Never too late to make a fresh start

Day 66

Dreams of gambling. Quite vivid but glad they weren't real!

Finding too many ways to spend my money at the moment even though I can't find it, think I'm a complusive spender as well as a CG. Need to calm down! Its like money burns a hole in my pocket, probably not used to having it for any length of time so I spend as quick as I can!

Day 67

No one likes Wednesdays!

Actually woke up this morning fed up, had loads of little jobs to do which were nagging at me. Right now I've done all the jobs and feel pretty content.

Ordered some unhealthy food to watch the football with and will look to get back on the fitness train tomorrow! Signed up to a 10k run so need to get training for that.

Hi tears, congratulations on your 67 days of winning 🙂 I see you are doing the maths that I love to do too & especially glad that this time you are prepared like never before not to allow complacency to steal your new life away from you 🙂

Why does unhealthy food taste sooo gooood despite all being the colour of sick? How about a gentle sesh tomorrow @ the gym & parkrun Saturday morning to celebrate your 10 weeks? Google it if you've not heard of it (apologies if you have but I'll confess I have not read your diary properly yet!) there should be one near you & they are great! 5k is a good practise for your 10!

Great work for wrapping up all those jobs today! Keep winning - ODAAT

Cheer ODAAT

Ended up signing up for a month of Crossfit classes....in at the deep end! That with some running I should be ship shape in no time!! Preparation is key with diet but you always find something better to do than chop onions!

Day 69 dude

10 weeks is quite an achievment, in the prior ten weeks to that was full of lies, deceipt and getting myself worse in debt. Glad to have stopped the rot and can see the light at the other end of the tunnel

A lot left to acheive but certain the last ten weeks have set some good foundations. Hardly miss the thrill of gambling, thought about it now and again but nothing major.

Day 70

Made ten weeks.

It's come around quick quick really, when I look back I couldn't imagine have come this far.

Not really doing anything proactive such as GA yet but constant reminders from years of repeatably hitting rock bottom is keeping me on the straight and narrow.

I think this diary is also helping as a constant reminder.

I'm glad to see I'm still a day behind you, big well done to us both on ten weeks, I guess the next one for us is the big 100. Keep up the good work mate, stay strong, youre doing really well!!!

Phil

Cheers Phil.

Cruising onto Day 72

Slight bout of illness which I am putting down to the aircon at work. Feeling better now but still a bit tired etc.

With the tiredness comes a low mood but luckily I've not gambled so things are good in comparison to prior years. I fact the low mood would usually lead to gambling which would again lead to low mood, what a vicious cycle. I can't believe I broke it in a way.

Too much time, effort and money dedicated to something that was killing me.

I know a lot of people look back and think I could have bought a house with that money etc. I don't do that fortunately, I worry more about the future, but the future is my hands so can be relatively optimistic about that.

I honestly don't care about the money that has gone, I'd be happy living in my small house and driving a banger as long as I've got my friends and family and health. A bit of extra money would certainly help my stress levels but it's certainly not the be all and end all.

Hi tears, fantastic going 72 days, well done, and a lovely post to read.

Suzanne xx

Thanks Suzanne,

Day 74 I think today...losing track of time!

Struggling with a cough and cold but purchased some night nurse! Fingers crossed!

Very few thoughts of gambling, my friend showed me his bet on the football yesterday and it did kind of excite me and I was willing him to win. Very low stakes but bit of a reminder that even a small bet can stir up feelings that end up in disaster!

Long day at work today but productive. Turns out I'm pretty decent at stuff when I put my mind to it but I've always been a confident 'can-do' sort of guy. Just always been too distracted to prove it.

Hopefully get some much needed sleep tonight 🙂

Day 76

Days are flying by now, not sure if a good thing! But no thoughts at all of gambling! Almost feel free of it but still being vigilant!

Nothing overly exciting this weekend in the pipe line, just staying in for a Valentines meal tomorrow. Not really my cup of tea all this Valentines stuff..

Due to me getting a bonus this month it's been much easier on the stress levels and we'll even have money left over come payday. Need to start saving for my debts but got so much on for mates weddings etc, makes me want to push for more money at work or get a higher paying job. Didn't get the higher paying job I went for, didn't really get great vibes during the interview so already had resigned myself to not getting it, I'll just use the rejection to spur me on to do even better 🙂

Day 77

11 weeks.

Day of rest today. Been looking forward to the weekend all week, nice to just potter around the house.

Went for a pint after work on my own yesterday and saw lots of flashing lights on the fruit machines, some new ones since I last noticed. Had no urge to even put 50p in, just supped my pint and went home.

In a way I wish I could have a small bet on the football but I know I can't. It escalates so rapidly I cannot control myself.

Hi tears,

Congratulations on 11 weeks, of winning.

Have a great day pottering about lol, , stay strong and stay safe.

Suzanne xx

Thanks Suzanne.

Day 80

Still bloody ill, looking at life insurance now! Someone may as well benefit from the death dividend! Supidly put my mobile number into Compare the Market and now I have tons of calls and texts from insurance firms even though I said I only wanted contacting by email.

The no gambling is going great, just don't feel like it. Still quite compulsiive spending money though, addicted to going on hotukdeals looking for offers! Guess it could be worse.

Work is going well as I am being noticed for my work for a change. Unfortunately not much room to move up where I am but you never know.

Pancakes tonight before I cut out a few naughty things for lent, I love pancakes with butter, sugar and lemon!

Day 81

No sign on gambling on my horizon.

Not much else happening of any interest, bit of exercise tonight and some drinks lined up for the weekend but just ticking by quite nicely!

Day 85

Little worse for wear! Few beers last night(and day).

Few thoughts of putting an accumulator bet on yesterday, although even though I didn't I didn't miss the buzz

My fitness is improving with a couple of tough gym visits this week, need to get running this week as doing a 10k in May and want to beat my PB from 2005ish of 44mins.

Seems the football has gone back to throwing up lots of coupon busters as around Xmas people were posting coupons up left right and centre. Not seen a winning coupon in ages. Whilst I don't like people losing there is something refreshing in that.