Boxing Day 1

Difference now is you have something to show for your money & no gambling headaches 🙂

I'm not saying don't be careful, just don't be too hard on yourself! Surely a health grill is something that would benefit you? You need to look after yourself after all!

Yeah - I've reassessed the budget and decided to keep the health grill ! And feels good to have the things to show for my money - tbh I'm amazed ... almost one month in I've had so much more spare cash and that's with paying my debts and saving up too.

26th January.

One month done. ..feels like I stopped ages ago now.

Spent a lot on other things and enjoyed it ! Now just need to stick at it !

Well done Clare!!! I am always rooting for you!!

Mel xx still 4 days behind you!

Thanks Mel. Sooo glad you are still four days behind me 🙂 you best stay there!!

Clare xx

All the threes, thirty three days gamble free !!!!

Day 34.

Still gamble free. Too many things to save up for - can't ever risk going back to how I was before. Now I still spend a lot but I'm saving up too and pretty soon I'll be able to pay off balance on the holiday 🙂

Day 35 and not tempted to give up. Still optimistic to complete the 2015 challenge 🙂 looking forward to the 50 day milestone in two weeks.

Hi Clare, thank you for your support. Good luck to you as well in your recovery. Keep it up!

I'm loving the positive posts, where are you heading on your holiday? You better be completing the 2015 challenge, just imagine how much better life would be on 1st Jan 2016 without a bet for a full calendar year, you can do it!

Hi Claire

36 days today, well done and what a lovely positive post to read.

Suzanne xx

Hey guys thanks for dropping by my diary. Day 37 is here .. Can't wait for day 50, the next big milestone. Well, holiday wise I'm going to Majorca in the summer - that's the holiday that's really been my motivation to stop. I'm now saving each month to pay off the balance in April, then I'll be saving the spending money.

Since quitting gambling I've also booked two days away in a nice spa hotel - just chilling out. This will be to celebrate three months gamble free (end of March).

Im also heading to the seaside for a weekend at Easter. Will defo stay out of the amusements. All these trips away are now keeping me focused on staying stopped since I appreciate what money can do for our quality of life.

Really believe this forum has been the main reason for me staying stopped too. Counting the days and watching the counter roll, plus communication with people in the same situation and being able to find an outlet for my thoughts. The 2015 challenge is something I've risen to and my determination to suceed in this will ensure I remain gamble free.

I find it helps reading about how other people view gambling and the techniques I've learnt have also helped me stay stopped. I've now got a new tablet which does not have blocking software but I feel strong enough now and don't feel I'll try to gamble online. I've thought long and hard about gambling in a more logical way and the 'pleasure' is simply not worth the misery it brings. My life music has been playing and playing louder and louder. That daft little gambling tune is drowned out ; it's so low I feel like it's on mute.

I just know one thing - I can't and won't ever be complacent. It's a tough addiction to beat and my life music may, at some point in the future quieten .. and I don't ever want that gambling noise to surpass life's tune. I choose life music - blaring out.

Hi NT and thanks for dropping by. Well done on staying gamble free too. I'm confident we will both hit that big 5-0 soon.

I've read a really good post on the 2015 challenge about complacency by Tick Follows Tock and it's made me think again about ensuring the triangle remains in place. I've now installed blocking software on my tablet which feels safer if I did have a weak moment. In the past I've spent a fortune online after a few drinks and I could well imagine determination and strength dwindling at some point in the future; I'd hate to have a set back after a bit of alcohol reducing my willpower.

Hope all people out there remain gamble free and enjoy the weekend.

Clare x

Lost 6 pounds in 4 weeks (weight of course) and i'm very happy. This has been achieved through just making healthier choices. Ive still had the odd treat as i wouldnt say i'm on a diet; but losing 1.5 pounds a week is ideal as its sustainable for me.

By not gambling i've become much more focussed on me and what things are important to me as a person. Having put on a stone in just over six months (and i believe gambling was a contributing factor) i've decided the extra pounds have to go !

My goal now is to continue this weight loss of 1.5 pounds per week until my spa days away . By then im hoping to have lost 18 pounds altogether which will bring with it the added financial bonus of being able to fit into a lot of my clothes that currently don't fit me. I think of it as winning :).

Im finding other ways to benefit myself financially since financial gain was what I was ultimately seeking from gambling ..... (though we all know gambling always does the exact opposite !!!!!)

Ive also compared the Meerkat and shaved around £150 off my gas and electricity annual bills - yet again " big win!!!"

Loving finding new healthier and more successful ways to " win " in life's game !

Thanks NT yes I like to think I am winning at the moment and all really down to stopping gambling and giving me the time, money and energy I need to do other things.