First day of rest of my life

Day 8. Well yesterday wasy hardest by a million miles. It was my first day off since i quit gambling. And breaking that routine was hard normal day off i spend most of it sat in a bookies so felt a little down but over the moon i over come the urges i didnt have money but that never normally stops me as could lend off someone. It was a great feeling to pass my biggest test. Good luck all

Day 9. Whoop whoop another saturday done and dusted, spent day out with wife walking dog then a afternoon shopping something i never do as would go bookies whilst she went shopping . Didnt buy myself out but wife got clothes and more clothes but its nice feeling are hard earned cash was going on something that u could see. Normally only when i win alot i spend it and even them im think thats expensive top ВЈ50 but then go lose £200 in 10 mins madness. And im looking forward to having days off and doing something. Bring on more happy days like this. Good luck all

Day 10. Well back to work today so should b easy day today. Just finshed my 3 days off must admit thursday was tough breaking my day off ritual but got past it friday much easier and saturday spent with family so that day was spot on and didnt think about gambling. I have noticed when not gambling how many times adverts come on tv telling u to gamble MAD. Ive been enjoying watching my footy and other sports without putting a bet on them. Which in a million month of sundays would i ever thought that. Must admit thou gambling is still in my thoughts cant wait for day that goes if it ever does. But when younger i was addicted to fruit machines before i found bookies and if i went for a meal that where i would b. Id say just going bar for drink then spend most of nite on fruit machine annoying who ever i was out with. But many years ago i went off them and hate them and never have a urge to play them. So hoping thats wat happens with the addiction i have with bookies and roulette. Not looking at the money ive lost over the 20+ years of gambling. But over last 10 days money ive saved if i say i spend ВЈ50 a day over 10 days £500 im happy with that very happy and thats wat keeps me going goals inside goals. Good luck all strenght is in numbers and being on this site gives you the numbers and ppl who understand the difficulties as non gamblers seem to think stopping is like turning a switch off. But to be fair i dont drink, smoke or do drugs and i think wat idoits you are for doing that to yourself but my fix was gambling and wat a idoit ive been. Say it again good luck my new found family

Day 11. Well today is going to be a test as 1st time ive had money since i started. Wife is away and as she has my bank card i need money to get my dogs tablets, got a meal wednesday for niece bday and need to put money in her card. But i am in work at 12 so that should help if urges come. At minute ive no plans to wreck my 11 day and going to keep it that way. Also got my 1st counselling session today looking forward to it but also scared. Goodluck all

Day 12. I had my first counselling session yesterday. I was dreading talking to a stranger over facetime about my problems. But i got a great deal of my mind and she opened my eyes to possible causes or triggers to my gambling. To b honest i told her things ive never told anyone. Thing is now some stranger ive never met is trying to help me which is made my mind set even stronger to quit gambling. Yesterday went without a hiccup even thou i had cash in my wallet. Very good day for me. Good luck ppl in your quest

Day 13. Found yesterday morning pretty difficult took dog a walk to vets for her medication. And so wanted to pop in bookies to try win money back. Had the 2 men on my shoulders one saying do it the other saying you will b back to square one. I listen to the second voice. Now that puts me on day 13 only a day off 2 weeks and nearly half a month that keeps driving me. Good luck all

Day 14. Had a massive wobble today but carried on walking when i past a bookies as i had cash in my pocket. So ive hit the 2week mark very happy with myself. Good luck all

Day 15. Day off from work but weather is great so going to crack on with garden so the urges stay away. Good luck all

Day 16. Spent day with the wife and dog so very easy day not to gamble. Gutted cause over the years could of had more days like this instead of being stuck in bookies. Good luck all

Day 17. Back to work today so easy day today. Doing more overtime so less times to think about gambling. My worst day seems to b thursday as its my 1st day off and got alday alone. Well good luck all

Hi Pinocchio, just dropping by with a belated welcome to recovery & a congratulations on your 18 days 🙂

Breaking those habits are key to recovery & fantastic that your wife is on board as that has been a crucial part of my journey! If she is still hurt & confused, it maybe worth her phoning Gamcare, they offer a support service for friends & family too!

Congratulations to both of you on your forthcoming arrival, what a fantastic reason to wake up fighting every single day 🙂

Keep winning - ODAAT

Day 19. Great feeling coming up to 3weeks. Some how i failed to blog day 18. So do 2 in 1 my start of week is always easier than end of week as im in work. So yeah i used to put bet on and go work well thats if i won on fobt. So ive mastered bit doing that. But when its my day off and wife is away my day use to be get up and think of betting then spend all day betting or until i was broke. But the saturday im off and spend with wife is brilliant yeah i look at results and think i may have won if i had a bet but. Overall are bank balance is looking alot healther which tells you i lose as its not looked that healthy ever. And were buying baby and treating ourselves more but still better of. Great feeling. Good luck all

Day 20. Payday today but wife has my cash card. But treated her to a evening dress for my rugby summerball now thing is normally wouldnt go cause of the cost to go and the expense of buying the clothes and pampering. Even if i won i couldnt bring myself to spend that kind of money. But now looking forward to it. Massive change in my mind set. Goodluck all .

Day 21. New job is on the horizon time to take a step up instead of over the years stepping down so i can have a bet. And wife has been the best and always says she is proud of me which really helps. Good luck all

Well done on making it do day 21 and not blowing your wages! Sounds like things are already picking up which is good. The trick now is to maintain the progress!

Best wishes

Luke