of this thread and maybe have a skim through the posts to give you an idea how it works. All you need to do to be added to the challenge is make your first weekly check in post at some point before midnight on Saturday stating how many days you are on and how you are doing.

Ringerbell I am looking forward to your post on Friday to say you are a year gamble free. Don't let Cheltenham ruin a years hard work. That first bet will damage your finances, your mental well being, your relationships with others etc..... its just not worth it!!! Glad to hear you like me are going to be strong MrStop, Cheltenham can f**k off, I'm not wasting a penny on it!

Phil well done on your 100 days! I'm enjoying your recovery! It's a wonderful gift. Cheltenham is like a time bomb - stay well clear! You, Ringerbell and others have a much better race to run - the race for life! Keep up the good work - Big Mama is watching you !

Love Mama B xx

Congratulations to Cheryl and Phil as they both hit the century club today, well done its a great milestone to achieve.

Suzanne xx

Good morning troops, checking in on day 100 and feeling brilliant, Cheltenham won't be getting a penny off me this week. I've decided not to watch Sky Sports this week to avoid their Cheltenham gambling ads that come on every 15 minutes. Well done to Cheryl on her century today. Thanks to Mama B for the kind message and thanks to all my fellow soldiers, together we are stronger and this challenge is working.

Be strong this week, keep the barriers up and don't slip up. My barriers are stronger than ever and I'm loving life!

Morning All,

Totally echo the points above, if you are or were into betting on racing then this week was the best. It's not easy to ignore but im just keeping my tv off before and it's important to realise that these bookies would never give you something for nothing. All these 'amazing offers', look at them outside the box, the racing is ridiculously competitive, it always it, the bets you get back are ALWAYS only free bets that you then dont get back the stake and when you think about it these are just ways to entice you in. We are exactly the sort of people that need to not give into that sort of enticing, hence why we are on this website, because we can't stop.

Stay strong over the next four days if this used to be your thing and be very very proud of yourself!

day 22 and coming up to that first month, getting easier and trying to avoid talking about betting to anyone and if I see a story on facebook or something I just ignore it now. Hope you are all going well

Afternoon everyone today is the day I used to live for in the horse racing calander the first day of Cheltenham. That was until this year now today was the day I was dreading, especially as it was this day last year that my last relapse happened. I've not thought about gambling for the majority of my 362 days since my last bet yet today thoughts were trying to creep into my head.

So to counteract them I've taken a list of jobs that need done around the house and have the radio on listening to the legends that are ac/dc. I am trying to avoid any tv adverts or radio coverage of the festival. The thought of celebrating a year gamble free are driving me on as well as I know deep down doesn't matter if I did bet today and win I'd have lost it all by the end of the week anyway

If I can fight the demons this week brings anyone can, hope you all are doing good :). I plan to be celebrating the end of this Cheltenham week, but not because I had a big win on a horse but because I've had a big win in life 🙂

boxingday1 wrote:

Hello All

I am relatively new to this site as I only gave up gambling on Boxing Day, but already I have found it a massive help in providing a place to go for help and distraction away from my online slot addiction. I am on day 4 and it is the very first time I have attempted to quit gambling altogether. I also like going to the bingo (mainly to play slots) but this of course is now not an option. It is the first time in my life that I have realised I CANNOT manage my own gambling and I cannot gamble in moderation. Looking back at 2014 I am now over £11k in debt just from this year alone - taking out several credit cards and always increasing my overdraft to live having spent all available money I can get my hands on countless times. Thankfully I have always managed to cope with rent and bills etc but I've thought nothing of cutting back on everything else such as shopping, treats with the kids, buying clothes etc to fund my selfish habit.

Well that was 2014 - the worst financial disaster and time wasted and it must not ever be repeated. 2015 will be the year of living comfortably, saving up money to pay off my forthcoming family holiday and also provide us with enough Euro's to have a good time (hol is July). As we speak I have left myself and family short for the next couple of weeks and from the 12th January I will look forward to having a reasonable level of money to spend on a weekly basis so that we can do more things together and not have to worry any more about missing out on stuff I should be able to afford to buy the kids. Ashamedly I have also spent all the kids money too and it is heart breaking when they ask how much they have in the bank from Birthdays and Christmases over the years. I have to tell they how much they should have, but that money simply isn't there :(.

However, I know to the exact £ how much they should have in their bank accounts and I want to save this money up for them this year so that I can put it all back in their accounts and by next Christmas I will present them both with their bank books showing the money that belongs to them. That's my goal and I fully intend to reach that goal and leave the selfish me in 2014.

I look forward to sharing my journey to recovery with you all and reading about your lives and this is me joining the 2015 challenge with gusto!

Clare

Hi I am only on day 2 your story is similar to mine I am trying the sane as you are to finally kick this addiction day by day is the only way I can see me getting through this

Hi one and all,

Just checking in on day 621! No thoughts or urges for the past week and always looking forward now not looking back! Really chasing down that two year target which will be a top feeling! As always here to give advice if needed!

Kind Regards

Krishan

Checking in on day 3.
Amazed to see people reaching such big milestones (well done).
I just switched on the tv and Madrid are playing. Sickened by the number of gambling adverts shown and how the companies suck you back in.