Taking a break works wonders!

[Jennifer]

After numerous sessions on different casino's (3dice, 32red, playtech and RTG ) of the most outrageous losses (by outrageous I mean going 2000-3000 spins without even 10x win or bonus spins), I decided to quit. I know the title says taking a break but its meant for most of you who will never quit but are thinking of taking a break. I felt absolutely cheated by some of these sites. Ya ya tin foil hat, its just how I felt. every single time I would have a wagering bonus, Id hit a nice win but end up losing trying to meet requirements anyways. So I stopped and just played with no bonuses or restrictions. These casino's sucked the life out of me. I now hate online casino's. I have had numerous offers for free chips. I declined every single one and have unsubscribed from as many as I could.

So enough of the back story onto my experience. While playing online i would spend hours upon hours playing, trying to hit. This effected my health. My sleeping was way off, the adrenaline was always flowing through me so it woke me up at all hours of the night/day. I was missing some days of work because I was so tired. I stopped eating healthy and had little to no exercise. I gained a bunch of weight and every time I looked in the mirror I felt digusted with myself.

I hated everything I had become. Enough was enough. I uninstalled all the casinos and emailed many and asked for lifetime bans.

I have never felt better. I have been working out 6 days a week (weight training every other day followed by 20 minutes of cardio and the days in between I do 20 minutes of cardio but no weights), going for walks, eating extremely well. My sleeping has got much better. Instead of being up until 5am, Im usual up the latest 1am and get a good 6-7 hours sleep. Sure Id like to be asleep at 11am but Im working towards it, my body clock is still a little off.

I have lost 20 pounds of fat and gained quite a bit of muscle. My diet revolves around protein, veges and almonds. I feel amazing and I will never ever go back to playing online casinos again.

If anyone feels they need to do this but dont know how to get started feel free to post itt or even shoot me a pm.

Dont let someone or something control your life other than yourself. Its a very dark and lonely path

Take care and I wish you all well

 

[XOXOXOXOXOX]

Wow, its nice to hear that you are doing so well and I think i may need to follow you.

 

[dionysus]

If you (or anyone) feels gambling is usurping all your time at the expense of everything else, then, yes, you should probably walk away and congrats for recognizing a problem
Pretty much anything that is done in excess is likely not terribly healthy for you in the long run. Moderation is key to pretty much everything.

Just a side out. People who like gambling are often people with addictive natures..smokers, drinkers, vices et c. I caution you: Be careful you not replace your bad habit with another bad habit. And that can be pretty much anything you do in excess to fill the 'void'. I'm all for healthy living, but you even mentioned you're working out 6 days a week. Even trainers will tell you to let your body 'repair'; give it time to catch up to the demands put on it. Don't turn a gambling addiction into a health kick that's overdone. Moderation is key GL

 

[conker]

Not only have you stopped gambling, but you have improved your health dramatically which is really good. Healthy living is so important and yet so many people just don't do it. It's great to hear you are so well as the previous poster said.

 

[missmichelle]

Jennifer,

I am so glad you are doing so well. You made a big change and it seems like it has really been agreeing with you.

Take care,

Michelle

 

[Jennifer]

I actually took a nutrition class. Working out 6 days a week is quite a bit but as long as you dont work the same muscles two days in a row. Plus lots of protein to repair muscles etc etc

Also wanted to say I did leave somewhat on a winning note. I won $400 on club gold and cashed out awhile before I quit...so when it arrived I got a nice little 400 check to make me feel better..heh heh

 

[Realitybitez]

OMG!

I feel your pain:

So enough of the back story onto my experience. While playing online i would spend hours upon hours playing, trying to hit. This effected my health. My sleeping was way off, the adrenaline was always flowing through me so it woke me up at all hours of the night/day. I was missing some days of work because I was so tired. I stopped eating healthy and had little to no exercise. I gained a bunch of weight and every time I looked in the mirror I felt digusted with myself.


I can relate to all of that. And as someone said above, Im definately one of those people with an addictive nature. Really easily hooked on things

Its probably time to take a break but talking about it and doing it are two totally things and easier said than done

I admire you for your strength in taking that step back:notworthy and in fact, am going to try my hardest to have one week of NO gambling at all.

This will be interesting

 

[Jennifer]

So reality did you end up trying it out?

I still havent touched online casino's and have had zero interest in doing so. Life is grand!

 

[immortality]

I still havent touched online casino's and have had zero interest in doing so. Life is grand!

Good For you Jen, I wish I had the same will power as you, but I've been gambling for over 10 years, so it's too difficult for me, I have cut down though on playing online ( wish there wasn't gambling venues so close to where I live though). One good thing though, I ain't a compulsive gambler, once I have so much, I run for the hills

 

[EdieD]

Jen,

I guess you're saving a lot of money too. Even if spending the money, it's probably on things you want instead of giving it to greedy casinos.

I feel really bad knowing I have to work so hard and then just hand them the money for nothing in return. Knowing you are improving yourself physically and mentally is a good feeling. Good for you and keep it up.

Just curious though...what was your final breaking point when you decided to stop playing online altogether? Was it the constant losing or aggravation of dealing with the casinos?

I don't gamble at online casinos anymore, but still play land based. I try to stay disciplined and play their free slot play promotions. I don't always have the strength and play my own money...lose usually. All casinos just have become very tight sinceeconomy changed.

 

[Lucky Loser]

I have been an addicted gambler since the age of about 16 (26 years ago !). Horses, poker and slots. I just love the rush you get from winning. Nothing else comes close for me.

Anyway, I have been gambling online for just over 3 years now and it has been a saviour for me. I have saved a large sum of money for the first time in my life and still get to gamble pretty much everyday. I have learnt to consistently cash out when ahead, then take a bonus at another casino. Trying to beat bonuses is a challenge which I enjoy. I now gamble more than ever. It's great.

Getting 95% returns with lots of free bonus money sure beats the land based pokies returning 86%. Sometimes I would lose my entire pay packet in one session. Hopefully, those days are gone forever.

Saying that, I really admire anybody that can kick the gambling habit knowing how hard it is.

 

[Jennifer]

Just curious though...what was your final breaking point when you decided to stop playing online altogether?

Even though the losses were piling up quickly this wasnt the entire reason. One morning when I was brushing my teeth I looked in the mirror. I saw black under my eyes along with bags. I looked extremely pale like I havent seen any sun for years and I noticed I was out of shape. Sometimes walking up the stairs I would be out of breath. Being 29 and living/looking like your 40 is unacceptable for me

I looked in the mirror and it slapped me in the face to the point I had tears in my eyes. I became someone else and it hurt when I realized it. I said right then and there "enough is enough, you live once start acting like you want to be here". Sounds kinda corny I know but its the honest to gods truth

Most people cant break bad habits and I understand why. It becomes a lifestyle and an addiction. By being able to fight back and become a different person shows that humans can make changes if they truly want to and try.

 

[Jennifer]

Saying that, I really admire anybody that can kick the gambling habit knowing how hard it is.

and I think it's okay for people to gamble if its truly what they want to do and makes them happy.

Good For you Jen, I wish I had the same will power as you, but I've been gambling for over 10 years, so it's too difficult for me, I have cut down though on playing online ( wish there wasn't gambling venues so close to where I live though). One good thing though, I ain't a compulsive gambler, once I have so much, I run for the hills

You do have the same power as I do. It may be harder for you but if you put your mind and worked hard, you could do it. But only if you truly want to

 

[LHofsdal]

Jennifer,

I admire the fact that you knew when to quit. Sometimes a reality check can be the hardest thing for someone, but making the choice to do something about the reality check and doing it is always the hardest. I wish you the best of luck and hope you will continue to come back post updates. I think your doing an amazing thing here, and hope you stay strong and accomplish everything you set out to do.

Lori