Hi tears,
55 days of winning today, great achievement, well done.
Suzanne xx
Thanks for the encouragement!
Day 55 today, somehow gained a day during the week which was wrong! 8 weeks tomorrow which is a good amount of time.
Went to see the mental health charity MIND yesterday, no real help from them, they basically have zero training with gambling and they have closed there waiting list for general counselling. They gave me an NHS referral form for counselling, gonna keep on knocking the door!
I'm probably going to visit GA now and again as they are the only local organisation with gambling knowledge, my main fear is seeing someone I know when I walk through the door!
Today will be gamble free, I have no money really any way but at least I'm not scheming to get money to gamble!
Hi
Tears
Would encourage you to take the plunge & walk through the doors of GA. Its unlikely you will see anyone you know but even if you do what you say in the room stays in the room. We had a member who returned after his 1st meeting last week, when asked what he got out of his 1st meeting he gave a reply that reminded me of how i felt after my 1st meeting almost 8 years ago. He said it was great that when he told his story he noticed people were nodding there heads where as anybody he had discussed it with previously were shaking theres. Thats what you will find @ GA. Understanding, no judgement, acceptance, love & solutions to how you can change your life. Give it 90 days attend as many meetings as you can in that time. What do you have to lose?
Thanks Day@atime, I have been to GA about 15 years back so pretty much know what to expect. It's just getting through the door the first time, bit like going to the gym, hardest part is getting there!
They have meetings near my work 4 days a week so I will go to one next week, just need to stay at work until 7 and won't get home until late but should be benefitial.
When you get to the gym remember you wont get instant results. You will have to work hard. Use the right equipment for what you want to acheive. The more you put into it the more you will get out of it. Think of GA as your mental gym. You are going in there fat overweight, what you are doing on your own isnt working for you so you decide to stretch your comfort zone to get what you desire. You work out you put in as much effort as you can. Slowly the weight begins to drop off you. You become toned sharp & clear in what you want to achieve. Results are becoming obvious to those around you they comment on the fact you look well you seem more confident in yourself. One day @ a time things continue to improve as long as you continue to maintain your daily program of improvement. Sometimes you dont want to go but you understand that it works it gets you where you want to be. Its a solution that works
Day 57
Another weekend gone. No urges to gamble, looking at the football results I'm sure there are a lot of gamblers out of pocket this weekend.
The wife is out and about tonight so I have some time to watch loads of sport and generally lounge around the house, looking forward to it!
All eyes on my interview next week, I've done quite a bit of research but going to go all out for this one. Also need to make sure I don't let standards slip at work.
Day 58
No signs of any urges to gamble. Urges to eat kebabs and chocolate though!
Hopefully today goes quick in work, got loads to do so that helps. Tonight off to watch Rochdale v Stoke. Without a bet! My prematch ritual would usually involve a crazy long odds bet for a bit of a laugh which usually led to bigger stakes, shorter odds.
The future is certainly looking much brighter, I'm not worrying as much about my debt even though it's not dealt with properly yet. Pay day Friday and hope to start chipping away at it.
Just read an article on the BBC of how a woman won £16k on a £2 bet.
For balance they should really show the thousands of punters that bet on the favourites.
The bookies were the real winners this weekend, not the odd person here and there. That's why they are so happy to show everyone who won £15k. I'd be confident enough to say more than one person will have lost that much on 1 stake.
Day 59.
No gambling or thoughts of.
Pay day comes in 3 days, usually a time where I gamble. However all the money is coming to my wifes account, along with my annual bonus.
Gym tonight, eaten and drank c**P over the last few days so need to put the effort in! Hopefully the extra calories will give me extra strength!
Lots going on at work, making the days go fast but too fast as have lots to do!
Hey mate, still a day behind you and will be glad to continue one step behind you. Good to see you have your wages going to a safe place, I do myself. Good luck with your interview, I hope you get the position you are going for. Shame about the footy on Monday, but could be worse, my lot couldn't even beat Hartlepool! You've made huge progress, keep it up!
Day 61
All is good. Get paid tomorrow and got an interview for what would be a dream job! No gambling or thoughts of which is good.
Bit apprehensive about my interview, there are parts of the job I don't have the experience for but going to try blow them away with the experience I do have. Done more prep than I've ever done so going to check out some last minute interview tips and get a bath and early night.
Positive thinking all round!
One thing I have noticed since stopping gambling is my ability to hold down a conversion, in the past I've been called ignorant for zoning out of conversations. I've found loads to talk about recently so hopefully can take this into my interview.
Positive thinking mate, you have a lot about you and they would be foolish not to give you the job. Go in with confidence believing in yourself and the job is yours!
As for the counselling its a big help, so good to be able to unload in confidence. Give Gamcare a call and get the ball rolling, it will help you!
I look forward to hearing how the interview went, good luck buddy!!!
Day 62
Interview was OK...always find it hard to gauge. They asked me a question on something I have no experience in so had to try and wing it, not sure if I managed that..
Won't find out for a while so just have to wait and see, won't be too upset if I dont get it as not exactly unhappy where I am now.
This weekend will be good, got a bit of money after the longest month ever. Just putting a bit aside for upcoming weddings and stag dos.
No temptation to gamble in ages, feeling good!
Day 64 - 9 weeks and 1 day
No strong urges to gamble, some fleeting thoughts around football and what bets I would have.
Back end of a 2 day hangover from Friday night!
Just spending the day sorting out some financial bits and bobs and happy.
Looking forward to ten weeks next Saturday. Must be quickly approaching my personal best, but all too aware it can all be undone in ten minutes of madness!
Day 65
No chance of me making a small bet. Been there 1 too many times.
I've got a stag do at Goodwood in July which will be a real test. Although I've been to the races before and ended up getting wrapped up in gambling that I've not had a laugh with my mates. Intending on having a good drink and paying little attention to the races and more to how I can prank the stag!
Really looking forward to this year now, lots booked throughout the year. Up to me know to not mess it up.
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