The Day I decided my Daughter is far more important than Gambling

18th August 2015 - Day 9

Thanks for the words Change, it helps. I hope you're getting along fine as well.

Day 9 complete. Not even a thought of gambling today, but then again no money as such at the moment either. So tougher tests ahead, but it's one day closer to my first target of 30 days.

Been kept very busy today with work. Had to leave at 6am for a meeting, back at 9am, work all day inbetween having lunch at home with the family. Then out at a meeting at 5pm, returned home at 8.30pm. Just scoffed down dinner and slowly unwinding for an hour or so before up and out by 6am tomorrow. It's good to keep busy, just need to make sure I don't collapse!

I hope you are all bearing up well. Keep at it, we can do this.

All the best.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (soon)

Sounds like a good productive day. Family and work. No gambling. Stay strong. Avoid thinking about sports. I know it's very difficult but knowing events are happening is a major trigger. I can't listen to talksport or watch tv right now. If you're busy with work etc it helps. Accountancy is a tough profession. Effectively it's the same as being a salesman. The technical bits can get real tough but selling is harder and more stressful. However when you're not thinking about gambling it can become so much easier!

Very true Change re the forgetting about sports.

19th August 2015 - Day 10

And as if by magic we are in to double figures. Was treading on dodgy ground today as once again I got paid a bit earlier than expected - not that I'm complaining - for a bit of work I done. So the money was there this morning, but I didn't give in to the demons. Admittedly I had a couple of afternoon beers as I was in town, but no gambling.

Got up to date with the Council Tax at last and filled the car up with petrol this morning. I did hear on the news that Golden Horn last his unbeaten record today. At 4/9 I'm sure - well infact I know - that in the past that would have been a big bet for me. So at least that was swerved.

Onwards and upwards, i have a free round of Golf to take advantage of tomorrow morning, so that will keep me occupied.

Hope you are all well. Keep battling. It'll be worth it.

All the best.

Double digits is a good start but I always find 10-40 days as the toughest bit. Keep your focus and don't get sucked into any little bets. It'll just end in disaster and you'll be disappointed in yourself. Think how well you are doing... sorted council tax and car full of petrol. Able to enjoy a few beers and play a round of worry free golf. All very normal things... but I don't think they'd be happening if you were gambling!

How you getting on mate?

Hello mate, yes, very good thank you. How about you? A bit of a late one last night, so didn't get time to post. See below.....

20th August 2015 - Day 11

Very very busy on Thursday, which was a good thing as had some money in the bank and didn't want to wast it.

I had my free game of Golf and breakfast in the morning. Was up at 6am to get ready and go there, had a bit of lunch there after and by the time I got home it was 3pm. So a long day, but kept my mind of gambling.

Was home a few hours when a mate I'd not seen for a while said he was with another friend and they fancied a pint down the road from me. 3 pints later and scoffing a healthy pizza when I returned home again, I started snoring on the settee when my partner told me to go to bed. So I did!

Up this morning at 6am for a meeting. Then unfortunately have a funeral to go to this afternoon for a great Uncle. Not seen some of the family for a while, so although not the greatest occasion at least I'll get to talk to some members of the family I've not seen for a while. Oh and it'll keep me away from the betting shop!

I hope you are all OK. In to Day 12 now. Must stay strong as this is when I would be at my most vulnerable, a few drinks later no doubt at the wake and then tomorrow staring at the weekend Football and Golf.

Keep going everyone, we can do this.

All the best.

21st August 2015 - Day 12

As metioned yesterday was a very very busy day, that turned out to be even busier.

The meeting out of the way and a little bit of work in the morning. My Great Uncle's funeral, which was a lovely service and went as good as these 'things' can go. Back to the Wake, a bit of food, a lot of memories and talking and a couple of drinks. Back home dinner, shower and then my brother asks if I wanted a drink with him. Went to the pub at 8.45 for a few and that was that day done. Not one spare moment to think about gambling, let alone enter a betting shop.

On to Day 13. Notoriously - in the past - my busiest bettng day what with all the opportunities. As stated in my opening post this was the day of the week I had my final meltdown all started with winning £95 from £5.

So today I decided it's going to be a family day. Already been to ASDA and bought all the BBQ food and drink/ice/junk. Missus and daughter are very happy it's going to be a 'Family Day' as I often just use to neglect them for large parts of Saturday watching football whilst constantly being on my phone and/or laptop gambling away at the same time.

All that has to change and it's beginning to. Reading back through my diary it looks like I maybe developing a drinking problem! Still, I only bought 18 cans of Coors today. Oops, I mentioned drink again. Still, I have to have a little treat especially with the weather being so nice today. The Missus has her wine, my daughter her cheese balls and Ice cream, in the afternoon my Mum will be coming round, then I will start poisoning everyone with my inept BBQ'ing skills, whilst cracking open a can or 5 or 11.

Small steps. Cut out the gambling first and foremost. Onwards and upwards. Today will be a good day.

I hope you are alright. Stay strong.

All the best.

Hi,

Sounds like a plan!. Enjoy your day and a few beers. Most important thing is not too gamble and you are putting some excellent barriers in place.

Well done and best wishes

Enjoy the day! And avoid any bets if / when you get drunk. Think of what additional barriers you are going to need! Maybe give the phone to your mrs for today.

I've got your number...11 beers (or all 18 maybe) but it's the BBQ that made you sick right 😉

Family day sounds so much more rewarding than anything the bookies had to offer...It's time that enriches our lives, not money!

Every day making the right choices are good days...Great work on your 1st 13 🙂 Keep winning - ODAAT

Thank you for the comments everyone. It's much appreciated and I hope you are all well.

22nd August 2015 - Day 13

As mentioned plenty of beers were consumed. Although I think my Missus may have hid some. Did I really go through 12 cans. Hmm and I feel fine today. Think she's playing games. If I drink that much I'm normally in bed until midday.

Still it was a very good day. Put my BBQ-ing skills to use. I checked the Football scores at around 5.30, purely for Fantasy Football purposes. Started the day off around 1.30pm and my Mum went home at 7pm. Stayed outside until 8pm daughter to bed, watched some repeats of Only Fools and Horses/Live At The Apolo, Match Of The Day and bed.

Will be watching the first game of Football today at home, not too sure about the second. A little bit of work to do this morning and a bit of tidying up around the house to do as well! That should keep me more than busy.

Tomorrow morning I WILL be able to say that is 2 weeks gamble free completed.

Have a good day everyone and I hope you are alright and gamble free. I'll get round to reading some other people's diaries today as I appreciate people taking the time to post on mine.

All the best.

Not Again.

23rd August 2015 - Day 14

Well I've got to two weeks gamble free. A small step, but haven't achieved that for a long time. Very good for me considering the Football season has started and two golf tournaments finishing yesterday.

Still, I stayed in yesterday. A bit of tidying up. Played 'shops' with my daughter in between watching football and generally forgot all about betting. Did have that odd moment when I was thinking it was a good job I didn't have a bet - on the first goalscorer - in the football as they would have both lost. Then when I saw the Golf result - I would have done Casey and Snedeker - who both didn't win.

On to Week 3/Day 15. What a terrible day weather wise. On with some work this morning. Then I'll go to the gym. I'll be driving there in this weather. Come back home, work some more and plan the rest of the week.

I hope you are all alright and keeping the demons at bay. Stay strong.

All the best.

Congratulations on the start of week 3 & lovely to see your family benefitting from your recovery 🙂

Healthy body, healthy mind...Enjoy training & keep winning - ODAAT

Well done at entering week 3.... keep going pal!

Thanks both. It's a good start. Well I say good start, it's been a perfect start as I haven't gambled. Still, a long way to go yet.

24th August 2015 - Day 15

Week 3 began well. Went to the gym, wore myself out and came home and done some work. Another silly little reminder of how selfish/stupid I was with money.

My partner and daughter went and got their haircut yesterday. Not too long ago, I may have been asking if they could put it back a week or so for me to be paid again or get another Payday loan arranged. Even for £40 to £50 for their haircut.

Don't think my partner could believe when she asked "We do have money don't we?" almost with a sound of hope rather than expectancy - can't blame her - I replied "yes" and off they went.

On to Day 16. I hope everyone is beating this and staying in control.

All the best.