[Anonymous]

I’ll be taking a job at a big 4 this year, and I was wondering what to expect with squeezing in gym time during busy season and just on the daily basis. I have an active gym membership, and I work on the audit side so I’ll probably be in and out the office.

I did not know where else to post so I posted this here. I can condense my workouts (~30 minutes) using drop sets, no rest between sets (alternating body parts), and then doing bear complexes or running outdoors super early morning for my cardio, and I hope I can at least get that in a few times a week during the busy season. Maybe run early morning weekdays (5am if I have to commute and report to work at 8am), upper/lower body weight lifting split on weekends? I struggle keeping the weight off even just studying the CPA exam ALONE.

<b>Anyone else here gain some weight while studying/working long hours? Any tips or experiences welcome from the community.</b>

Thanks for any feedback.

[Kimboroni]

It's important to continue to work out while studying, as it helps you deal with the stress better and also helps your brain so that it can function at its peak, making studying more efficient. Eating well does the same thing.

I work out right after work to get that out of the way, and it helps keep me energized for the rest of the evening so I can study. I also try to keep quick healthy food around, like grapes, pre-cut apple slices (Costco has them for a really good price), baby carrots, refrigerated/frozen grilled chicken strips (non-breaded), bagged lettuce mix, organic soup, blueberries, sugar snap peas, nuts (although it's easy to go overboard on those), etc.

It takes extra effort, but I firmly believe it's well worth it. Support your studies with good habits.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Guti]

A 71 on FAR and 12 pounds.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[CanIpassYou Aud]

Gained about over 20 pounds (189) since I started the CPA journey. With f/t employment, CPA and master classes, I barely had anytime to work out. Since may of this year, I had lost that 20 pounds and determined to stay in this way.

CPA is a beast and glad is over

FAR-Passed
BEC-Passed
REG-Passed
AUD-Passed
Materials: Becker+Ninja Notes/Ninja MCQ/Ninja Flashcards
Click my name to view my LinkedIn account.

[Anonymous]

HA yeah. Two exams passed and 14 pounds later.

[Anonymous]

I lost weight in public accounting because I'm one of those people that loses their appetite when they're stressed out. I look at pictures of myself from when I worked in public accounting and I look horrible- I am 5'9″ and weighed just under 120 pounds. I actually had a doctor sit me down and talk to me about how I needed to gain weight and that I needed to think about whether this career was the right one for me, if I couldn't be healthy while doing it. I took a job in private and gained 15 pounds in 6 months. I look so much healthier now and I have time to work out! I haven't been working out much lately though because I've had a really condensed study schedule. It's amazing how stress can affect people.

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah, I don't even want to know how many pounds but I can tell! It is hard trying to fit that in when I need to study for the CPA exam

[wannabeCPA123]

I gained 10 lbs during busy season, but I quickly shed the pounds during may and June.

I WILL not sacrifice my health for this exam or my job. I will work out and eat healthy.

Eating healthy is very difficult in our industry because of the pressure to eat-out with the teams.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[impska]

Definitely. I need to lose about 5 pounds that I've put on since starting, but trying to do it while working and studying just made me feel kind of angry and depressed. So I decided to quit worrying about it until I'm finished the CPA exam. I'm sort of trying to maintain my weight at this point with healthy eating – but I'm not counting calories or exercising much.

One thing at a time.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[Anonymous]

@impska nice scores! 5 pounds is not bad at all, and you got the scores to justify the 5 pounds. I feel for people like @Gian who gained 12 pounds but a failing score to show for it. Depressing!!!

I don't want to end up as a fat accountant after starting (the freshman 15) and busy season!

[Anonymous]

I have gained weight with each job change over the last 6 years or so, but that's partially because each job has gotten less active (6 years goes back to my days working in a grocery store, which is a constantly-active job; now leave my desk for lunch, and once or twice a day to walk to the copier). However, I didn't gain weight over the exam time, at least not enough to be noticeable. I usually only know my weight within about a 10-pound range, so I might've varied from one end to the other within that but wouldn't have noticed. However, a month after I got my last passing score, I moved, and between when we moved and when I got a working scale again about 4 months later I'd gained 20 pounds. 😐 In the 3-4 months since then, I've lost about 2. Still got 18 to go to get back to where I was when I was taking the exams. 😛

[10keyLeah]

I don't know about Big4 or busy season, but I've had a hard time maintaining my weight since I started work. I have less “free” time so I've had to cut down on the time I spend working out, but upped the intensity. My colleagues love to eat out, but i've always tried to make my own healthy lunch. So, I go out to eat lunch once per week with them. I try to not go out to eat completely hungry and eat a healthy snack before hand, and I try to drink plenty of water – every day.

I'm a little nervous about going through busy season. I know it's going to be really hard to get in exercise time. I guess we just have to do the best we can.

The crazy thing is that during my internship a couple of years ago, I didn't have time to workout, but I ended up losing weight. Go figure. I guess stress can play some tricks.

Ninja Combo, Yaeger, Wiley -- Licensed CPA, May 2015

[nicole2035]

i've lost a lot of muscle, which imo is like me gaining weight. I'm fighting to get back on track but it's hard.

I've made sure i do cardio at least for 15 mins every morning, stretch, and then i try to take walks during my break at work.

Def do the condensing of the workout, my old trainer said that can burn just as many calories and keep your muscle strength up because your heart beat is up and you're more intense throughout. I'm gonna start doing the same.

[Anonymous]

I study during the day. Up between 6:45-7:00 to go to the gym.

Occasional run if I'm feeling stressed.

[Skynet]

I'v gained 5 lbs, but I'm pretty sure they are associated with the Gleim Review books that I'm carrying. I will sheds those 5 lbs once I'm done with he exams. I will then gain that 50 milligram weight from the CPA license and certificate. Those will be the happiest 50 milligrams ever gained.

AUD - 90
BEC - 78
FAR - 84
REG - 87

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - In Progress
Phase III : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase IV : Form the new Charlie's Angels with Megan Fox, Scarlett Johansson, & Gal Gadot
Phase V : TBD

BEC : 78
REG : 87
FAR : 84
AUD : 90

World Domination Plan

Phase I : Pass CPA Exams - Complete
Phase II : Megan Fox - Initiated
Phase III : Bring back 8-Tracks
Phase IV : Megan Fox & Scarlett Johansson Lingerie Pillow Fight
Phase V : TBA

[onmyway17]

yuppp… 20 pounds!!!!!!

FAR - 82
AUD- 91
REG- 81
BEC- 78

If it's important, you will find a way... if not, you will find an excuse. LET 2014 be the year!!!!

[Author]

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