Fresh start

Hi ra hope you enjoy Prague. I went this time of year a number of years ago and it was frrreeeeeezzzzzzing......don't forget your thermals. Stay strong while your away as you're doing great.

Have yourself a brilliant time on holiday! Your first time being paid since you gave up... yes it may be hard but your laying all the grounding to give up so a bit of determination and you'l do fine Im sure

All the best, catch up soon

Rich

Haven't posted for a few days. Last night in Prague tonight so getting an early night before we head off in the morning. Haven't had much spare time but have been keeping an eye on forum posts and checking people's diarys. It's weird, I didn't think I'd miss the site but I actually did! And Tilly was right, it's sooooo cold here! Could hardly feel my fingers even with thick old gloves on!

I have given the gambling a bit of thought while away. Still feels weird that i (hopefully) won't be betting again, can't imagine that, it's an odd thing to get my head around really, but whenever I thought about that I would just think of the extra money I will have which is obviously a much more possitive thing.

Closing in on two weeks GF. It's gone really slowly....I think it's because in my mind I'm imagining 1 month-50 days GF and what that will feel like. It seems so far away now but hopefully the days will tally up quickly.

Got a promo email from sky bet today. Hadn't self excluded from them as I had already taken a break so I couldn't access my account and I guess this has now ended. Would have usually gone for the price boost and a small part of me wanted too, but the blockers on my phone are working because I couldn't even get onto the site. I don't have any filters on my laptop (which I hardly use) so I'll have to fire that up and quickly SE from sky bet.

It's been a good Sunday. Went for a run early morning, as I haven't played 5 a side for two weeks and have no doubt lost a bit of fitness. Man Utd won today so very happy about that, and what's even better is that I haven't lost any money on the game.

Sunday evenings used to be my worst time for gambling. Trying to claw back my losses from the weekend. Thinking just one more £5 deposit.....then loosing that and thinking ok I'll put another £5 in, double that and withdraw it again....pfffft when did that ever happen!!! And if it did the 'cancel withdrawal' function would always be used an hour or so later.

Feels good to be sat here not checking my phone every few seconds to check the score of an Argentinian second division u-19s women's football match. Making up some BS excuse when my missus asks why I'm checking my phone so much. Then going to bed annoyed at the money I've wasted and thinking for the tenth time 'I'm giving this up next week'

I won't lie I'm missing the buzz, but the determination to have some money for myself is far outweighing the need to place that bet.

Hi ra.....well done for getting through the weekend gf......great achievement. Don't give into any form of temptation and when the voice starts nagging......kick him into touch.....you can do this.

Thanks for posting on my diary, it really means a lot xx

Congratulations on your progress, and resisting the temptation of this devious addiction. it's also great to have a decent nights sleep too, no worrying about what you have spent in the evening.

Walking this path alongside you, it may be long but if we all support each other it will be more bearable xx

No real thoughts about betting this week, mainly more about what can be done with spare money and why I didn't jack this in sooner.

I did have a thought though. With the grand national coming up, would people class sweepstakes at work for example gambling? I know if I did this it certainly wouldn't lead to me feeling the need to bet or anything (horse racing was never my thing). Is this just a harmless bit of fun? Does it depend on the individual?

Hi...you may read different responses here based on the approach of the individual. Ultimately, it's entirely up to you. I know some here do the lottery and don't class that as gambling.

Personally, I've adopted the GA approach and cut out all forms of gambling (even tossing a coin for a cup of tea). That approach has worked for me but others have different successful approaches.

Hi ra....in my opinion I believe it is down to the individual. My issues was online slots and not horses so I would feel the same as you and that it wouldn't drive me back to my original addiction. Also as Garyl said many do the lottery and that would be classed the same. Stay strong and take care

Yea agreed. I usually sort the sweepstakes at work. I think I'll leave it, and if someone else organises one I'll do it, if not I'm fine with just leaving it.

3 weeks GF today. I think this is one of the longest since I was 18 (I'm 25 now) so quite proud of that. If I can see this next week through then it will 100% be the longest I've gone without gambling. Pretty proud of myself although I do still think about it, and to a certain extent miss it, but the brilliant people on here always provide a great distraction.

Have a good weekend everyone.

RA

Half way towards the first target.

Hi ra.....you are doing really well. You said that you still have thoughts and miss it at times. This does ease more with time. I am finding that I'm still looking for something to fill the void. I've never been a big tv or film fan and candy crush is getting boring :-). As it is a very unsociable addiction it has left me with very little social life, which for a person who works with remote colleagues and knows very little people where I live is taking its toll.

Keep yourself busy and don't give in. Take care.

Kept busy today, went into the city with the missus so didn't have the time to even check the football scores let alone have a bet.

Off to watch united in the FA cup tomorrow. First time I've been since being GF, and would usually have some kind of punt on the game so will have to make sure that doesn't happen.

All being well, another GF weekend, and slowly getting closer to the first target of 50 days.

RA

Got an email for a free bet today. Was very tempted, probs the most tempted I've been since I gave up.

Came on here and added to the diary instead.

RA