Friday 26 February 2016

No quick fix.

Good morning. The idea for today's blog post has come from an article in The Times. There is a huge growth in online gambling, which is driving addiction among young people. The number of 18 to 35 year olds calling a leading gambling helpline has jumped by 177 per cent in five years. Campaigners say that an advertising free for all has encouraged young people to take up gambling in record numbers. The online betting industry has grown rapidly in the last five years.

I find this pretty scary because the gambling gene has bypassed my brain. I have never felt the urge to risk my money on the turn of a card, toss of a dice, or press of a button on a machine. Yes, ok I admit to putting pennies in a slot machine at the seaside, but I soon learnt that the only winners were those who owned the arcade. I had a flutter on the national lottery when it first started, but the odds are so dire, it was soon apparent to me that I had less than a splash of gnats piddle of winning.

For some people the thrill of  the gamble is the fun of  it. That's ok if you have got the money to lose, and know when to stop. But for others it will be the urgent need to increase their income, and will be viewed as a short cut, a quick fix, to their money problems. Sadly when gambling is seen as a way to make money, the logic of quitting when you are ahead goes out of the window, and one win is never enough. You cannot gamble your way out of insolvency.

I can think of several scenarios where quick fixes don't work, and long term solutions are the key to achieving where you want to be in life. Off the top of my head.........

Spending money on faddy diets that promise weight loss results in a few weeks. OK, so you might drop a few pounds, but what happens after? You can't drink shakes for the rest of your life. That is no quick fix. Long term healthy eating is the solution, educating your taste buds, and exercise.

Getting your boobs pumped up. Fashions come and fashions go. Some famous people who went down this route are now reversing it and having their airbags removed completely, or they are downsizing. If there is something you are not happy with about your body, there are so many procedures that can now be done to correct the perceived imperfections. They might give a short term solution and make you feel good for a while, but the long term solution is to take a look inside your own head. I struggled for many years with low esteem because of  how saw my face, there were times when I absolutely hated it. But now I have come to terms with it. I decided not to let it get in the way of me doing what I want to do. I chose a job which brought me a lot of attention, I chose to become a pioneer for women in transport, and I chose to write this blog and put myself out there in the media. So, my long term solution for accepting my looks has gone on for forty years.

As well as gambling there are other addictions which do not respond to quick fixes. Alcohol, smoking, food addictions and eating disorders. These type of addictions destroy lives, they have got such a strong hold it's not a matter of turning off the switch. One glass of beer, one crafty fag, secret raids to the fridge, binging then vomiting all need a long term solution, often with the help and support of family and friends, and professionals.

Ok, let me summarize. I've talked about quick fixes not working, but long term fixes will not work either if there is no commitment. The choice is to bimble along and be happy in your own skin, or pull out all the stops to get where you want to be. Me personally, I would like to hang on to my good health and fitness levels, so I have to work at it. I will walk the three miles a day, and longer walks in summer, I will make time for it. The long term goal is to reach 1000 miles in twelve months. I will stuff my face with veg, but may occasionally have a cake or an ice cream, which will keep my spirits up. I will wake up every morning and marvel at the brand new day ahead of me. These are not quick fixes, but long term fixes which will hopefully work.

I've been looking for some videos on good old yoootooob, to illustrate my points, and have found three. Each with a different scenario, but the same message, there is no quick fix. Something to ponder over the weekend.

Have a look at Karen on her treadmill, she could be my sister.


Want to get fit, listen to Justin.


Want to improve your life with meditation? Listen to Khandro


Thank you for popping in. I hope you have a great weekend. Catch up soon.
Toodle pip

PS. Just got to come back and add this, I can't stop laughing. Go back to the previous post and see what troll has been commenting on. You will wet your pants, ha ha. 

20 comments:

  1. Hi Ilona, Just popped by to say hello and so you know I'm still around. John x

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  2. i think you look lovely and find you very inspirational

    you talk a lot of sense
    keep doing it please

    tessa

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  3. One aspect of gambling that, I think, gets overlooked is n addiction to betting on the stock market. I have a dear friend whose husband became addicted to investing in stocks and, as a consequence, they lost their house and savings and faced financial ruin. Fortunately, she took her kids and got out of the situation but it was difficult and painful for her. Investment seems so legitimate but it can be an addiction just like gambling. Thank you for your thoughts!

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  4. I lost 2 stone in 3 months once when I was ill, that was a quick fix! Don't recommend it though.
    I do think your troll thing is funny, with other people joining in, makes such good entertainment for us quiet simple country folk!!

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    1. I don't find it funny. People being unpleasant rarely is. Some of the responses are no better. Just shows unkindness all around.

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    2. Poking fun at the troll is a way to let them know their nasty comments are not having the impact they desire. Their aim is to upset me and disrupt the smooth running of the blog. Well it doesn't work, this troll has history. If they want to play dirty, they should expect to get dirt back. Nobody has to lie down and take insults.

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  5. I did read your troll's comments - very negative. There are plenty of your readers here that are in your camp. More people should carve their own paths - its adds to the world's diversity. Natalie

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  6. I got my first job at age 15 making $1.50 per hour (U.S.) plus tips. I was so proud! So when I was old enough to gamble, I listened to advice I was given, "Never gamble with more money than you can afford to use." Guess what? I never gambled. I don't even buy lottery tickets. But I know it's a BIG problem for some people. Sadly. An investment adviser once told me the stock market is, in essence, gambling. I have savings and have bought bonds, but don't own stocks for the same reason. Property is a good investment only if you intend to hang onto it for the long haul. You're right that "quick" fixes rarely bring lasting results. My DH has a saying, "Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers." If you want your life to change, you have to change the way you think.

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  7. I could add a few more to your examples, but you are so right!

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  8. I agree about the spending it's not how much you make, it's how much you spend. And fad diets never work.

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  9. Ma'am, you really are amazing. Please do not change. I agree with all your comments and all the supportive comments from all your fans.
    Yay Ilona.

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  10. Wonderful post Ilona.
    I absoloutly abhor the rise of online gambeling my view is this its an intravenous drip into someones psyche and robs you of everything,I don't now nor ever seen it as entertainment. I never do the lotery but very occasionaly will enter a raffle if I am at a bazzar.I understand eating disorders struggled all my life with this and been offered the soloution of stomac stapeling nearly got there as well with a lot of thought I felt this was taking self abuse too far and settled for dealing with the shape im in some like it some dont. me,well some days are better then others but like you said you get on with getting on with it.Dont stop doing what you are doing. Love to read what you say all the best Rachel

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  11. Good post, as always. This is one of the reasons your blog is THE best, we never know what to expect and are never disappointed. Always good tips, sensible advice, a good laugh and so friendly. Like dropping in on an old friend for a chat.
    Good for you posting the troll`s comment, I think most of us `suspect` who she may be. And I totally agree that she is jealous of all your publicity and your popularity.
    Keep going Ilona, you are fantastic.
    x

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  12. Once a year I take $100 and gamble with slot machines on my birthday. I count that $100 as lost the moment I set foot in the casino. Whatever I walk away after spending the $100 I count as winnings. It's put in an envelope and whatever is needed is added next year to make the $100. (Usually less than $20.)

    Leslie from New Orleans

    It will take me 4 or so hours to play the slots since I play the penny slots. My husband says I'm cheap. I tell him he doesn't know how cheap I am. I'd play the two for a penny slot machines if they had any.

    It's mindless and gives me some enjoyment. But I don't play the lottery or cards for money, etc. Just my cheap pennies. Everyone should know their limits and what makes them happy.

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  13. Terrific post today! Thank you

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  14. Thank you Ilona for highlighting the huge rise in young gamblers, Im the Mum of a 20 year old son who is a compulsive gambler. He was raised the same as his sibling, is loved and cared for deeply and theres nothing to suggest this could ever happen. This is not about choice, maybe at the beginning but it some becomes as addictive as alcohol and drugs, that's a fact, its destroyed his life and ours. We had no choice but tell our son to leave he was unrecognisable as our son, and I still don't know if he's well or where he is, you can imagine the distress this is causing us. What they don't tell you aswell is the theres a high suicide rate with young gamblers yet all those ridiculous adverts make it look like fun. Sorry if this down beat but its all sadly true, so thank you again for bringing it to peoples attention, its far over due.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Anon, for sharing your story. It is so very sad when gambling gets a grip over someone's life, I can't imagine the hell you must have gone through. Maybe one day he will walk back into your life, I hope he does.

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  15. Thank you Ilona, all we can do is hope that he recovers and comes back into our lives. I love reading your blog, you're attitude to life is inspiring it really brightens my day.

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  16. Thank you Ilona. I first got news of your blog some weeks back in the National Press and look forward every day to each new blog. Like you I am a pensioner and always skint as I spend too much (always thinking I am not going to deny myself). However with your own property also it is hard on just a state pension but you have given me some very good lessons. Thank You and you have a wonderful Spirit.

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