[Anonymous]

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!

[jle1028]

Around 2010, a couple years before I started towards accounting as a profession, I started going to the gym with great regularity. Group fitness was my thing. Les Mills classes were outstanding (another plug for BodyPump, as well as the other classes that are LM licensed, especially if you want to ease into better fitness) and kept me motivated. Between May 2010 and April 2012, I dropped 80 pounds. I maintained weight well between then and December. In November, I got a job that required me to move away from my gym (and the amazing, supporting people with whom I developed great relationships). I joined a CrossFit box right after moving and tried to stay motivated. Then January and year-end hit (I work in private). I could not make the time to get back. Finally, in March I went back, but as most know, going back for the first time in months results in DOMS. Oh my goodness, DOMS. And then the auditors arrived at work and I again put in more overtime and lost motivation.

At the end of May, I hopped on the scale because I had started to feel pretty darn disgusting and was horrified by the number. June 3, a friend and I started on the Whole 30, a thirty day lifestyle change that is effectively 100%-compliance paleo. Already I've noticed a difference. Mind you, now I spend most of my non-working, waking hours cooking and doing dishes, but it's been a good change. I just need to get my butt back to the gym (DOMS be damned) and, at the same time, get onto a feasible FAR study schedule.

REG -- 77 (11/12)
AUD -- 77 (2/13)
BEC -- 89 (4/13)
FAR -- 91 (10/13)

Roger CPA, Wiley

[smp73]

Really loving this thread too!

@3CPAv2 sounds like a great smoothie recipe. Wish I could try it. I am really into smoothies. I have never used kale just spinach. I have the added “pressure” of not being able to eat any dairy products, no gluten, nothing high in fiber, low fat and honestly the kicker…easily digestible food. I am always looking for new smoothie recipes that do not include dairy since I have to stick to a primarily liquid diet. How fun! 🙂 Really its not so bad. Any suggestions?

For anyone that has not passed a part of the exam use a little of that anger to fuel your workouts too. Thats what I did for my REG retakes. 🙂 I will be starting to study for the CIA exam here soon so it will be back to the rigid workout/study schedule once again!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Kodiak]

@ jle – what did you think of Crossfit? I've been looking into those classes for a while now and people seem to swear by it, almost fanatically. Those WODs seem super intense!

AUD - Pass
FAR - Pass
BEC - Pass
REG - Nov

[nbad311]

@smp73 omg yes to being fueled by failing scores! As I run in the 85-degree heat or squat 40lbs up and down in Bodypump for 5 minutes straight, sometimes all I can think is “this SUCKS…. but doesn't hurt anywhere as bad as failing that exam”. Or if I'm being overly harsh on myself that day, think “this is what you get for FAILING!”

REG - 65, 70, 80!
BEC - 35, 62, 79!
AUD - 73, 75!
FAR - 65, 73, 70, 75! DONE.

[jle1028]

@Kodiak: I think they're great. I know proponents of CrossFit can come across as it being the end-all, be-all (not all, but they can …). I think it's a great experience, but it all boils down to the quality of the trainers on staff. Before laying down the not-unusual large monthly fee, you should do some research. Watch a WOD, see if they offer a trial session. You want to make sure that safety is their top priority. The lifts that they teach you can be dangerous if your form isn't good. A good box will keep an eye on you to make sure that you're not going to hurt yourself and will offer proper guidance through the workout. Also, you should be looking for programming that's a good mix of strength and metcon (metabolic conditioning; read: cardio). That all said, it really is a lot of fun. You'll get a great workout and meet some awesome people. Lemme know if you have other questions. 🙂

REG -- 77 (11/12)
AUD -- 77 (2/13)
BEC -- 89 (4/13)
FAR -- 91 (10/13)

Roger CPA, Wiley

[vlc1982]

I use the Pomodoro Tequinique for studying, and I use the 5 minute breaks to do leg lifts and lunges. You can easily work in 30 minutes to an hour of daily exercise this way.

I had to cut out sweets since I started gaining weight from studying. But I REALLY missed ice cream. So instead, I whip up a fruit smoothie (banana, blueberry, strawberry, milk, ice) and it seems to calm my ice cream cravings. Also, I try to eat a salad or some sort of greens before every meal. According to nutritionists, this aids in the digestion process so that it requires less energy for your body to digest food. That leaves you feeling less tired after meals so you can stay awake and actually comprehend what Phil Yaeger is saying.

FAR 66, 80
AUD 86
REG 76
BEC 74, 77 - DONE!!

Yaeger, Ninja MCQ for BEC
TX Candidate

[Kodiak]

@jle – Thanks for the good info; Crossfit sounds like something I'll definitely be looking into!

AUD - Pass
FAR - Pass
BEC - Pass
REG - Nov

[Anonymous]

Every night after work I go for a run- RIGHT AWAY so I can't put it off and use the excuse that it's “too late”

That way, I'm home by 6:30, got a full workout in, and can spend the rest of the night until bed studying for the exam. It's not the most exciting life, but luckily it's only temporary! I tried the home Jillian Michaels workout DVDs but I found that I feel better when I actually get out of the house to exercise so that I can take my mind off of my Gleim books for an hour.

If I was really motivated I could use the audio reviews while running, but I need fast paced music or else the run seems to drag on forever..

Also, http://www.myfitnesspal.com is a great website/App that I use to use to count calories (it takes 5 seconds). It helps to actually visualize the calories you are eating and find out where you need to cut back during the day.

[MintsRGood]

I love this thread!!!!!!!

@InterFC1 and @MrsBing I'm going to check out the “new rules” book as I would much rather lift heavier than do more reps! Quality is always better than quantity!!!! I've been using a stability ball at my desk for every other 25 minute pomodoro and have started jump roping on my long pomodoro break. I've been back on the workout train for the past 2 weeks and I'm already noticing a big difference in my energy level throughout the day. My ballet beautiful series has an hour long program but also has 15-20 different “workout blasts” which are 15-17 minutes segments that target an area or are cardio focused. I can stream the blasts from the site and watch on my ipad/iphone/laptop so they are portable, efficient, and challenging! We can all find 15 minutes somewhere in our day, so I've been sneaking in a blast on the long pomodoro break as well. I'm taking a 10 day trip to Florida around the 4th of July, so I don't want to be a fatty on the beach or sucking wind and panting rather than enjoying a beach stroll down the coast!!! 😉

@Denise That is an amazing weight loss success story, good for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are 100% right on in that by taking better care of yourself, you are better equipped to meet the day's challenges! Channel all that audit frustration into your workouts!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

@SMP73 You rock!!!! 🙂

Keep up the good work everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

REG: 75 DONE 🙂
AUD: 61, 71, 68, 92 DONE 🙂
BEC: 76 DONE 🙂
FAR: 72, 74, 79 DONE 🙂
Licensed Michigan CPA 🙂
-Some people dream of success...others wake up and work hard for it!!!
-The cowards never start and the weak die along the way!
-You better work, b***h!
-Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.-JFK

[DeniseFutureCPA]

Thanks Mints!!! And cheers to you as well! You sound very resourceful. I like your variety!!!

Lol, yes, I definitely have Audit frustration pent up. It definitely helps fuel my strength training 😉

"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!!!!! 🙂

[neika822]

Woke up at 5am this morning and spent ~40 minutes at the gym! Did some running, lunges, squats, light lifting and ab work! Now I have yoga at lunchtime. I'll be exhausted.

I can't wait until I'm done studying so I can hit the gym most mornings, instead of alternating.

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

[Anonymous]

I've been logging my food on myfitnesspal and despite my lack of exercise yesterday, I did not go over my calorie goals. 🙂

I felt guilty about not exercising all day yesterday. I didnt' wake up early enough to do anything this morning, but after work I plan on going on a 25min jog outside, take a shower, and then hitting the Becker FAR book with a vengence. We'll see if the jog will help me be more attentive for study time.

Happy Fit & Studying to you all!!

[Anonymous]

This is for us ladies 😉

https://gubernatrix.co.uk/2012/01/10-good-reasons-why-women-should-stay-away-from-weights/

[smp73]

So even though I am not studying and have more time than I know what to do with I had lost my “mojo” after everything happened back in April.

My workouts for the last month ish were very blah. Thanks to this thread I think I found it again and put in a killer workout last night. Just in time to start CIA studying.

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Mel]

I try to work out every weekday for about 30 minutes and try to get in more during the weekends. This month its Zumba and the 30-day ab challenge w/roller skating every other Sunday. I also throw in Yoga or Pilates when I don’t feel like doing Zumba or if I need a good stretch. As far as food goes i’m just trying to cut out eating out and trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies into my diet. I also use caloriecount.com to track everything.

I am mostly a home body so I have about 20 DVDs (some I haven’t even opened yet) to cycle through. I plan to cycle through them and some of the workouts from my fitness magazines each month. I also want to start using the Pomodoro technique when I study so I can exercise between breaks and attempt to stay awake. I keep stopping and starting with exercise but I’ve been doing well for the past few weeks and have lost 1 lb. My next weigh-in is this weekend with my FB Weightloss Motivators group that I started with my friends.

Glad to see I am not the only one working out and studying, I was starting to feel bad about keeping exercise plan.

[Author]

Replies