[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!

[meli083]

I workout right after work at the gym then go study. Cardio (mostly running) takes a prominent role in my workouts. I find this gives me a noticeable boost of energy and is perfect for studying right after.

As for eating habits, I make my own lunches in the morning as well as take multi-vitamins and fish oil capsules. I stay away from fast food as well. The lunches I make are not only healthier but also much cheaper than a fast food meal. I don't understand the epidemic of people eating fast food, even knowing its (many) harmful effects but to each his/her own.

AUD: 2/28/2013 - 86
FAR: 10/19/2013 - 83
REG: 1/6/2014 - 80
BEC: 2/27/2014 - 81

[ParanoidAndroid]

@CPA4birthdaypresent..nope…..You actually don't need any sort of equipment to stay fit..You can do push ups, crunches, jumping backs, squats, leg lifts, planks (this is excellent), and so many others…These should be all performed during a single session nonstop (with a short 2 minute break once you get tired). If you really want to do this better, you can purchase a push-up bar for about $30 and an ab rocket for about $80 at Wal-Mart. I mean passing the CPA exam requires a lot of discipline, not just 30 mins-1hr a day, so I don't see any reason of accountants to be obese and having cholesterol problems even if they are the CFOs of ExxonMobile or Wal-Mart….LOL =P

CPA for life...

[neika822]

If I could eat Panera everyday for lunch, for the rest of my life, I so would. I'd also weigh 100 pounds more. 🙁

I temped at a college last year and it was right next to a PF Chang's. At least once a week, I'd get a takeout lunch from there, and I gained weight. At my current job, we have no other options really. A Boloco just opened up, but it's a good 20 minute walk away. I've lost about 7 pounds just being here. All we have are pre-made sandwiches on campus. Or I bring a Healthy Choice. Although, lately I've been raiding the vending machine like it's nobody's business, so maybe I'm relapsing.

Except for the summers, we have an hour for lunch, so I used to spend a majority of that by taking a walk. Now I just study 🙁

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

[MrsBing]

I wish I was fit and studying. I decided to get pregnant this year and take the exams and didn't realize how tired the pregnancy would make me on top of studying and working. Before I got pregnant I would work out 5 days a week either running or zumba and weights. I loved running and was training for a 10k. This pregnancy is not what I thought it would be, I wake up to pee every few hours so I'm tired all the time and I have to study, so when I get home from work exercising is the last thing I want to do. I use to work out in the morning which I prefer, but I just can't get out of bed a minute before I have to for work.

I'm not going to worry about eating healthy because this is the only time in my life where I'm able to eat what I want and not care about staying in shape and I'm loving it. 🙂 I know once the pregnancy is over I'll lose the weight quick and go back to being healthy. I'm going to try to fit in some exercise. My goal is 3-4 days a week, even if it's just for 15 mintues, just have to figure out the right time.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[Anonymous]

I do an hour of cardio four days a week. And to show how sad my life is: I type up or hand write a page of notes on stuff I need to learn and put it in front of me on the gauntlet or the elliptical. Having a conversation in your head for a full hour about pretty much anything will help it stick… But at least I get my workouts in!

The only thing that saves me on the eating front is not really keeping anything bad in the house. Wine though is an evening curse. I wish someone would sneak in and steal all my malbec becuse otherwise whatever I do after that first glass I have to REdo the next day to be sure I really got it.

[peetree]

After every 10 multiple choice questions I get right, I do 20 pushups. It helps break up those huge banks of questions and also allows me to get that blood flowing.

I also make sure I get a 3 mile run at the least every day to every other day.

Passing the CPA exam is great and all, but I won't let my health suffer for it. I'd rather go run than watch an extra half hour of some crap on TV

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Anonymous]

Funny you say that Peetree…I was actually thinking of doing the reverse…every X amount of MCQs I get WRONG, I'd do 5 push ups. hahaha…I'm not very good at normal/non-girly push ups, so I'm thinking this will be good motivation to make the information stick….

so at least at the end of the day 1 of 2 things is accomplished: I'm either going to remember the information or be really good at push ups by the time this is all over and done with. 🙂

[peetree]

oooo, maybe I should switch to questions wrong!

But then I wouldn't be doing any pushups……..HA! /s

realistically, I wouldn't stop doing push ups.

FAR 02/21/13 - 95
REG 07/02/13 - 87
AUD 08/02/13 - 94
BEC 08/30/13 - 85
Ethics Exam - 90

Illinois candidate awaiting his license

Used Becker Self Study | Ninja Audio | Becker Flash Cards | Ninja Notes | Wiley Test Bank

[Anonymous]

hahaha oooooo good one Peetree…I'll take the more humble approach 😉 and wager that I'll soon be able to do 100 consecutive push ups with ease.

[MintsRGood]

So after putting on the CPA exam requisite 10 pounds from sedentary living, I decided about 2 weeks ago that I have had enough and I needed to MAKE time for 30 minutes of exercise daily!!! I work crazy hours just like everyone else but I am sick and tired of feeling like crap! I changed my hours at work to 7:30-4 so I have time to get home before traffic gets nuts, punch 30 minutes on the workout clock, and still put in quality study time before my husband comes home from work! After we have dinner it's back to studying but I can do so guilt free about working out. I'm loving the quiet time at work in the morning before everyone else shows up, it's a win/win!

I like Jillian Michaels 30 day shred when I need a hardcore/intense workout and I do Ballet Beautiful (ballet/Pilates/toning fusion, google it because it rocks!!!!) when I want something a bit more calm. I do love how nuts Jillian is and that she screams at you throughout the entire workout!!! My favorite is when she barks at you during the “jumping jacks til you puke” segment that if 400 pound people can do these, so can you!!!! I hate it when she's right!!!! 😉

@SMP73 you are a rockstar, I've never heard of anyone LOSING weight during CPA prep!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE it!!!!!

Keep it up 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

[J]

A) Lifting is so much more important than the CPA. 🙂

B) For those of you out there who are lifters and need to get an efficient yet hard workout (that will serve for your cardio as well), stick to the Big 5: Bench Press, Deadlifts, Military Press, Squats, Barbell Curls. Don't worry about those peripheral sculpting exercises; you can take care of those when you're finished with the exam. These basic five exercises will keep you in shape and add some muscle mass as well.

After a proper warm-up, do the aforementioned lifts (I do them in that order; you can pick the order that best fits you) with 45 seconds to a minute rest between lifts (this is kind of like a super-super set). After you're finished with the fifth lift, take a 2-3 minute break and then start again. Increase the weight and drop the reps as you move to the last couple of sets. Do 4-5 sets; you'll be done in approximately an hour.

For example, a typical set is as follows:

Bench Press 10×235

Rest 45 seconds

Deadlifts 10×315

Rest 45 seconds

Military Press 10×155

Rest 45 seconds

Squats 10×245

Rest 45 seconds

Barbell Curl 10×115

Rest 2-3 seconds, then reset.

You'll be suffering midway through the second set. Adjust weights accordingly. Good luck to all.

[LSNYC]

Great thread!!!

I hate exercise! HATE IT, i don't know what i hate more working out or studying….. But i have been trying to take 2-3 gym classes a week it helps break it up and I know I need to do something. I also am doing the 30 day crunch challenge I hung it up next to my computer where i study so i have to do it!

I also have instituted a new ‘snack' plan. I am calling it a life style change a not a diet. We have lots of free snacks at my office so i cut them all out, and have replaced them with fruit, and other snacks I am making. I have made granola, date bites, tomorrow I am making cookie dough dip (its really humus), and i am going to try to make granola bars soon. Plus trying to make healthy dinners.

Happy studying and staying healthy!

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[Anonymous]

@ InterFCI:

The New Rules of Lifting for Women plan I am on incorporates all of these at some point within the 3 out of 7 stages I've completed thus far. I finish each workout in about an hour.

Your Big 5 super super set sounds super intense lol I am worried I won't have a lifting plan in place when I'm done with my current one…sounds like the Big 5 would be a good substitute until I find another one.

@ LSNYC: oh…my…GOODNESS GRACIOUS…why oh why do companies “treat us” to all these free “snacks”???? My firm has free coffee and iced coffee during warm months, free bagels and free gigantic muffins (standard variety of both), as well as free use of the espresso machine, free English muffins (white and whole wheat), oh yeah…and then there's the free seasonal fruit lol

It's kinda absurd. I can totally relate to having to swear off free office snacks and packing my own : ( Fage 0% greek yogurt with a touch of honey has been a waist saver these days!

Kudos to you for baking/cooking your own!!

[DeniseFutureCPA]

@ InterFC1 – my favorite are deadliest and good mornings!

@ CPA4bdaypresent – I would love to know where you found your routine. I love weights!

"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!!!!! 🙂

[MrsBing]

The New rules of lifting is a great program. I really liked the phase one; went from doing modified push ups to real push ups and now that's all I do…no girlie push ups for me:). I didn't like the later stages, it added too much complicated lifting and I didn't like to have to learn new techniques over again, I wanted simple. I switch to a 5×5 program, combining StrongLifts and Starting Strenght, which is Squats, Bench Press, Deadlifts, Presses (either Military or Upright) and Powercleans. I'll go back to this program after my pregnancy.

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, and Ninja 10 Point Combo!

FAR: 89
REG: 87
AUD: 92
BEC: 75
Ethics: 90

Licensed Arizona CPA

[Author]

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