2015 Challenge

Checking in on day 49. Half century tomorrow.

Still feeling very low and have noticed that I'm now binge eating so need to sort that out as well.

Stay strong everyone and remember together we can do it

Checking in - 61 Days "clean".

It feels good and I'm still feeling strong.

Hope everyone is feeling likewise.

Cheers.

Day 79 and feeling utterly miserable. No desire to gamble but just feeling really unhappy. Wish I knew why. At least I still haven't been gambling and lying to the people that matter to me. I'm sure this won't last.

Well done all. Keep up the good work.

Simon

Checking in again, no gambling to report. quite enjoy checking in, but i'enjoying not gambling much more!

Hi my name is Ryan and I would like to join the 2015 challenge.

I'm 20 years old and i've been gambling since the day I turned 18 and was able to place bets online, i'm mad about sports and just kind of fell into the whole gambling. I don't bet in the casino or any slots just the sportsbooks. Whether it's cricket, tennis, football, volleyball you name the sport i've probably had a bet on it. It started off fine as it probably usually does, then out of nowhere it just got a grip on my life the past probably year and a half. I was training as an apprentice electrician and each year the money got better and better the more money I would stake. I guess I didn't really see the value of the money nor was too bothered staking £100 and sometimes even £1,000 on one bet. The past 6/8 months have been tortuous. I would bet about £1,000 each month after I had paid my bills for my phone, car, rent etc. I guess I never really realised how selfish I was being. I was with a girl from 15 so 5 year and gambling ruined this relationship somewhat 5 months ago. Instead of using my wages to take her out and do exciting stuff, I just blew it. I was selfish. I had hit a low, I took out loans, payday loans and lots of them. I've probably racked up about £19,000 in debt. I came clean to her about the loans and the problem I had which was so hard, I just broke down; I had nowhere to go. Two or three weeks passed and I just couldn't take seeing her upset and how what I was doing was affecting her so much. Stupidly I ended it, I couldn't stand myself putting her through it too. I would win a grand or two in a week but I'd put it back in, I was never winning.

I lost my job today, not just due to gambling but it has played a huge part and is mainly down to this. I've got a messed up knee I need an op for too, but gambling got me down to a hole where I couldn't get out of. I wasn't clearing my debts I was just gambling more and more. I would get up £2,000 in a week or so and then just blow it instead of clearing my debts. I couldn't pick myself up to go to work, nor days at college would be spent at home gambling the day away until the early hours of the morning. I didn't think it could get much worse after losing someone I truely felt I could spend my life with, until I lost my job today. Now i'm going to lose my car & I've got to look at declaring myself bankrupt, it's the only way. Has anyone else gone bankrupt and could offer some advice on it as i've only looked into it this evening.

The door is open for me to reapply for my old job as soon as I have my operation and get myself sorted. I need to do this for myself and get my life back on track whilst I'm young. It's not a given that i'll get my old job back but it's a target. I'm hoping this challenge will keep me on the straight and narrow and not have the urge to bet. It's been hard with all my friends going to uni and them being the close knit of friends that were around. Gambling was something I turned to for an escape, the money was a bonus when you win but it's just that escape and something you just turn too.

I've jeopardised relationships and lost someone who has played a huge part in my life growing up together and going through so much. That's what hurts me everyday. I need to do this and I want to do this. I want to get clean, I want my job back, I want my life back. Who knows maybe I'll get her back, I've just got to get myself straight. I'm rambling here & apologies for that. But count me in, today is day 1. Day 1 of a new beginning, a fresh start and me taking my life back.

Ryan.

Checking in on my birthday. Day 56 what a fantastic feeling. Long way to go financially but realising on this glorious sunny morning that I am a much happier person and have a lot more energy and feel more motivated. I am calmer with my children , more focused in my job and friendlier with my friends!

Happy birthday Poblwc great going on 56 days already .

Delboygolf (Steve) has reached that fantastic milestone of one year today, it truly is an amazing achievement, because the journey is not all roses, and it really does take 100% commitment to be able to achieve this.

He started the 2014 challenge when he came to this forum, and he has continued with the 2015 challenge he is an inspiration to us all. Congratulations Steve xxxx

Suzanne xx

Checking in on day 10 its hard going but i am determind to do this slowly coming to terms that the money i have lost is gone forever..... hoping for my second gamble free weekend.

Day 6 for me which really is an achievement as I used to gamble everyday

actually started reading Danny bakers autobiography which is really good

before I would be poring over the fixtures for the day or the race cards

what was I doing !

im sure I'm not out of this but at least it's a start !

jim

Ryan (ry4ncj) you have come to the right place, theres loads of help for you here. Things have clearly got bad for you, but plenty of us on here would love to be 20 again and choose to stop then rather than go through the years of hell that we have. You will see on here that people have stopped gambling and changed their lives so there is no reason you cant do the same. Once you have made another post you will be checked in and added to the challenge.

Big congratulations to delboygolf on a year gamble free. You have done yourself and those close to you proud Steve. Congratulations and I really look forward to reading your post today!

Keep checking in troops!

delboygolf serious congratulations on your year

an amazing achievement looking forward to your post as well

well done tri

Well done on the year delboygolf. Great achievement

checking in 182 days gamble free.Feelin good after 6 months.yes im still in debt but chippin away at it.but no stress brought on by gambling.feel so much better inside.

Well done especially to Delboygolf but also to everyone who goes a day without gambling. It's a a terrible insidious, progressive illness so a day without gambling is progress in itself.

Personally, had a great week. No urges to bet and have joined a gym, - getting up early and going has re-energised me and added extra focus. Life music is pumping loudly and gambling urges are in a little box, tucked safely away in my pocket.

Hope you all have a great day and week ahead.

Delboygolf Well done on a tremendous achievement of a gamble free year! I am so pleased for you! Recovery is a winner! Enjoy your celebration, you deserve it 🙂 Keep up the good work.

Love Mama B xx