Day one 14/12/2013

Hi Phil thanks for supporting me on the challenge and on my diary! Just wanted to say that we are in this together and we will check in tomorrow night with another gamble free day.

I cannot avoid the race tomorrow, . Most of my family will have bets on and will want to watch it at mine. I don't mind, I can't avoid it and I won't but I will not participate and I will feel stronger afterwards rather than drawn back in.

I hope you get through it and I totally get how tough it will be but we will power through x

Linda

Thanks Joanna and Linda. Its great to get some support and this time tomorrow I will be celebrating passing another huge test.

I'm working from 2 so I won't see or hear anything about the race. I would rather it be like that as watching it would be too much for me to take. So off to bed shortly and hopefully Saturday will fly by.

Will post again in the morning!

You're the bomb.

That's all b***h.

Walt

Hey Phil,

Was just reading up on your diary, the situation with the racing papers seems to be a tough one. Temptation is the great nemesis, and having it right there in front of you is undoubtedly tough. Equally, its a free country.

Keep those defences strong, and over time you'll become immune to the temptation of seeing those papers open. Gambling ads with the sports I love are the same, it's just training the inner monologue to start speaking really loudly over the adverts. However, if I ever see Ray Winstone talking about his tool in the flesh, he may well get a slap.

I'm sure you'll stay strong through the weekend.

Ryan

Thanks for the message Ryan. I am with you about Ray Winstone I cant stand the guy anymore. Used to think of him as a good actor, now all I can think of when I see him is those awful adverts!

Just a quick post as I am off to work shortly, but I have got through the morning. I have not wanted a bet and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

The new Phil has had his first gamble free National and it must be almost 30 years since that happened. As a little boy my dad would always let me pick a horse. I have come so far in such a short amount of time.

NO BETS FOR ME TODAY.

110 days gone, I can remember how much of a struggle it was to make it to 10 days. To be sat here after 110 days and after Cheltenham and Aintree is amazing. Can't ever be complacent, but its a solid start.

Big rugby game for the Saints today in the cup. Still have a few injuries and it will be a really tough game. Hopefully we will win as I fancy us for a day out at Wembley for the final. Sadly I'm in work so won't get to see it, I will Sky Plus it and watch it when I get home tonight.

No bets for me today!

111 days gone and as I type there are yet more TV ads for gambling companies. Its just never ending, how many more addicts do these greedy companies want to create. I don't ever want to give another penny to these morally bankrupt companies that have taken advantage of me and many others over the years.

Can't wait to get work out of the way and finally have two days off. I'm getting increasingly fed up of my shift and weekend work. Maybe it didn't matter as much before as I lost all my money gambling so couldn't have a life. But now I have money but my rota prevents me having a social life because most weekends I'm in work!

No bets for me today!!!!!!!

Hi Bornagain - Many congratulations on your 111 days!

Agree with you about the proliferation of gambling site ads - even on the backs of buses nowadays... I have often said in my posts that keeping a mental picture of those fat cats living the life of Riley on our wasted money really helps in my resolve never to bet again.

I did visit a site yesterday, but only to self-exclude permanently; they were boasting they had just 'given' out £850 K in winnings - not surprisingly they didn't mention how much they had received..

Best wishes

Jo

Hey Big Philla,

Just checking in to say hi - hope you're feeling better and get yourself back on your feet - man flu is murder.

Take care

Mr B