How I'm going to quit...

Dan - to expand on my comment... I think in the early stages it is important to actively think about not gambling but in a number of years time my aim would be to have weeks of not have gambling even cross my mind. Very tough to achieve but a goal non-the-less. Could be naive thinking as you suggest.

Target 8

To go out with the mrs tonight without needing to complain or check my phone during the night.

Story 8

My gambling really started with a £1 slip that my dad would let me put on the weekend football. Those carbon paper slips at billy hills back in the day. In no way do I blame my dad as he is still able to put on a slip with just a £1 line! However, getting that weekly buzz and chance to win something big obviously grabbed me as a child and eventually took over in my adulthood.

Day dream 8

I eluded to this last week and dream of a day when I no longer thinking about gambling / not gambling. That would be great.

Change,

Great to read that it is still going well.

As you say treat the Missus tonight without checking the phone. I used to be oblivious to the fact I was doing this when I was out as it was the 'norm' for me. However, one night when I didn't my partner said "wow, I am impressed. We've been out 2 hours and you haven't checked your phone once"

She appreciated it and I'm sure your Missus will. Have a great tome tonight.

I don't think it's possible to have more betting adverts during a football match. It's outrageous. Just keep saying no everyone.

Target met. Went out for few early drinks with the dogs and didn't check phone once.

Tennis betting was my real vice so struggling during us open. I've written down some picks past two days and I would have been mega down so it is good I abstained. Not sure if it's a good tactic because it could have gone the other way... but compulsive gambling always loses.

Another thing I wanted to flag was superstition... did anyone else go crazy when they were gambling?

I would only bet in certain denominators, check the scores at certain times, want the volume at a certain 'lucky' setting etc.

All crazy stuff I don't adhere to in my normal life but something I needed to do when I was gambling.

Hi Changes.. i also loved a tennis bet. i thought betting on tennis would be easier to win as there were only 2 players and 1 winner. i would got the extremes of betting on the market of who would win the point! dreadful betting i must say! i feel your pain with the current US open.. keep on fighting! you are the only winner keeping away from the old guard.

Thanks Lordlucan. Tennis is a sport I love but gambling has ruined it for me. I'll be staying away from gambling so hopefully I can start to enjoy it again.

Target 9

People will be another exercise target to either go for a run or do some light weights. The free time from not gambling is allowing me to look after my health a bit better.

Story 9

In response to some earlier comments I have tried to think a bit more about feelings and emotions. When I was gambling the buzz of watching a bet come in and the interest in looking up form and picking winners was something I found enjoyable. I'm guessing it is something to do with that sense of victory i.e. I am better than the bookies. I never really gambled on casino games so roulette and blackjack were just luck games for me. You know that the house as an advantage so you're on a loser from the start and you're not using any knowledge to win. The computerised versions are even worse as presumably they just have a win percentage. I guess I'm saying that I think I was more addicted to thinking I was better than the bookies rather than addicted to pure gambling or addicted to making a sporting event more interesting then just plain watching it. Over the past couple of days I've written down my picks for the us open matches and I was spurring on kerber to beat vika last night even though I had no money on it. I had that buzz without having money on it. I don't know if this is a good or bad tactic but it's possibly showing that I like the buzz more than the bet. It's something I will monitor more.

Day dream 9

I dream of a day where I don't need to constantly be checking my bank account as I know there is money in it as nothing as come out on gambling.

Did a 40 min run and might try to do an hour gardening later today before the light goes. Heading out now to have a meal for a friend who has fought through cancer and been given the all clear... brings even more perspective to things.

Well done on the changes you have made so far and the progress you have made

Your stories resonate strongly with my own gambling past, as do the gardening, the running and the taking time to spend it with the loved ones

In my experience, it was when i neglected the forum that i slipped back into old habits, so for what it's worth, i would maintain your daily visits as it focuses the brain

Weldy

Thanks Weldy... I'm taking in all the advice and will keep posting stories each day. Each day is a struggle and some are worse than others. Just got to push on through.

Change wrote:

Another thing I wanted to flag was superstition... did anyone else go crazy when they were gambling?

I would only bet in certain denominators, check the scores at certain times, want the volume at a certain 'lucky' setting etc.

All crazy stuff I don't adhere to in my normal life but something I needed to do when I was gambling.

Good old superstition. That certainly rings bells. I think I'm lucky I've not been chucked in a room with the key thrown away with some things I used to do.

One that I had was I used to 99% of the time in a betting shop wear jeans. So I'd make sure to put my betting slips in my right backside pocket. Then if that didn't work I'd switch to the back left pocket. Failing that I'd put them in my front right pocket as that's were I keep my wallet and of course the betting slips would be attracted to money wouldn't they and would therefore be filling my wallet with more money soon, if I put them there......or maybe not.

There's a few more as well, but I'll leave it there before I get carted away.

I hope all is well and well done so far. Thanks for posting an entertaining diary.

Not Again

Was the front left pocket the unlucky one then or was that reserved for the mobile only?

Just funny how all rational thinking exits the body when gambling comes into play. Total and utter mind f k nonsense. But hey no more crazy behaviour needed from us now...