Fit & Studying: Support thread

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #178197
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I’ve ventured into the Health issues section, but this particular thread is supposed to help AVOID said issues.

    Let’s share what we are doing to try and maintain our health while studying. What are you guys doing for workouts? Workout DVDs? Buying home equipment? Gym lifting? Cardio only? Any particular workout programs you are using or are you freestyling it? What time of day do you workout?

    Are you guys trying to keep your eating habits under control? What are some good healthy study snacks you like?

    While it may be difficult for these exams to not affect your health at all, it is important to minimize negative affects. Let’s support each other and share our tips/techniques!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 368 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #683573
    icanhazcpa
    Member

    I recently signed up for a 5K so I'll have a reason to go for a run several times a week. I'm also trying to keep an eye on how I'm eating, but on score release day I'm not responsible for my candy intake!

    BEC - 83
    FAR - 83
    REG - 74, 78
    AUD - 76

    Becker Self Study

    #683574
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Haha I can relate. I do pretty well keeping my eating habits under control for most of the time I'm studying. But the week leading up to the exam is a free for all…anything is game, as long as it keeps my mood positive and keeps me alert while studying. I am tracking my calories consumed on myfitnesspal.com

    I am following a workout program called New Rules of Lifting for Women. It's pretty intense with weight training and I love it…I also do 10 min interval training after the weight lifting. I try to jog outside consistently on non-lifting days.

    I find when I workout in the AM I have much more energy for the rest of the day to sustain me even through study time after work.

    #683575
    smp73
    Member

    So I actually lost 12 pounds while studying for my REG retake (s).

    I was careful with what I ate, partly to be healthy and partly because I have to adhere to a strict diet because of health issues. But I did not eat past 6:30 at night EVER. I would drink water instead. Every other night I would go to the gym for an intense workout. While I was at the gym I would listen to NINJA audio so I did not feel like I was missing out on study time. On the non gym days I would take my dogs for a longer walk. I tracked my steps with a fit bit ensuring I got 10,000 + steps a day, I would jump rope on study breaks or do stability ball work outs. I would also study while sitting on a stability ball.

    If it was a particularly nice day I would go for a run instead of the gym. Friday's were fieldtrip days with the dogs and I took them hiking or someplace different for a fun walk.

    I woke up early and studied before work, studied at lunch for 45 minutes (the other 15 minutes I spent walking), studied around my exercise schedule at night and did power weekends. I broke up power weekends with gym trips/runs and with dog walks. Sticking to a crazy strict schedule really helped. At the end of REG I was officially one dress size smaller, in much better shape and am running farther than ever and I am done with the CPA exams forever!

    NYS CPA License # 113563
    CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

    Training for a half marathon post studying!

    #683576
    kevlee
    Member

    I work full time and i usually get home around 6. I try to go to the gym as much as possible and if I do go, I eat a light snack and I end up coming home around 8 and then shower/eat dinner. then I study till about 12-1am. I usually spend 2-3 hours to cook on the weekends for my meals for the whole week so I force myself to eat healthy and not buy something from the outside (also saves money). I eat whatever I want on the weekends and go out once in a while if not im studying for 10+ hours a day.

    work: 40 hrs a week

    study: 30-40 hrs a week

    gym: 5-7 hrs a week

    sleep: barely get any

    #683577

    What a great idea for a thread!!!! I love it!

    Being healthy is very important to me. I was once 75 pounds heavier than I am now, and I don't ever want to go back!

    (I couldn't help but notice the irony between not wanting 75 pounds, but wanting 75 points to pass!)

    I do my best to make working out a priority, so I do it first thing every morning during the week. I have come to LOVE Jillian Michaels dvd's. I particularly like the 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30! That is because each workout is no more than 30 minutes and you SWEAT! It combines strength training, cardio, and abs.

    By doing this first thing, I find that it gives me lots of good endorphines to power me throughout the day. I know that I always feel better about myself when I actually TAKE CARE of myself.

    As far as diet, I do my best to eat healthy, but allow myself to splurge one day a week. So far, I have been successful in keeping these 75 pounds off, and I enjoy being in my healthy weight range.

    Because I fully utilize Power Weekends, I start studying as early as possible. I usually take a break after 4 hours, and this is when I run outside with my lab, Milo! I find this is a great way to break up a marathon study session.

    I do treat myself to an adult beverage at the end of a productive power weekend, I AM human. 🙂

    "Do not give up when you still have something to give... Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying."

    Why I am studying for the CPA exam: First it was business...now it's personal!!!!! 🙂

    #683578
    ORcpaHOPEFUL
    Member

    Great thread! I'm at home studying full time (I quit in order to do so- and I was unhappy and OVER public acct anyways) so it's hard not to be tempted to snack- I usually try to snack on fruit or a smoothie though. I usually eat pretty healthy in general but like everyone else said- testing week is fair game! I also treat myself usually once a week to froyo or sonething unhealthy. As for working out- I have to do it or I'd go crazy! I was working out six days a week for a while but now it's down to 2-3. I like to do videos at home because when I go to the gym I seem to go overboard and work out for like an hour and a half. I like Jillian Micheals killer bun/thighs and 30 day shred- as well as the Brazil Butt Lift videos. Just because you're studying doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself! More power to those that are working as well 🙂

    FAR: PASSED!! 64, 68, 79 on 2/27/13!
    AUD: PASSED!! 73, 93 on 4/5/13!!!
    BEC: PASSED!! 75 (phew) on 5/24/13!
    REG: PASSED!!! 77 on 8/7/13 I AM DONE!!!!!

    Experience: got it!
    Ethics Exam: PASSED on first try (what a waste of money)

    #683579
    foreseeableCPA
    Participant

    I started off eating well in the beginning of every section. Then as the material started to get overwhelming, it became a whole different lifestyle. I was drinking energy drinks, coffee, chips, candy, and pretty much anything that was easily accessible. Now that my CPA journey is over, I am more conscious of what I am eating. Less carbs, more protein, and rarely any sweets. Also, I have been going to the gym at least 3 times a week (no excuses). I am trying to lose the weight I gained from the exams and busy season since I put on about 15 pounds since January. arghhhhh!

    CPA - Class of 2013
    CIA - Class of 2016

    #683580

    It's disgusting how much I've gained A) since joining public account(3 years) and B) since studying hardcore AND working in public accounting(1 year). I never “had to” exercise before so I hate it. I am up 25 lbs! So after I pass to the gym I go….

    CA CPA - All because of the journey listed below
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    FAR - 53('10), 8/25/12 79 PASSED!
    REG - 66('11), 69('12), 12/06/12 77 PASSED!!
    BEC - 58('10), 74('12), 01/05/13 77 PASSED!!!
    AUD - 43('11), 66('12), 69('13), 74('13) 7/29/13 85 PASSED!!!!!

    (Combinations of Roger, Yaeger, Wiley Book, Wiley TB, & NINJA Notes)

    Ethics 90%

    #683581
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    In the middle of studying for my first exam, my grandpa nearly died and was released from the hospital with a very strict diet – very low-carb, low-calorie, low-salt, low-everything! lol. I was the best choice in the household (I live with my grandparents – they need care nearby!) to cook things which were edible and met the requirements, so for a couple weeks I ate a very healthy weight with him and actually lost weight, but then he started feeling well enough that he lost interest in the diet…and it's hard to be motivated to cook some healthy meal for myself, with no diagnosed health problems, when he's got all these problems and is eating a big thick cheeseburger and fries… 😛 I find that work actually helps me eat better, though, since I can make good choices when packing my lunch, and then I'm stuck with them come lunch time! It's the days off that are my killer. 😐 Especially since I use candy to motivate myself when studying…like an M&M per page I read, or something like that, which worked OK when I was reading much shorter textbooks before…but a 1500-page book results in a lot of candy!

    I'm not at all consistent exercising, but when I do exercise, I either use Jillian Michaels' 30-day Shred since it's a half hour and (for me 😉 ) intense…or I do a certain number of pushups, squats, and situps/crunches. The pushups etc is quicker, but I feel more like I worked out if I do Jillian Michaels'. I just got over being sore from my first workout in probably 3 months – guess that means it's time to do it again. 😐

    #683582
    neika822
    Participant

    So ironic that this post is out since I'm trying to find time to workout while studying. I never “worked out” before. I've always been fairly slim, but I'm not in any sort of athletic shape. I couldn't run a mile before.

    Two months ago I started to work out a few days a week and decided to make a regular routine out of it. I've been doing fairly well. I started to get up at 5am to study several months ago, so now I just alternate mornings with studying or working out. I try to workout Tu/Th/Sa/Su mornings, and I do yoga Wednesday afternoons. The other mornings I will study for 1.5 hours. I know I should study during the workout mornings, but I'm having a lot of fun exercising! I can now run a consistent mile and a half (which doesn't seem like much, and I still REALLY struggle, but it's far for me!)

    Eating healthy is a whole different story. Some afternoons I do well, others I need chocolate ASAP.

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #683583
    smp73
    Member

    @neika822 congrats on your running improvement! The first mile is always the hardest. Go you!

    NYS CPA License # 113563
    CIA: Done as of 2/15/14

    Training for a half marathon post studying!

    #683584
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Looks like the Jillian Michaels home workouts are pretty good…I may have to invest in one to see how I like it.

    And I think I will skip rope during study breaks…i think that's best since 1) I shouldn't be on break for more than 5 mins at a time, and 2) i don't think i can skip rope without stopping for longer than 5 mins anyways lol

    The stability ball chair is another good tip.

    #683585
    neika822
    Participant

    Thanks!! 🙂

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #683586

    I know some of you have families, are 100+ yrs old, and work 100+ hrs/week, but there is no reason in the world you can't get al least 30 mins of exercise every day. There are a ton of exercises which don't require you to be outside or at the gym…NO EXCUSES!

    CPA for life...

    #683587
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    ParanoidAndroid:

    Ok…I take it you're an advocate for purchasing home equipment/ workout DVDs?

    I get what you mean and IN THEORY, you're 100% right. But sometimes it just doesn't work out that way in real life.

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 368 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.