Checking in with 50 days gambling free. Finances look tidy and I am mostly sticking to my pre-set budgets. Plane tickets for October holiday bought, so something good to look forward to.
Mood this week had been up and down, but I am not going back to day one!
Put in an 8 hour 40 OT shift today going to reward myself with a night out watching the main man Kell Brook next month for my hard work and dodging gambling for another week. Feels good
Day gf free
Hey I want to start today.
Checking in on day 98. Very close to the 100 never thought id get any where near this milestone. With all that has happened in the last few months i take no day for granted everyday is a struggle but i am determined and committed to living my life my way and gamble free.
Checking in thanks for your support Mixer
Congratulations Mixer on your continued good progress and thank you for the Guru Challenge. Fot me it's a place of sanctuary where I can gather my strength and prepare for the battles ahead. My goal is Guru status which I will achieve by not gambling one day at a time.
Best wishes to all my friends and fellow travellers....Abstainer ~ 8 days gamble free.
247 Gambling free days ! Checking in mixer my man . Life is beautiful without gambling ! Keep up the good work everyone 🙂
Sars
** GURU CHALLENGE - Latest WEEKLY ROLLCALL! ***
It's Sunday, 4th February 2018
Hello everyone and I sincerely hope you’re keeping well.
Carrying on from last week’s ’12 rules of life’, here’s another 50, this time focused on keeping fit and well. And if we look after ourselves, we’ll be in a better place to look out for and after those of us we care about too. Truly, everyone’s a winner, in the right, non-gambling, way.
Here’s the list (and a ‘hat tip’ to changemylife for it – thank you 🙂 )
50 Reasons why it’s worth keeping fit (and, if you’re able and up for it, team sports!)
1. Increases confidence
2. Builds friendships
3. Builds character
4. Improves self esteem
5. Improves memory
6. Reduces obesity
7. Develops resilience
8. Teaches respect
9. Improves mood
10. Develops creativity
11. Reduces anxiety
12. Reduces stress
13. Reduces depression
14. Teaches life lessons
15. Promotes fair play
16. Improves body image
17. Boosts brain power
18. Develops focus
19. Improves academic performance
20. Promotes social interaction
21. Improves brain functioning
22. Improves sleep
23. Improves decision making
24. Develops autonomy
25. Develops stronger bones
26. Develops stronger joints
27. Helps to control weight
28. Increases energy levels
29. Increases attention span
30. Improves quality of life
31. Teaches about value and respect
32. Improves cognitive functioning
33. Improves posture
34. Builds strength
35. Improves blood flow
36. Improves fitness
37. Teaches team work
38. Improves learning
39. Reduces fatigue
40. Improves breathing
41. Helps to learn from failure
42. Improves reflexes
43. Helps to achieve goals
44. Helps to develop coping skills
45. Improves immune system
46. Teaches about winning
47. Teaches about losing
48. A way to experience success
49. A way to have fun
50. To feel good and content
So, how are we doing this week…
ROLLCALL OF HONOUR
We have a new Striver. Step forward – Ineffable! Great stuff mate, and a great foundation and start to 2018!
4D – you are half-way to GURU (150 days GF), a magnific-“o” achievement. And NiceNormalFamily hitting the ‘nifty’ fifty days GF. Does it matter? I should coco! Our congratulations to you both.
WE WELCOME
Addictlondon – you’ve asked to join, consider it done. Looking forward to getting to know you. All you need to do drop us an update post every couple of weeks or so. Welcome aboard!
Our GURUs
Phil72 – 726 days – ROCKING! Homing in on 2 years gambling free Phil and as pragmatic and realistic as ever. A few more debt payments to pay – including, as you say, one for 29p! – and you’ll be clear. The rewards of being gambling free are plentiful and – in time - financial peace of mind is one of them.
Changemylife – 464 days – ROCKING! – Your last sentence of your latest post sums this gambling-free life journey, because this is what we aspire and give our all to; ‘Life is tough. But we don’t need to make it unbearable’. Exactly the point.
Degenerate – 313 – ROCKING! – Hope you’re keeping Ok Degen and, like you, am missing the Gamcare Chatrooms (a lot). At least Gamcare have listened, after a little ‘nudging’, and we can expect regular updates.
Our ELDERs
Sars27 – 247 days – ROCKING! – Thank you for your update Sars and noting that to keep gambling free requires 24/7 attention and your ‘247’ days GF seems apt somehow!
Rubybaby – 191 days - ROCKING! – Hi Ruby, haven’t heard from you for a few weeks … hope all’s well with you … do let us know.
Mixer – 177 – ROCKING! I’m glad I have highly restricted access to cash because this is a very tough addiction to fight … but I know I have to stick with it. And I am, but the financial restraints are making all of the difference. Recovering from this addiction demands you know yourself and know your weaknesses and dispassionately dealing with these in practice – for me, there’s no other way.
Raj – 169 – ROCKING! – Delighted you’re on a substantial gambling free path but watch out for temptations that can easily be our undoing – like visiting a casino. You know this…!
4D – 151 – ROCKING! I hope you’re OK 4D – half way to Guru! Do let us know how you’re getting on.
Boxingdayfresh & ndash; 126 days – ROCKING! Thank you for checking in and your kind words. I appreciate you’ve had some weak moments; but keeping strong. That’s testament to your underlying character. Great stuff BDF.
Paulll – 123 days - ROCKING! Thank you for the checking in. Keeping in touch like this is good for you, keeps that connection, and helps the rest of us too – to see others of our number wanting to live a better life, too!
Our STRIVERS
Marson123 – 98 - ROCKING! – You have written what I consider to be the post of the week. “Very close to the 100 never thought I’d get anywhere near this milestone.” That’s real sincerity right there, Marson, and you really deserve this 100-up that I know you’ll pass in the next couple of days. Keep it going, my friend.
Slotfool - 80 – ROCKING! – Regrets can knock us for six, as we know, but it’s how we learn from our experiences that will make us who we are going to be. The flip-side to regret is the joy of doing the right thing – and that’s exactly what you’re doing there. Your husband can see your determination, showing you care – 80 days and counting!
Chartom3 (*ELDER status achieved*) – 57 – ROCKING! Ruts can manifest when we least expect them, especially at this time of the year, in deep mid-winter. But it will soon get lighter and brighter and those non-gambling vibes start to kick-in. You’re at the ‘dig in’ point and that’s what you’re doing – full respect to you.
NiceNormalFamily - 51 – ROCKING! – Being gambling-free really does start to yield cash almost from the off, even if you’re settling debts there’s a ‘bit’ there. So investing that cash, for example, paying for a holiday, is a good thing. We’re entitled to good days, bad days, strong days, weak days – so long as we don’t gamble today, we’re doing great!
Godoicul – 44 – ROCKING! – You’re keeping busy with a hard-earned overtime shift under your belt. Are you going to give the proceeds to a gambling operator – are you **** (as they say). This can be a struggle at times – not gambling today is all we have to do.
Adam123 - 43 – ROCKING! – Fantastic not only to see you hit 43 hard-fought gambling-free days but the support you’re offering around the forums, like so many of us too. As I’ve written before – it’s good karma!
Ineffable – 36 – ROCKING! – Thank you for your kind words; you’ve got a very pleasant disposition and your ‘sunny side up’ outlook will put you in great stead for the multitudinous advantages of being gambling free!
NEW & re-RESOLVED MEMBERS
Leeders100 - 25 – ROCKING – You’re right; putting a bet on the footy leads to the FOBTs in your gambling mind’s journey so you’ve got to nip it all in the bud and don’t bother to place any bet. So simple, but it’s true isn’t it. Remem ber, if you’d’ve won, you’d’ve given it back, and then some more. That’s what makes us problem gamblers and we can never go back to being ‘casual gamblers’ – we’re ‘hard-wired’.
Clarence123 – 15 – ROCKING – I hope you’re Ok Clarence; we are with you all the way, here, you know that.
Abstainer (*ELDER status achieved*) – 9 - re-RESOLVED – Thank you for your kind comments, Stephen. This thread is a sanctuary, a place where you can visit with unconditional support with people who share your journey. Plus you’re a ‘good egg’ and you’ve got a lively diary that’s always an uplifting place to be.
Amt722 – 8 – (*ELDER status achieved*) - re-RESOLVED – I hope all’s well with you, Amt 722 – you’re a long-standing and valued member of the Challenge.
Christer1 – 3 – re-RESOLVED – Sometimes a relapsed can lead to another in swift succession; proof, as if it’s needed, of the dangers of falling off the GF wagon. But you are doggedly getting back into position and are determined to stop. What can you do differently next time – there’s always something that can be done. And full respect to you, Christer, for your honesty.
RESTED THIS WEEK
Mitch91 – RESTED – I have to rest you, Mitch; I hope you understand. But you’re welcome back at any time, mate – just give me the word.
STATS FOR NERDS: 1 new member and 1 rested; we currently have 3 GURUs, 7 ELDERs, 7 STRIVERs and 5 NEW/re-RESOLVEDs; a net total (inc. our newbie) of 23.
*** JOKE OF THE WEEK ***
Did you ever wonder why earrings became so popular with men?
A man is at work one day when he notices that a colleague is wearing an earring.
The man knows his colleague to be a normally conservative person and is curious
about his sudden change in "fashion sense."
He says to him, "I didn't know you were into earrings.”
"It is not such a big deal, it's only an earring," he replies sheepishly.
His friend falls silent for a few minutes, but then his curiosity prods him to ask:
"So, how long have you been wearing one...?"
Without hesitation, his mate replies ...
"Ever since my wife found it in my car...!"
🙂
This is a tough time of year everyone – let’s keep strong!
Mixer
Checking in.
I am okay. Looking forward to Chat working again.
Thank you Mixer for yet anoyher inspirational roll call. I must admit i am humbled by your words. Life is looking up at the moment shall be moving into a new home soon, i have my financial plan set in place. Looking where i was 98 days ago i would never have thought i would have achieved so much in this time. However I do not take anything for granted the lows will come but i have my mind set and I always have this place to help keep me on track. Well done to all fellow challengers have a good week and remember why your here.
Mick
Thanks for update mixer and words of encouragement. Here's to another successful week, adam
​
Hi Mixer Going to jump on the Bus if thats OK, need to get to the year and beyond. Thanks.
Thanks for the update mixer, I'm now on day 88 lol, please add 2 weeks on the next roll call 🙂
Hello Mixer. Sorry to say I have gambled today and can't understand my actions.
I am taking time out from the diaries to try and make sense of it all and get my thoughts together.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. Would you take me off the challenge please.
Wishing everyone well...stephen
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