*** Join The Guru Challenge! ***

Hi Guys..checking in..all Gambling Free. Been really busy..got in going to the gym etc..now more bothered about what exercise to follow etc..

Thank you for providing that link Ineffable... every visitor to Gamcare should be given it; it'll make a huge difference to so many of us if it's completed on Day 1.

Hello

Hello, I would like to join please. Aiming for Guru status.

Also good news mixer gamestop are looking for people to help with research for their online exclusion scheme which will help here's email address [email protected] there's a link in the new section on forum bit. Also this game awareness week by all betting shops seems abit desperate considering what fate could come out with them soon all seems a little late and just by them sticking no posters with prices is not enough.

Checking in at day 13. Still one day at a time.

Hi Mixer, thanks for your advice in chat last night. I phoned the self-exclusion number and I’m on the way to being self-excluded from all bookies within 3 miles of my house.

I’d like to be part of this challenge.

I’m 9 days GF at the moment, but do you start counting from today?

On this thread is it just about reaching a status or can we ask for advice too?

Raj - thank you for checking in and welcome back to the Challenge!

HDIGTT - a warm welcome to you, and, yes, if you want advice, just ask 🙂 we're all about supporting each other, so ask away.

Paull - welcome to the challenge. Great to chat to you last night and great you're taking meaningful positive action. Easy to talk the talk, but you're starting to walk the walk, my friend! You're on Day 9 and that's where you start. What matters is building up to Day 30, Striver level. Then we'll know if you mean business or not!

Thank you Christer for a great link and post there. And I agree with you, the bookies don't give a ***; this Reponsible Gambling Week is an irritation for them, they don't "care" about the problem (Per-leeeese!). Their advertising will be much improved, and strictly regulated, online and in the shops, removing all the cynical deals "deposit £10 get £10 free" where it's nigh on impossible to cash out. Nevertheless, we must look after ourselves and not gamble anymore - it's bad for us.

Geo - thank you for checking in, duly noted 🙂

Slot Fool - welcome to our ranks and a fool no longer. Your aim - Striver status and 30 days without gambling. Fool or wise man who wants life, not misery? You know the answer to that!

Right. Lets enjoy the weekend. If you're skint because you've already ****ed your money away, then think about it, and say to yourself: I'm not doing this next month ... do you REALLY want to live like this? C'mon!

Mixer

P.S. I never intentionally use profanity in my posts. All asterisks are my own; reword them as you will 😉 !

Hi

Checking in gamble free. Apologies for lack of contact. Staying busy at work to keep my mind off things. Sorting a DMP out with PayPlan. Start counselling week after next.

Have a great gamble free weekend all

Checking in Mixer - been a super busy week. Absolutely exhausted!

Happy vibes all round.

Thanks Mixer..still getting bonus emails but I found to focus of exercise is really good..good stress reliever. No urge at all to gamble,.would suggest everyone here to join. Keep up the good work and stay gamble free everyone..

SATURDAY THOUGHTS

Raj - I'm so glad you qualified your previous e-mail because a bit fo me thought... did you fall off the wagon (hey, look it happens to all of us...), but I hoped you didn't. And, being more healthier and fitter, you're proving that the benefits of going gambling free are manyfold.

Thanks for checking in, Adam, Mark - great to see you're chalking up the days. Payday soon. Ready for it? (It's 'just another day' when you're gambling free, remember.) Of course you are.

The objective of this thread is to will each other on, with a well-intended, intelligent, empathetic intent, backed up by common sense, pragmatism and a good baseline understanding and appreciation of this condition. It respects that we all have different ways of dealing with this; the maxim: "Whatever works for you". Some posters on here will say their way is the only way, almost messianical, and it is their right, but I respectfully disagree. Sometimes these posters will get controversial, personal and downright irritating; but personally I just brush them off like flies, just swat them away. They soon buzz off if you stand up to them. That said, if their way works for them, I wish them the best of luck; back to the maxim: "Whatever works for you.".

But this Challenge on its own will be, for most people, nowhere near enough and none of us must pretend it is. 'Willpower' will only get you so far before buckling; this is because the gambling devil on our shoulders is a patient demon and will strike as soon a weakness is found.

The are two areas that need to be dealt with, therefore. One, a change of mindset, realising that gambling is bad for us. Sounds obvious when I write it like that, but it is incredibly destructive to us, and our loved ones. Writing on the forums, counselling, joining GA, confiding in friends and family, working out the underlying reasons for the gambling are same ways that must be considered. And two, practical measures to ensure we can't gamble, like passing financial control to trusted friends and loved ones. Banning yourself from bookies, casinos and arcades; this can be done with a couple of phone calls.

If you rely on this Challenge alone, you'll more than likely fail, although I really hope you succeed. This assertion is borne out by the facts, which are, based on this Challenge, and the Challenge I ran before, what I call "the rule of 3".

• One third of us will drop out of the Challenge, and posting on Gamcare, never to be seen again.
• One third of us will hold their hands up to a relapse and try again, and keep posting
• One third of us will, day by day, reach successful targets and keep going; but I am sure most people in that third will have taken other measures, rather than just the Challenge alone.

Which 'third' are you going to be in? (And before you think I'm "holier than thou", I've been in all three. For the first one, I disappeared, but have come back after several months).

Aim for the successful third. And if you have relapsed, ask why and put measures in places to stop that weak spot being breached again!

Right, that's my post rattled out ... took me 12 mins exactly, I dont hang about - but hopefully my musings are helpful to you.

A happy, gambling free weekend everyone.

Mixer

Hi Mixer. It's 351gf for me. Respect for you and all others on this journey.

Day 14 Check In. A bit stressed at the moment as an old girlfriend is bringing me troubles. Fighting off the urges as it is. Wishing everyone a strong continual recovery.

One day at a time.