Day 1.

Hi Paul,

It's never too late to quit and it does look very much as though the time is right for you to do so. I'm older than you I guess and I don't want to spend the rest of my life in gambling misery. As you may be aware there is lots of advice on The Forum. i use the 2015 diary and it's been a great help to me. It's very much one day at a time and I've got to 71 days "clean". I wish you every success and i hope the gambling free days mount up as quickly as they have done for me. What little money I have is now mine and not in the bookmaker's pocket.

Take Care Now.

Wise words Mr Stop. I literally reach day 2 this evening, Usually I get a few months in and break. I realise for the first time ever really, that in order for this to be a permanent change we must all devote each day stopping. Going to book a counselling session, hopefully it will help me deal with the problem once and for all. I suffer with insomnia, last night was awful, I literally nodded off for 20 minutes last night.

I spent most of yesterday reflecting on things, my family relationships, missed friends, my grandparents, gambling venues I visited and how I ended up here. In work at moment, waiting to put someone through a training session. No sleep and lots on my mind, this should be fun 🙂

Thanks for commenting, hopefully everything is good in your life Mr stop?

Day 2. The simple things.

Well, today reminded me that it's possible to get a buzz over something completely ridiculous, but pleasantly so. I wasted 400 quid two days ago, I felt awful. The garden fence also blew down, so I had to get 3 new panels and expected a 60-80 pound bill. I decided to use my initiative and found 3 panels, worth 35 quid each, with hardly any damage, 15 quid total. This gave me a buzz, it was funny and even felt good that I had something to show for my money. Great day, and help from my friend Chris (Gilo).

Day Three.

Planning to head in to town later, so I will be sure to put measures in place to ensure that I do not gamble, at all. I really want this to work, so I will post in my diary everyday so that I can stay focused on the objective. I think I have failed in the past due to lack of willpower and commitment to a goal. In fact I rarely stick to anything, so breaking the mould is difficult. As I am committed to changing my life, I really hope that I learn to put gambling and the losses behind me, when there is so much to gain.

Good luck everyone.

So, today wasn't a bad day. I got paid, paid my mortgage, went to town with my wallet and didn't even glance at the bookies when I passed it. I just bought what I needed and got something to eat, no urges at all but I did feel in an anxious state for two days and I haven't slept really for past 2 nights, looks like much of the same tonight.

Bought some kalms tablets and drank half a cider, probably not going to help me sleep, head is pounding too. Why can't I sleep? It must be the aftershock of everything suddenly stopping and over thinking everything, sleep tea is my nightcap, here's to a good night sleep everyone.

Finally, I would like to say that fobts so should be taken off the high street. I wish the government would stop dancing around the subject. However, they too are making a fortune off the misery of others. We live in a country, where the average Joe just doesn't matter.

Day Seven.

Who's counting? I'm happy to say I am seven days in now, and today I'm feeling like something is missing. Not sure if I'm feeling anxious because I'm not gambling, and finding other things to do instead. It's certainly not easy to get into a new habit, or breaking old ones. If you want to stop, I think you need to make positive changes by putting measures in place to help yourself. For me, seeing what I spend each month and moving money in to separate accounts, allows me to separate my savings from my spend. Seeing an entire paycheck in one account is far too dangerous for a gambler.

This is working for me. Maybe this is the answer for some of you, taking control is the answer. Gambling for me was always a choice. I chose to escape, didn't care about the consequences, I was selfish and only cared about myself. Finally I have reached a point where I can honestly say I'm going to try and stop forever. The best decision I ever made.

Paul

As daft as it sounds, the early days can be the easiest, its in the near future that it can be difficult. Complacency can be an evil things, so beware of it. As I say to many other people on here, get yourself to GA. It helps me massively and keeps you focused on the job in hand. I go every week and I see it as a reset button after the gambling thoughts chip away at me during the week. I'm at 73 days and am over the moon with my progress, but things can quickly change as we all know.

Good luck, get to GA and enjoy the rest of your life

Hi NT / Trotty

First of all, I want to say thanks for reading. I have to say, the first week has been ok, not many urges just the feeling that something was missing a couple of days ago. I'm filling the time we'll, any spare cash has been transferred from my account, to an online account. I feel in control, but I do agree with trotty that the early days are normally the easiest, then I let my guard down and do something stupid.

Posting here and reading other people's stories and sharing ideas, keeps us all motivated to an extent. Taking each day as it comes and keeping busy is the real challenge. Every problem has a solution, my solution is simply to not gamble and try harder to avoid getting myself in to trouble.

I hope you all enjoy this lovely, sunny bank holiday.

Paul

Day 9.

Well, it's been just over a week and I'm feeling good. Been reading a few diaries on the site, certainly writing a diary is very helpful. I bought a book not long ago, written by a recovering gambler. The book is called "Overcoming problem gambling" I found it very effective during my previous attempt to stop gambling, although there is no need to write a diary from the advice given in the book. The theory is that the recovering gambler will be dwelling on the past.

However, I am finding it very motivating writing a diary, and speaking to some very inspirational people on the gamcare website is very therapeutic. I say, find out what what works for you and go with it. The urges become less and less as you go on, and I honestly don't think my mindset would be this positive without staying active on the site.

I think we should be connected with the past as we recover, it grounds us and serves as a reminder, that gambling never leads to success. You won't make money, we all know that but it's worth examining what drives us to gamble. For me, I don't care about the money anymore, it's gone but it's not too late to change by working hard and being optimistic of the future.

Excellent work everyone, we can do this.

Paul

Day 10.

Not a bad day at all. Getting busy at work following an increase in personal clients, so it's positive in some respect. Now I am not thinking of gambling but the influx of new clients can be very time consuming. I'm literally working my way through my course work from past studies to learn more and put my basic nutritional knowledge in to practice.

My biggest distraction now is work, so I have to be mentally focused myself as I want to be the best I can be for my clients. My boss has offered to pay for my next course, and I am very lucky to have such a great employer and team of co-workers. Great to see all you guys on the list for your ability to stay away from the misery of gambling.

Well done everyone.

Paul

Well done on ten days, keep up the good work and it's great to see you have a really positive distraction in work.

Yeah! Well done so far. It will fly by soon.

Have you considered going to GA?

Hi guy.

Thanks for taking the time to read my diary, I really appreciate it and it inspires me. Currently on day 12 and yes it's great having work as a distraction. Felt particularly great yesterday as I was getting some really positive feedback from clients, I love my work.

I have considered GA meetings, but to be honest things have never quite felt this good. I'm in a great place now, so to be honest ill consider it. I am by no means out of the woods, but I don't even think about gambling anymore. Posting here and listening to you guys spurs me on.

I hope you guys are on too. Over the weekend I'll take time to read other people's posts, I feel bad for not spending enough time reading posts from others.

Good luck.

Paul

So, I am at 17 days now and to be honest I feel positive. No recent slip ups, deliberately worked when national day was on. To be honest, it wasn't remotely tempting to place a bet. Training is at the forefront of my mind and so are the clients at the gym.

My reasoning is, if it is my job to motivate people when they train, surely I can motivate myself to have a better life by not gambling. Feeling very tired, trained 4 hours in 2 days, getting up at 5am for work is catching up with me.

Stay strong everyone. ..

Paul