[Hammer]

How do you guys exercise while studying and working full time? Where do you find the time? I feel my health deteriorating as I go through this process and it is driving me nuts. Squeeze it in early in the morning? Right after work and stay up even later studying?

FAR - 70, 81
AUD - 83
BEC - 77
REG - 70, 78

Licensed in Ohio.

Now what the hell do I do?

[TNCPA16]

I hear ya! It's tough, and it doesn't help that there are 2 giant plate of cookies right outside of my office (my coworkers are trying to kill me). I tried to get up early this morning to go for a run, but hit snooze a few too many times instead. I find the best time for me is right after work and squeeze in at least 30 minutes. There's a gym in my office, so it's pretty convenient. I'll try to get in a little study time and watch lectures instead of TV while doing some cardio. On the weekends, I make it a point to split up my study sessions and go for a walk in between. Even if it's not much, I still like to get up and move a little bit since I spend so much time just sitting.

[ala72]

I go to the gym during lunch. If I need to, I can read Ninja Notes or do MC questions on cardio machines. I do take 30 minutes to do weights though and shut the ‘CPA stuff' off. It's not a perfect workout and sometimes I feel like I wish I went harder but it's the compromise that I make to get study time in. I also can study occasionally at work so that makes life wayyyyy easier. I also don't have children like some people but my fiance is very supportive of my study schedule. I just think of suffering and sacrificing now so I can just get it done and celebrate and live life later.

Life's full of compromises – find a balance that works for YOU. Each person's needs are different

Licensed NH CPA as of July 2015

AUD - 74 (Oct '13), 84 (Jan '14)
FAR - 79 (Feb '14)
REG - 61 (May '13), 81 (Aug '14)
BEC - 79 (Nov '14)

[Anonymous]

I try and get to the gym 4 times a week. I only live 15 min from home and the gym is literally on my way home so I can get in a quick 45 min cardio session. My schedule is Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to workout. I eat healthy all day that way if I have something unhealthy at night to stay awake I won't feel bad or gross about it! At lunchtime, I try and bring my dog for a jog/walk for 20 min. Once you get into a routine that works for you, you'll feel great!

[Anonymous]

I didn't. *jiggle jiggle*

I should've. =P

[Matt]

Exercising really doesn't need to take that long. Squats, push ups (alternating wide/narrow grip), and pull-ups/chin-ups (alternative wide/narrow grip) will cover about 80% of the results you'd get by going to the gym.

Intensity > quantity:

If squats are too easy for you, try doing them more slowly, up to 12 reps. If that's still too easy, try doing them one-legged.

If push-ups are too easy for you, try doing them more slowly, up to 12 reps. If that's still too easy, try doing them one-handed.

If pull-ups/chin-ups are too easy for you, try doing them more slowly, up to 12 reps. If that's still too easy, try doing them one-handed.

These three exercises will work your:

• Quadriceps (squats)

• Rectus abdominis (“abs”) (push-ups)

• Latissimus dorsi (“upper back”) (shoulder-width pull-ups)

• Pectoralis major (“chest”) (wide push-ups)

• Triceps (narrow push-ups)

• Biceps (narrow chin-ups)

• Brachialis (narrow pull-ups)

That's basically all your major muscles, except your calves, hamstrings, erector spinæ (“lower back”), and deltoids.

If you want to work additional muscles:

• You can use a weighted backpack/bag to do one-armed rows to work your posterior deltoids (Google Image search if necessary).

• You can use a weighted backpack/bag to do upright rows to work your lateral deltoids (Google Image search if necessary).

• You can use any heavy object to do military presses to work your anterior deltoids (Google Image search if necessary).

• If you're really in shape, you can do handstand push-ups (assisted if necessary) to work your anterior deltoids.

Golden rules:

• 8-12 repetitions @ 10 seconds/repetition (5 secs exerting movement » 5 secs negative movement)

• Exhale when exerting force; inhale when not

• NEVER exhaust the same muscles 2 days in a row

And if that's too complicated, you can always just hold an isometric pose (mid-way squat position, mid-way push-up position, mid-way pull/chin-up position) for as long as you can until you collapse.

A less-intensive alternative is to just go swimming. Hope this helped.

AUD: 88
BEC: 79
REG: 81
FAR: 72 » 74 » 88

Study method: 100% watching videos, including solving problems covered therein; no books, paper, or pencils

[playonwards]

Get up at 5:00 am everyday, go to the gym. Stretch, run, lift weights. Leave the gym around 6:30.

Get to work around 7:00, and study until on the clock at 8:00. Work until 5:00.

Stay at work, study until 7:00. Get home at 7:30. Eat. Watch TV or study more.

Go to bed. Wake up. Repeat.

Fitting the gym into your schedule is very doable. I work full time and still go to the gym every day of the week while studying. It's a great way to relieve stress.

FAR- 92 (7/25/2014)
AUD- 93 (8/30/2014)
REG- 93 (10/10/2014)
BEC- 91 (11/10/2014)

Using Becker self-study only. Working full-time.

[Kimboroni]

It is a great stress reliever. I work out most days in the evening, which gives me the energy to stay up and study. I'm a night owl naturally, so that works for me. If you're a morning person, you'd have to work out your own schedule.

I have been seen doing pushups over my Wiley book. Study and work out at the same time!

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. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I get a great sense of accomplishment and achievement working out before I study for the day. Easier for me seeing as I don't have to get up for work, but my mom swings it at 5 and she works 12 hour days 5 days a week. If she can do it, we can.

[Amay]

I have been fairly consistent with my work-outs this year and it has really paid off in terms of focus and stress relief (no more migraines). I highly recommend making the time. It is important and will help you pass these exams. I go right after work Monday-Thursday to a circuit training class at a park near my house. It really forces me to leave work early (it's not like they pay me for overtime), get energized with exercise, and study a couple of hours at night. I take Fridays off and study during the day on the weekends.

BEC: 73, 81
AUD: 85
FAR: 71, 77
REG: 74, 75...finally DONE! 😀

*This is my 2nd attempt at the CPA exam. For all of you who have failed this exam many times, given up on it, or taken a break like me, remember that it is still possible to finish what you started...failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently 🙂

[Anonymous]

To me, this is the most depressing part about studying. I would do the ninja flashcards on the elliptical at the gym haha. Also…I run Saturday and Sunday mornings around 6 am that way I get it out of the way and come home in time for coffee and studying for the rest of the day (yippee)

[super.senpai]

I use to go to a gym. However, I noticed waiting for a machine or certain equipment wasted a lot time for me. Over the years I saved and accumulated, what I believed to be, the essential home gym equipment. For cardio, I try to run at least 3 miles or jump rope. At the very least I try to walk. Pull ups are definitely awesome.

BEC: 72,72, 77
AUD: 47, 63

[spinfuzer]

Put your videos or audio on your phone or whatever. Listen to it while you exercise.

FAR - 08/08/14 - 93
BEC - 08/28/14 - 95
REG - 10/11/14 - 96
AUD - 11/30/14 - 99

[June2016]

I have developed this strange habit while studying… I read sections of the textbook and then pace back and forth around the room while reviewing in my head what I just read. Besides it being weird…. I am hoping it has some exercise benefits lol. I guess it beats sitting for hours.

It's hard to find time if you work and study but you should consider making a study schedule that makes time for exercising… it doesn't have to be every day. Even if it prolongs how many days you will have to study for a section I think the benefits will end up helping you pass.

Besides the health benefits of going to the gym it also gives me energy, better sleep, mind clarity, and elevates mood. I never really exercised until recently and now I cannot imagine how people go through life without ever exercising.

[Anonymous]

I work out doing jiu jitsu multiple times a week. I just make it a priority in my life to train hard, study hard. Cut out unnecessary time. I don't go out often, except with my girlfriend a night or two a week. I also plan on competing in multiple tournaments during this cpa path. Have a sickening work ethic and things will fall into place.

[koz124]

This will sound really weird, but I just put an administrative task on my computer that is set to go off every 2 hours. It pops up a song (currently “let's go”), and reminds me to a mini workout. Right now, I'm just doing 10 pushups, 10 situps, 10 situps on the ball, 10 side crunches each side, and 15 squats. Takes up the 3:30 minutes of the song and is quick and painless. Plus it gives me a little boost of energy.

Studying with Wiley Review, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja Audio.
Retakes with Ninja MCQ only...awesome!
Far - 1/28 72, 7/22 79
Aud - 2/28 70, 8/14 83
Bec - 4/10 80
Reg - 5/30 64, 7/2 82

[Author]

Replies