We CAN and we WILL - Join the 100 day and 2017 Challenges!

I'll be posting a rollcall tomorrow; and, I have to say, genuinely enjoying the positive messages, Kirsty, Markman, Sbb, JayD and Vamp!

Let's keep strong. It really matters. And it's possible!

I won't pretend for a moment it's easy being GF. Nearly 40 years gambling tells me that. I am a BS-free zone.

I'm not going to deny it; I'm drinking more, but not to silly levels.

It will take a while for me to find a balance.

But as long as it's GF, I don't care for now. The balance will find itself. Meantime, please keep posting, especially when the hard-fought, and winning, GF state is getting the upper hand, day by glorious day!

Day 179 gf, closing in on the 6 month mark. Hope everyone is doing well.

Silver

Good evening. It's with sadness to report to you that I buckled tonight and lost £100 gambling.

I could give you the reasons why but, to be brutally honest, it is irrelevant. The fact is, I buckled and frankly shouldn't have. No excuses, no self-pity either.

I allowed a combination of events - some good, some sad, some long-term ongoing issues, to turn myself into a bad direction and waste money.

I won at first, but, absolutely true to form, carried on till I lost. The same totally predictable cycle that infects as all.

I am not going to insult you by suggesting I could have 'hidden' my lapse to give a good impression and ongoing 'feel good' for the 100 day challenge.

Because Hiding or lieing is not an option; this is real life.

The challenge and rollcall continues! I will be installed back at Day 1 and WILL hit 100 days at the second time of asking.

I may have blipped. But please, please: keep extra strong. It's truly motivational to you and inspirational to others.

I am sad that I've failed tonight. It matters. But, like so many of us, I will be back tomorrow.

When Rhoda, a long standing member of our group, and whom I have a lot of respect, buckled, she was most insistent that there should be no "there, there, never mind" responses and I feel the same way. I really understand. Because relapsing isn't good. It happens, but it's not good. Not good at all.

It's back to basics for me. I have to grit my teeth and tell my loved ones; they ain't going got like it. The money supply will need to be controlled again. I have a simple choice - life, or misery?

It's as simple as that. As we all know so well.

Right: back In the saddle; and rollcall will be back tomorrow.

Thank you.

Gf still

Mixer wrote:

Good evening. It's with sadness to report to you that I buckled tonight and lost £100 gambling.

I could give you the reasons why but, to be brutally honest, it is irrelevant. The fact is, I buckled and frankly shouldn't have. No excuses, no self-pity either.

I allowed a combination of events - some good, some sad, some long-term ongoing issues, to turn myself into a bad direction and waste money.

I won at first, but, absolutely true to form, carried on till I lost. The same totally predictable cycle that infects as all.

I am not going to insult you by suggesting I could have 'hidden' my lapse to give a good impression and ongoing 'feel good' for the 100 day challenge.

Because Hiding or lieing is not an option; this is real life.

The challenge and rollcall continues! I will be installed back at Day 1 and WILL hit 100 days at the second time of asking.

I may have blipped. But please, please: keep extra strong. It's truly motivational to you and inspirational to others.

I am sad that I've failed tonight. It matters. But, like so many of us, I will be back tomorrow.

When Rhoda, a long standing member of our group, and whom I have a lot of respect, buckled, she was most insistent that there should be no "there, there, never mind" responses and I feel the same way. I really understand. Because relapsing isn't good. It happens, but it's not good. Not good at all.

It's back to basics for me. I have to grit my teeth and tell my loved ones; they ain't going got like it. The money supply will need to be controlled again. I have a simple choice - life, or misery?

It's as simple as that. As we all know so well.

Right: back In the saddle; and rollcall will be back tomorrow.

Thank you.

Mixer - A slip is not a stop sign mate, its a guideline !

You know why you messed up.....address these issues and get up here on wagon again...your seat is sitting empty waiting for you!

Sbb

Day 63 GF for me, still have no desire or interest in gambling despite all the little birthday offers dangling in my inbox...haha! Loved pressing delete but couldnt resist ranting at the VIP Manager who sent the emails when I have self-excluded! My sisters tumour results will be shared with us on Tuesday and that remains my focus, my gambling issues feels somewhat insignificant in relation to hers! But I am grateful that gambling introduced me to a wonderful counsellor who is supporting me through the trauma of my sisters illness too.

Sorry to hear about your slip Mixer. Let it spur you on to giving up gambling for good. You can do this

Silver

Keep going Mixer. You're not the first and won't be the last. Hope you're not being too hard on yourself. It's a war which we will all win eventually if we remain committed to abstaining from gambling but with all wars, you will lose some battles along the way.

Day 40 GF for me today. I am probably the worst type of degenerate compulsive gambler you can think of. Had in excess of 20 creditors and got to the point where I was approaching people on Facebook who I hadn't seen for over ten years asking to borrow money, all to feed my next hit!

If I can stop for 40 days, then anyone can.

Mixer I've enjoyed being part of this challenge from the beginning and I know a few will cross the line next week but I'd rather cross the finish line with yourself as i and many others have taken a lot from your enthusiasm. So put me back to one and we'll crush this together

No solider left behind

Mixer and Deano, may I join you? Mix , my friend, and I do consider you that, it may have sounded harsh last night when I said that I was waiting for you to choose to gamble, but I felt it was going to happen. You have been so driven in organising this challenge, so supportive of other people, I think you were forgetting your own recovery. As I said last night, your honesty on chat gave me the first glimpse of you. Thank you for that. You have shown that you have the determination and will power to make the days add up, but you need to tackle those demons, if life is truly going to get better. This isn't about gambling anymore, is it? So the 100 day walk begins again, this time we are a little more prepared, a little more humble, and we have the advantage of knowing our companions a little better.

*** LATEST ROLLCALL for the 100 DAY CHALLENGE ***

Welcome to our group where 33 magnificent hardy souls are choosing life over misery, day by day. Our aim is to get to 100 days gambling free (GF). Join us, just drop us a line!

• For members of our group still Gambling Free, and with at least 89 days GF - *** DAY 89 COMPLETE! *** Start date: 14th Dec 2016, End Date: 24th March 2017.
• For our members who've had a wobble, and have had the courage and fortitude to tell us, thank you for your honesty and it shows your character and determination that you are right back in the saddle - more than doubly committed this time.
• For our members with less than 89 days GF under their belts, let's see how you're getting on below! You are doing great and the rest of us will wait for you at the finish line, cheering you on!

Here's where we all are. The first column represents your consecutive GF days, and the second the number of days towards the 100-day challenge.

1 Allana 19 / 19 … 24/02/2017 --> 03/06/2017
2 Athena 64 / 64 … 01/01/2017 --> 11/04/2017
3 attraction 33 / 33 … 09/02/2017 --> 19/05/2017
4 babapapa 97 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
5 Clarkey 53 / 53 … 21/01/2017 --> 01/05/2017
6 Dean0 192 / 1 … 15/03/2017 --> 25/03/2017
7 dsh 90 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
8 Emily82 47 / 47 … 27/01/2017 --> 07/05/2017
9 fiddlesticks 101 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
10 JayD 122 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
11 Jim24 90 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
12 JI 19 / 19 … 07/01/2017 --> 17/04/2017
13 Kirsty 18 / 18 … 01/03/2017 --> 11/06/2017
14 KO (Mick) 44 / 44 … 30/01/2017 --> 10/05/2017
15 Lady H 44 / 44 … 01/02/2017 --> 11/05/2017
16 LHN 74 / 74 … 29/12/2016 --> 09/04/2017
17 M (SC) 96 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
18 MarkMan 64 / 64 … 10/01/2017 --> 20/04/2017
19 mccawpa 20 / 20 … 24/02/2017 --> 04/06/2017
20 Mixer 1 / 1 … 15/03/2017 --> 25/06/2017
21 Our Lady 24 / 24 … 19/02/2017 --> 29/05/2017
22 panders 62 / 62 … 13/01/2017 --> 23/04/2017
23 Rhoda 37 / 37 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
24 Sam 289 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
25 Samson 185 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
26 Silver 179 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
27 Skyblue 162 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
28 Smorgan 19 / 19 … 24/02/2017 -->03/06/2017
29 Sodawater 35 / 35 … 21/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
30 Triangle 1099 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
31 Vamp 39 / 39 … 05/02/2017 --> 15/05/2017
32 Wardal 108 / 89 … 14/12/2016 --> 24/03/2017
33 woodley 78 / 78 … 27/12/2016 --> 06/04/2017

*** ROLLCALL SUCCESS *** - congratulations to fiddlesticks, hitting three figures! Very well done mate; it's a genuine achievement, and do not let go of the fact you are 11 days away from being amongst the first to hit the 100 day challenge, too. Hang in there, one day at a time - 11 days to go! Babapapa, and SC (Mari) are also hot on the heels of hitting 100 days. Mari, I know you've rested from the Gamcare scene and we're all thinking of you, OK 🙂

As you know, I had a blip yesterday, which I posted in detail yesterday and won't elaborate here. Suffice to say, I am back on day 1 and will start again. I reminded myself of the simple truth - I can't win and will simply lose. We all have our problems, some major, major crosses to bear but gambling is not the refuge which we should seek. So, I'm back and resolved as ever.

I will touch on some replies because they could be helpful to us all as we all, day by day, seek to remain at the GF destination. I prefer this analogy to that of a 'journey', because when you're GF you've arrived at the 'promised land'. It's simply a case of staying there which means fulfilling one goal, a statement said at the beginning of the day and repeated thoroughout, if necessary: Today, I won't gamble, whatever's thrown at me.

I was on the Gamcare webchat a couple of days ago - if you haven't tried it, friends, then I really recommend it - and someone said: "I've been GF for a while, but the memory of the losses has faded, the wins still seem memorable". I can tell you, having buckled, and lost, that the painful memory of losing returned all too quickly, along with the attendant guilt, fear that I might lie to my wife (still haven't told her...) and of course the gap in the bank account - all so unnecessary. So.... if my memories of losing were getting diluted, they're back to their full horrible strength now. So, if you're thinking of a relapse - please don't!!!

Sbb, you are spot on as always - a slip is not a stop, it's a guideline. It's about learning what went wrong and make sure there's mitigaton in place to stop it happening again, building up that arsenal of weapons to fire at anti-GF attacks. Thank you for that place on the wagon, that empty seat is filled! And that applies to anyone who has wobbled - just get back on track straightaway!

Panders, I am delighted that your counsellor is dealing both with supporting your gambling issues and also helping with you with your sister's plight. Let's hope the results of her scan are better than anyone can hope - our fingers are crossed and we are with you all the way Pander.

Silver lining, you are doing great and thank you for your kind words. Likewise, Vamp - on Day 40 and making a really good shot at this. Day by day, you are making the mother of all turnarounds - keep it going!!!

Dean0, thank you for you kind offer at starting the challenge back on Day 1 with me, which I accept (the stats above have reset your 100-day challenge total to 1, retaining your personal totals). "No soldier left behind" - I really liked that Dean0; thank you mate. Top drawer from a top geezer!

Rhoda, your words are so true, very true what you have said and it's not about gambling, it's the underlying reasons. This is all in our heads. We need to face our fears, our demons, and the gambling will stop. We can hold it in abeyance, but wouldn't it be nice to put a dagger through the root cause and nail this curse once and for all!

JayD, you are as reliable as ever with your daily checking in. Iron discipline and determinedly grinding this out. Kudos and respect.

Let's keep strong everyone. And, let's keep positive and enjoy this challenge. Just think, every day we are all GF we're depriving the bookies etc of over a one months' income between us - there are 33 of us! Doesn't that bring a smile to your face? 🙂

*** JOKE OF THE DAY ***

Five surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.
The first surgeon says, 'I like to see accountants on my operating table
because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.'