Thank you (((Cat))) and (((icandothis))) for your kind supportive posts! I too haven’t posted much other than to my own thread, as I am suddenly very busy, trying to manage fulltime employment. I don’t know if anyone has admired me before, but I really appreciate that you said that (((icandothis))). My gambling recovery has been far from perfect, but truth be known, I have learned a lot about recovery and myself. Since I’ve started working, it seems like gambling isn’t a problem for me as I don’t even get thoughts, even in stressful situations. I did have a thought of drowning my stress in a DQ ice cream blizzard but was able to convince myself that it isn’t in my healthy eating plan for now. Some people may say I am getting complacent, but truth be known I get to attend 12 step programs where I work, and get to support people in their alcohol and drug addictions. That helps me in my recovery. The positive changes in my life have come over an almost three year period of time that I’ve been in recovery . Patience has never been a strong suit of mine, but I live a day at a time, and just get through that day. A few of my favorite mottos are : It is what it is! Progress not perfection! I have never regretted my decision to move out on my own. I believe that timing has a lot to do with success, and if I try and push things through before I’m ready, things don’t work well for me. It took me almost 3 years to start addressing my weight issue. I waited till I felt ready. Ready for me was when the feelings and thoughts associated with being overweight outweighed the sacrifices of eating healthier, if that makes sense. It was like the way I felt when I first got into gambling recovery. It was easier to be in recovery than living the lifestyle associated with compulsive gambling. I am thankful that I didn’t have to hit a lower rock bottom than I did before the insanity stopped. Carole
