[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 229

Thanks for the kind words and support Dark Energy.

Happy with how last week went. Looking at some of the tasks I had set for myself.

• Exercise: TargetL Minimum 5 days, Actual: 4 days
• Diet: Mostly improved but 2 days with worse eating
• Vising the Forum: Target 4 days: Actual: 3 days

So even though I didn’t hit any of my targets fully, I did come close to each, and so overall I am happy with that.

For next week, I will keep similar goals, but hope to hit them this week.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 223

The week has gone well, and ready to start another one. Setting some goals for the next week to get back to items that I have been slacking on.

1. Minimum 5 days with exercise
2. Improved diet throughout the week
3. Minimum 4 days visiting the forum and replying to posts

[G Rec]

Hi dphantracy – welcome to the forum and well done on taking a positive step in admitting the issue, and starting a thread.

Being broke and building up debt from gambling is something most on here myself included can relate to. The better news is that if you can remain gamble free, and have a good structure in place, it is possible to turn things around.

As Charles mentioned, there are new member’s advice groups on Mondays and Thursdays. I would really recommend checking one of these out. There Charles gives some great advice and the next step that can be taken. The groups also tend to be on the smaller side, and so Charles can listen to your specific situation and provide more personal advice.

[G Rec]

1 Month gamble free is excellent Lauren. I think most people can relate to the first few weeks being really tough. The good news is that it does tend to get easier from here. That doesn’t mean there won’t be really tough days where urges are strong, but overall the refraining from gambling gets more manageable, and you should continue seeing the great benefits of doing so.

It sounds like you have a good structure in place with having strong barriers. Keep up the good work.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 216

I have had a good week, and am generally very happy with many aspects of my life at the moment. After the longest period in many years without gambling, looking back, it is even more clear to me than it was at the time just how negatively it was impacting my life, and not just financially.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 211

I have had a good week, been visiting the forums most days and catching up on posts, and replying where I feel I can add value. I am liking this routine, and I find it very helpful, with the bonus of potentially helping others too with replies.

[G Rec]

Hi lauren,

It is great to hear that you have reached Day 22 Gamble Free. Great work, I look forward to continuing to read about your progress, and hoprfully seeing that number grow and grow.

[G Rec]

Hi badperson10.

Welcome to the forum, and well done on taking a positive step by making this journal and looking for help.

As Dunc mentioned, there are new member groups on Monday and Thursday. I found these really helpful when I first joined, and you can pick up some great advice and guidance on steps you can take. These groups also tend to be on the smaller side, meaning that Charles can help even more by providing more personalised advice/steps based on your specific situation and background.

Reading your first post, it sounds like one of your most critical items to address is putting blockers in place to make it more difficult for you to bet. Charles will likely address this in the new members groups, but some examples of items you can do are

• Add blocking software to your laptop and mobile
• Closing all current betting accounts you have
• Reduce or remove your direct access to money, and make yourself more accountable for spending any funds you do have access to. For example, have a family member or trusted friend manage your funds for the moment. Note: With this, you still control your funds, and get to decide how it is spent, but any spending must go through this trusted person. Alternatively (or in addition to), add accountability by allowing the trusted person to have full visibility of your spending dor example by giving them view access to bank statements, keeping a detailed record of all spend with receipts.

  I hope you keep journaling, and look forward to following your progress.

[G Rec]

Hi iwanttoquit.

Welcome to the forum and well done on taking a positive step starting a Journal and looking for help.

I and I expect most on here can relate to much of your situation including previously gambling a large % of salary, getting in debt, being unable to pay bills, getting loads from family. friends.

On a positive, while it might not seem it now, you are relatively young to recognise your problem at 26, and you have a great chance of turning things around. As Dunc mentioned, there are new members groups on Mondays and Thursdays. I would strongly recommend giving these a go, I found them very useful when I first joined the forum.

Keep posting, I look forward to following your progress.

[G Rec]

Hi Newshoulder,

I have been following your progress, and it is great to see you have reached the 19-day mark of staying gamble-free. Well done.

I really hope that you can keep building that number up and up. I have’t seen you mention any barriers you have put in place to help increase the chances of staying gamble-free. Is that something that you have considered, and/or put in place? For me, barriers have made a big difference.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 207

Quick check in to complete the weekend. Nothing new to report but wanted to restate some of my plans for the week which include vising the forum each week day, at least 1 Journal entry, daily exercise each weekday morning, decent diet throughout the week.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 204

The days without betting are starting to add up, and without noticing I passed the 200-day mark which is nice to see. Happy with my progress, over the next week, I plan to get back to Daily weekday forum visits, at least 1 journal entry. Daily Week day morning exercise, and food tracking.

[G Rec]

Hi MK5,

Welcome to the forum, and well done on making it to Day 13. As you said, while no day is easy, each day it can get that little bit easier, and they add up over time. I look forward to reading your updates and progress.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 196

The last few weeks have continued to go well overall. with no gambling or urges, a decent diet, reasonable exercise routine, and I have really been enjoying it. That said, I have also been fortunate to not have anything unexpected come my way to potentially knock everything off routine, so I need to keep that in mind, and get back to more forum visits, and attending groups/meetings to stay as prepared as possible for anything that might come up.

[G Rec]

Days Since Last Betting: 188

I am happy with how things have been going recently. Urges have been limited or close to non existent, I have gotten back to more of a routine with regular visits to the forum, exercise, decent diet etc. All that said, as always, need to stay vigilant, I especially need to be mindful of unexpected events good or bad that may be a trigger, which I have been fortunate to not have any of recently

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