Hope

Hey SA,

Work is very big part of our lives and by doing something what makes u stressed, really don't help in life in general. I am not even saying about trying to get over bloody addiction...

Ramble on a way..better stop lol

Believe in urself dear fighter, you doing well!!

And sleep tight of course 😉

S x

Day 349 begins....

Yes, Sandra I understand what you say. I need to do some positive things for my own short and long term benefit this weekend... in no particular order...

1. Job search... come on do it!

2. Get many togged duvet and or blanket and sleep wear, new pillows. I want to sleep well at night. I don't like waking up cold in the night. Thanks to not gambling I can go out and buy these things.

3. *** on with Nvq.. I want to get it finished in the next few weeks.

4. Don't go out drinking tonight... it does me no favours. I can go out nearer exmas.

5. Do nice roast and beat friend at chess on sunday.

6. Go running, whatever the weather!.. it will chill me out.

7... Chat with family and sort out what am doing for exmas.

8.... No gambling!!!

Thanks for listening... S.A

P.s I find it really hard this time of year.

Hey SA,

I like the list! Sounds like you are keeping well busy today! Good on you, keep fighting the good fight.

Agree 100% with ur last line, it is really hard at this time of the year. But of course it is doable:-)

Upwards and onwards

Take care

Sandra x

I love lists, feels such an achievement ticking things off.

Bought an electric blanket last year and put on for a few minutes in the night if I wake up - snuggly.

Still listening.

xxx

Day 349 comes to a close...

Well as it turns out, other than go for a run, ive done nothing constructive today. Lots of loafing around and isolating and escapist behaviours but not gambling at least. Today my self-esteem is not in a good state. Its good that I say these things I think.

Maybe I will make inroads into that list tomorrow.

Relapse feels close to be honest. That's not to say ive decided to gamble because I haven't but I am exhibiting warning signs.

I continue to "just get by" day to day. Nothing changes if nothing changes... S.A

Hi SA

Love the list!

I also like the honesty about the urges. I think its a massive skill to be able to recognise the warning signs and get an avoidance plan in place. Remember the time- money- location, get back to basics if you need to.

Have a think bud about how far we've come, and how far you want to go.

I read you diary quite a lot, it looks like there have been lots of changes in your thinking and outlook.

Stay strong bud

Take care

Irene

x

Hey Mr Kasparov / Fischer ?

Hope you are in training to whoop your pals a,as at chess today ...

Also used to find this time of year difficult , history of SAD and generally low motivation and desire to hibernate and isolate.

Not sure what's changed but this year managing to navigate through. Found diet was part of the problem as tendency to crave carbs hence the ol kangarooing blood sugars and highs and lows of mild depression.

Just an idea but rather than the pressure of a job change , would you consider doing a little evening job one night a week as I do at the restaurant ?

I don't go primarily for the money although every little helps but it ticks a lot of boxes. A nice upbeat pub always has stuff going on Xmas/ new year and it's nice to have to option of something social on your doorstep.

Just an idea as could be a good tonic in a lot of ways plus you get to meet new and interesting women errr I mean people xxxx

Hurrah! the sites back online.

Day 350... that's 50 weeks without a bet of any kind. Now that is worth a bit of self-congratulations and a positive post.

Thanks Irene and yes I recognise progress made much of the time... its just sometimes I can't quite see it... but today I can. Still very much one day at a time though.

I beat my Garmin personal best for 5 km today... 24 mins 46 seconds. Not bad for a man in his 40's.

Neighbour just come up and knocked on my door. Could I lend him a tenna till tomorrow. I did cos he always gives it back when he says and he's not a compulsive gambler. However he then went on to talk about how he's just knicked a laptop out of someone's car. It got me a bit mad to be honest and I wanted to get my £10 back but I did nothing. He's a compulsive thief I think. You'd of thought that a man well into his 60's would have stopped this sort of thing... but it seems not.

Anyway that's him I am me. No gambling, no thieving. Thanks for listening... S.A 🙂

Oh and just to add SA ....this time last year you thought you were having a mini stroke so no matter what this time this year is 100% better xxxx

Hey SA,

Wow...personal best 🙂 5 km in that time is great...i only managed 3 and had stars in my eyes already lol (getting old ha ha)

Keep up keeping up and enjoy ur Sunday..( no gambling or nicking of course 😀 )

Take care

S x

Day 351 gambling free... and thanks both.

Well that's another working Monday out the way. It passed off without too much stress. Now its just a four day week and consequently doesn't feel quite so daunting.

I feel like another run, so off I jolly well go....

Thanks for listening folks... S.A 🙂

P.s Nearly forgot: no gambling thoughts.

Creeping every closer to that year mark, great stuff SA. ODAAT! Great to have you on the thread, i hope it can keep you focused over the christmas months. I knew I'd find the next few months tricky so figured it would be a good idea to start a thread. Keep it up mate.

Day 352.. and thanks Dave 🙂

Another working day has passed without major incident. Spent 2.5 hours at the swimming pool watching client going on the rapid slide thing about 400 times. He has challenging needs so I had to make sure he didn't eat any small children in the process, which thankfully he didn't.

Got on my bike to go home and its got a puncture. I couldn't be arsed to wheel it home and fix it so walked instead. One of the things about not gambling is that tomorrow I shall make yet another foray to Halfords and pay them to fix it for me. I don't want to get my hands dirty ya know 😉 If I was gambling i'd have no money to even contemplate that.. in fact I would not have a functioning bike fullstop!

Nothing much else to say, no thoughts of a gamble. I continue to cope with life without returning to my addiction of choice. Thanks for listening... S.A 🙂

Hi S,A

Nearly at the year mark which is a great milestone to reach something I'm aiming for I think I'm bout halfway but in truth not sure of the date never been a big one for counting

Full of admiration of how u handle ur recovery and find it very inspirational as many others do

Castle2

Day 353 with not a penny gambled in that time... and thanks Castle 🙂

Feeling just fine today. I went to an aircraft museum with just one client which was a nice relaxed day.

After work I walked my bike for 3 miles in the rain to Halfords and they fixed it on the spot. Now that I cycle all over I can't be doing without it. I use to cycle all the time for a while when I lived in London and then when gambling came along, that all went by the wayside. I will get myself a better bike in the new year.

I enjoy having my physical health (albeit with a little belly fat). My thoughts are with those on the forum who have physical health issues and chronic pain... it can't be easy and no doubt a potential trigger for gambling.

Anyway I am basically fine. Not thriving but getting by ok and without the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with compulsive gambling. Thanks for listening... S.A 🙂