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.