Our Struggles Make Us Stronger

Another weekend and not a punt! Was out on Saturday night and spent about £70 (don't know how!) but at least it was better than gambling it. In the past I'd have woken up on the Sunday and felt the need to go online and do some bets to get the money back but I'm proud to say it never crossed my mind yesterday. Found out this morning I didnt get the promotion at work I was in for which was a bit of a knock back but at least I still have a good steady job! Life seems to put these obstacles in our way sometimes to test our character and see if we are strong enough to overcome them. I can say 'I am'.

After checking my bank balance this morning and calculating the couple of bills still left to pay I will have about £160 to myself until payday. Usually this is about the time I would be looking for my next bet to try and win about £100 but not today! What I have is more than enough to see me through if I'm sensible with my money.

Day 32 and no gambling. Was speaking to my mate on the way to work this morning about it and he's actually been off it also for over a month as well! We spoke at length about our addiction and we both agreed how stupid we've been over the years. If I keep myself right I'll be debt (gambling) free at the start of July, I still have a credit card but have only ever used it for purchases. It will be my biggest test in July when that loan gets paid off as I will have all that extra money every month and no doubt the temptations will be there to have a little flutter. At the end of the day the buck stops with me - nobody can force me to gamble, it's been my bad choices in the past to throw all that money away. I really don't want to go back to that way of life but only I can decide that, so I choose not to go back to the 'old me'.

Going out tonight for a meal with a few friends, looking forward to it and not checking my phone every 5 mins to see how my bets doing!

All the best to everyone for the weekend. Remember, before you gamble it's your choice, you can choose to walk away!

Warren

well done for your 32days, it is great that you can see the benefits.

Enjoy your night out.

Dusty

Had a lovely steak on Friday night and good bit of craic afterwards and we won our match on Saturday also! Stayed away from the bookies & online again so my bank balance is still fine. Thanks for the comment Dusty, your right I can see the benefits already! Hope things are going well for you.

I didn't even realise it was Cheltenham week until someone mentioned to me on Tuesday. Haven't been near a bookies let alone watched a race, not bad considering I watched and bet in almost every race last year! Feeling good.

Well it's 8 days until payday and I've still a few quid left so I should be fine until then. Another gamble free weekend again, I think its about 45 days or something now but I'm not even gonna bother counting. Keeping myself busy with football and spin classes, life is good!!

Well done.

What are spin classes ? Have this vision of a rather dashing chap, in his footy kit, ( nice legs by the way ) surrounded by poles with plates on top. Lol

Keep fighting the good fight

Dusty

Hey Dusty, spinning is basically indoor cycling using a special stationary exercise bicycle with a weighted flywheel instead of your ordinary 'gym' bicycle. I would recommend it to anyone looking to keep fit and/or lose weight.

We only get the poles and plates out on special occasions lol and yes I have nice muscular legs 🙂

Yo,

Well there's a thing, learn something new every day.

Well if you enjoy it and keeps you outta trouble , alls good.

Stay strong

Dusty

Hi Warren I just joined and am on day 1 of my recovery. I enjoyed reading your diary and how you went from lacking the confidence to believing that you could succeed to how u feel now.

Hope all goes well

with admiration and support

Becky

(Scampimus)

Thanks Becky, I haven't had a chance to read your story yet but I will! By reading other stories on here I realised I wasn't the only one who had lost their way and I drew strength from others that this addiction can be beaten. Well done on making the step to log on to this site, it will definately help. Stay strong

The sun is shining and the weather is fine!! Payday tomorrow and I actually have some money left 😮 I would have had more but for getting the house painted which cost a good few £££. At least I didn't try and win the amount it cost so it would in theory have been free, how stupid does that sound lol! Going to pay a portion off the holiday and some off the credit card tomorrow. If I stick to the way I've been going the past 7 weeks or so I'll be a happy man.

Warren.

Another fella who has taken his gambling goggles off and life is now getting more into focus with the dawn of each day a massive WELL DONE fella keep them off keep enjoying your LIFE!!!

duncs stepping forward never back.

Just checking in, still going strong! It feels great looking to the future and not having to worry about money anymore which begs the question, "why did I put myself through all that for so long?" I like to reflect on past experiences so I can learn from them instead of pretending it never happened. I do cringe sometimes at the choices I made even when I knew they were poor ones. By owning up to the mistakes of my past I am able to move forward to a happy future.