Festina Lente

Ur doing great steve i thinks its a great idea the way u set we targets so gud luck with ur next target tomorrow a day at a time. And thanks 4 ur support!

Cheers 1000 and Ronnie for your support, did make me chuckle. Day 49 today which is 7 whole weeks. Never truly believed I'd ever get this far. Tomorrow is 50, how good is that! How did I do it? By reading and posting on here every day, reinforcing my commitment and remembering what brought me here. This and all the people on it is my biggest and best barrier. I'll continue setting small achievable targets for now, I have tried so, so many times in the past to weepingly declare 'I'll never gamble again' only to, well you can probably guess. This feels like failure whereas if I now set small targets then I taste success on a regular basis and gives me greater motivation to carry on. 50 is my next target and I will reach that because today I will be strong.

I am already preparing for my next target by stocking the fridge with cottage cheese, curry sauce and fish paste. The date I'll set is 67 days or 9 1/2 weeks. If I reach it then I expect Kim Basinger to turn up to offer her congratulations but knowing my luck it'll be Mickey Rourke in tight spandex.

Today will be a busy day, my daughter's now back in school so it's off for a cycle, gym and swim then this evening I've got a fishing match, my first ever so I'm really really looking forward to that. I'm not going to gamble today because I'd be an idiot to do so. You can never win when you can never stop, always one bet away from that almighty binge. Mentally cannot afford it. Take care all, stay strong, urges pass, if you always resist for one more day you'll beat this. Life begins now, Steve.

Thanks ste for your post on my diary, I had a long chat with my bf last night and although he understands, he feels left out in the cold a bit which i also understand. I am a work in progress and trying to break the habit of a lifetime by letting someone in, i suppose that will come one day at a time as well. Its a start and something i intend to work on.

Hope you have a lovely day in the sunshine, i think the pink nail polish now matches the pink face, im sure its a good look lol.

Blondie day 31 x

hi steg.... you came from far and went long way... congratulations on your 49, then nearly 50 days.... this is brilliant... i hope you publish here your pictures with Kim Basinger in just 18 days 🙂 just do not fry eggs 🙂

Ha ha fried eggs, it did make me laugh, I'll never eat an egg again. Needed that pick up, hit the wall in the gym when I got that message ( metaphorically) and was just about to give up. But a chuckle from no where gives you a boost for some reason. Having a laugh is good I suppose, it's got me through life so far. Thanks for that Kristoff and everyone else. Never gambled or wanted to today. Lovely.

Going to my first ever fishing match now, in my head I'm a hot favourite but I'm up against hardened mahogany, leather skinned fisherman who know this pond like the back of their hand and do this week in week out. Not someone who recently got a rod to keep out of the bookies. Can't afford to get anymore sunburnt, still red and stingy, hope I draw a peg with shade or I'll have to wear my camouflaged burka to get me through. Keep strong everyone and take care, Steve.

Hi Steve,

U r doing gr8, ur recent posts have made me smile... thanks 🙂

Glad u topped up ur tan!

Hope ur daughter liked her nail varnish 🙂

Stay strong and keep going!

Hi Ste, thanks for your post on my diary. Your words are so reassuring and its guys like you who help people like me to stay focused.

I had a read through your diary, and I smiled at the sunburn part. I live near the Tweed and although Im personally not a fisher, many of my family are.Manys the time Ive seen that half 'n' half tan !!

Your doing an amazing job on the gambling (non) front and I just wanted to say congratulations on a job well done.

Thanks again for your post bud,

All the best

Cameron

Hi Steve (male)!

I've just read your last few posts - you do have a habit of making me laugh out loud!

Thanks for your concern on my last diary entry. I think I just needed to have a rant at myself.. there's lots of things I'm not happy with myself about, but they are all things I can change so that's my next step.. might take a while though!! 😉

I'm willing you on to your next target of 9 and a half weeks... and so is Kim lolol!

Stay strong

LMM

'well there you have it, he's done it. He's reached his 50. He leaves his crease, eases off his helmet and raises his bat to the pavilion. Its been a tough innings, a few near misses along the way but his defence was sound. More Boycott than Botham with one bowl at a time with a gritty determination to stay in. The crowd go wild and show their appreciation except for someone, miserable and concerned, who looks likes Kim Basinger, waving betting slips towards him.

In return the courageous batsman flashes a smile back and punches the air with a pink blistered forearm before returning with stoic determinism back to the crease. A milestone has been reached but the fight must continue with the same dogged enthusiasm as before.

For the first time it feels like I'm winning and those parasitic bookies are losing. Next target is 67.

Keep strong, Steve

The crowd most definatly go wild ste, what a great acheivement. 50 not out !!!!

*** open the champers and celebrate you deserve it, and as for Kim shes a s*****r stay well away mate. lol.

Enjoy your day ste, you did a fantastic job in the first innings, I raise my glass to many more.

Blondie day 32

You set this target yourself now you have reached it. Just think - after so many tries, you have done it because of sheer determination. If you could've done that you can do anything you want to. Congratulations. well deserved. have best of possible days. Take care. K.

i m 3 days before my big target , which is 50 days too.well done mate!this shows that we are very determined to stay bet free.next big target for both of us is 100 days!we ll do it!i m very positive!

keep strong!

mike

Yo, bloody well done old chap.

Pimms and q sandwiches awaiting your return to the pavilion.

This is as we know a one way street, no u turns allowed. Next marker within sight.

Keeping walking the walk,

Dusty xxxxxx

Brillant steve fair play 2 u !

Woz never really into cricket but f**k u make it sound exciting haha.

Have a great weekend

Steg,

Congrats on going 50 days gamble free. You are doing so well in your recovery. I appreciate your support on my diary and notice your name popping up on other diaries that I read. You are a valuable member of the forum and a great example to others.

Keep up the good work.

9 1/2 weeks is just around the corner.

Tomso.