Weekend over NO gambling 👍

[Meercat21]

We'll I know it's only been 3 days but I went through the weekend without gambling would have to be the first time in over 26 years !! I thought tonight I am actually guaranteed to have cash still in my bank and I did not miss out on anything by not gambling - BUT I have walked more kms in the past 2 days than 2 weeks so a small achievement but one I will just give myself a little pat in the back for.

[Lovely Cat Lady]

Hey @Meercat21,

Well done! The first weekend can be the toughest, especially if its a habit you've had for over 26 years, so well done! There's no such thing as a small accomplishment, every step of the way count. I'm glad you've shared this milestone with the community. And good job on walking so much, an extra positive thing to this change in your life. It's great you're filling in that space with something as positive for your mental and physical health as exercise. My hat's off to you. A little pat in the back well deserved. Keep up the good work!

[Meercat21]

Well weekend number 2 started tonight for me and I will be brutally honest I would have gone to the pokies after work as I have done so often but I made the decision to leave my money and atm card home today which utimately turned into a good decision because I just really wanted to go. I got home and still had this urge but my son bless him said let's walk so we did for an hour and a half and now I'm too worn out to go anywhere. I don't know if he sensed my struggle tonight but I was so grateful he asked the question. It made me realize it's going to be a hard couple of days but I am going to try so bloody hard and hope by the time Monday comes around I can be just a little tiny bit proud of my self for not gambling.

[Damaged_Armour]

Well weekend number 2 started tonight for me and I will be brutally honest I would have gone to the pokies after work as I have done so often but I made the decision to leave my money and atm card home today which utimately turned into a good decision because I just really wanted to go. I got home and still had this urge but my son bless him said let's walk so we did for an hour and a half and now I'm too worn out to go anywhere. I don't know if he sensed my struggle tonight but I was so grateful he asked the question. It made me realize it's going to be a hard couple of days but I am going to try so bloody hard and hope by the time Monday comes around I can be just a little tiny bit proud of my self for not gambling.

Good work bud.
God must have heard you and sent your son in to help. Can you make the walk a regular fixture on a Friday night?? Even by yourself perhaps.

[Wenna (facilitator)]

Hi @Meercat21 ,

You have identified some really solid strategies to stay away from gambling, such as leaving your cash and atm card at home. Some times its the little things that work. Hope you enjoyed the walk with your son. Sounds lovely.

Cheers,
Wenna
Moderator

[Meercat21]

My strategies cleary did not work I caved and went the casino with family for dinner tonight and spent a huge amount of money. I felt guilty the whole time but I kept doing it I don't understand why I would do this feeling like an absolute loser the whole time so everything I achieved this week was for nothing and again I absolute loathe myself.
Help please !!!

[Damaged_Armour]

My strategies cleary did not work I caved and went the casino with family for dinner tonight and spent a huge amount of money. I felt guilty the whole time but I kept doing it I don't understand why I would do this feeling like an absolute loser the whole time so everything I achieved this week was for nothing and again I absolute loathe myself.
Help please !!!

There's no easy fix mate, otherwise this forum wouldn't exist.
If I had to dismantle the situation, I would begin by saying your first and biggest mistake was going to the casino to have dinner. The second mistake was convincing yourself you would only sneek in for a quick $100 punt.
As a gambler you need to put obstacles in front of you. Obstacles like not going to gambling venues. There's lots of great places to have dinner.
Ok let's have another go now.

[Meercat21]

My strategies cleary did not work I caved and went the casino with family for dinner tonight and spent a huge amount of money. I felt guilty the whole time but I kept doing it I don't understand why I would do this feeling like an absolute loser the whole time so everything I achieved this week was for nothing and again I absolute loathe myself.
Help please !!!

There's no easy fix mate, otherwise this forum wouldn't exist.
If I had to dismantle the situation, I would begin by saying your first and biggest mistake was going to the casino to have dinner. The second mistake was convincing yourself you would only sneek in for a quick $100 punt.
As a gambler you need to put obstacles in front of you. Obstacles like not going to gambling venues. There's lots of great places to have dinner.
Ok let's have another go now.

All I can do is to try again and yes you are right I made the decision to go which I shouldn't have done it was stupid and unrealistic to think I was going to be ok just having a 'fun' night. I know I am struggling big time with this at the moment but I need to focus and be way more determine than I have been the past week and a bit thinking I was going to be able to handle this on the weekends because it's quite obvious I'm not. I guess one really small positive is I still haven't used sportsbet for the last two weeks and as of this morning have taken two steps 1. Self exclusion from the Casino and 2. Made an appointment to speak with a Counselor

[Damaged_Armour]

My strategies cleary did not work I caved and went the casino with family for dinner tonight and spent a huge amount of money. I felt guilty the whole time but I kept doing it I don't understand why I would do this feeling like an absolute loser the whole time so everything I achieved this week was for nothing and again I absolute loathe myself.
Help please !!!

There's no easy fix mate, otherwise this forum wouldn't exist.
If I had to dismantle the situation, I would begin by saying your first and biggest mistake was going to the casino to have dinner. The second mistake was convincing yourself you would only sneek in for a quick $100 punt.
As a gambler you need to put obstacles in front of you. Obstacles like not going to gambling venues. There's lots of great places to have dinner.
Ok let's have another go now.

All I can do is to try again and yes you are right I made the decision to go which I shouldn't have done it was stupid and unrealistic to think I was going to be ok just having a 'fun' night. I know I am struggling big time with this at the moment but I need to focus and be way more determine than I have been the past week and a bit thinking I was going to be able to handle this on the weekends because it's quite obvious I'm not. I guess one really small positive is I still haven't used sportsbet for the last two weeks and as of this morning have taken two steps 1. Self exclusion from the Casino and 2. Made an appointment to speak with a Counselor

Yes. Good F$%king work. You're onto it.

[Lovely Cat Lady]

Hi @Meercat21,
Well done on the self-exclusion and making an appointment with a counsellor! Another thing that could be helpful is downloading Gamban on your mobile and computer, which blocks gambling apps and websites.
I know its easier said than done but please try to be kind to yourself. Going to the casino for dinner wasn't stupid, it was human. The take away is that it made you realise that is not an option for you, at least in the meantime, and it took you to these other two magnificent steps towards where you rather be. One step back, two steps forward.