[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!

[smp73]

Thanks Mints!

It made the “I passed the CPA exam Ann Taylor Shopping Spree” that much better!

I think the hardest part is fitting it in to the crazy work/study schedule. Once you figure it out and stick to the schedule, just like with studying, you will see results! It took me FAR, AUD BEC and one REG try before I figured it out…but once I did it was fantastic. Luckily I was able to maintain and not gain while studying for the other exams. Granted I have a crazy health problem that pretty much forces me to work out or else I get really sick if I eat any food.

Seriously though any one can do it! 🙂

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[DeniseFutureCPA]

Good for you smp!!! I am still going through my process of trying to figure out what works best for me…. Gotta love that trial and error! 🙂

MrsBing – that sounds awesome!!!!

"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!!!!! 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hey DeniseFutureCPA: New Rules of Lifting for Women is a book. It first explains the reasoning and science behind the method of workouts implemented. Next it helps you determine how many macros (proteing, carbs, fats) you should be consuming given your specific level of activity, age, and current weight. Then it shows you the exact workouts step by step and has a healthy meal options for you to make at home.

There are 7 total stages and I'm on stage 4 and loving it!! I highly recommend it for any woman that 1) likes lifting or 2) is interested in lifting but hasn't as of yet.

[J]

@Women… don't be afraid to lift heavy either. You're not going to get all bulky and muscular unless you're on the juice!

[smp73]

@ CPA4birthdaypresent – I was thinking of getting that book myself. Nice to hear that someone else is using it and likes it! Might make a purchase and up the workouts now that I am not studying like a mad woman!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[10keyLeah]

@enterFC1 – you are absolutely right about lifting for women.

I love lifting! I've been working out regularly about six years now. I mainly did cardio and yoga 4x week for about 30-40 minutes when I first started out, but then I found lifting. I now do a mix of cardio/plyo and lifting 5x week for 50-60 minutes.

I've done p90x p90x2, TurboFire, insanity stuff, and got bored with those. Now I try to find workouts or moves from youtube. I go pretty intense these days, but I don't eat 100% clean either.

Exercise is definitely a great way to blow off some steam. I take a day off every week from studying and give myself a cheat day where I eat a little unhealthy stuff.

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

[Anonymous]

I guess this is as good a place as any to pose this question…

I just got an email from a former teammate from my gym's winter womens basketball league wanting me to play with them again in the summer…the league starts next week. I didn't play with them in the spring league because of busy season and studying.

I love basketball and I really want to play but I still have FAR (my LAST exam) to study for and take on the 15th of July. If I work really hard and focus during studying these next few weeks, I think I can feel comfortable with the material by the 15th of July.

I guess my question is, should I risk losing a whole day after work of studying for a summer basketball league at this point in my studying?

[littlenumberrobot]

Okay you all made me feel so guilty yesterday I went to the store and bought lots of health food! This place is starting to become like FB… peer pressure! JK Okay in all reality, I am highly anxious person, I cannot handle trying to get in exercise everyday AND study, I'd lose whatever marbles I have left. I also forgot to mention I do go see my friend once a week who is my personal trainer. SO I get 45 minutes a week of exercise and that's all I can afford right now.

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%

[jeff]

I highly recommend a cardio box or mma/bjj class.

For MMA/Jiu-Jitsu, you get a great workout that has some real world application too 🙂

I took up Taekwondo/MMA 2 years ago…a lot of fun.

AUD - 79
BEC - 80
FAR - 76
REG - 92

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS)
NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE | Another71

[10keyLeah]

@CPA4birthdaypresent – You don't sound too comfortable with losing that study time. Even though I love basketball too, I'm not sure I would risk it if I were in your position. FAR is your last exam. If you pass it, you can move on and play ball. On the other hand, if you think blowing off steam will help you focus and you will still be ready for the exam, then go for it.

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

[J]

@Jeff – Definitely agree. I used to do Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Excellent all-around workout; by the end of the class, you'll feel like you jumped into a swimming pool with your clothes on.

[Kodiak]

The connection of mind and body is so important and if you're not maintaining good physical health you're limiting your mental potential — which is so important while studying. I'm a firm believer that if you eat right and maintain a moderate level of exercise you'll be a happier, more productive person. The trick is finding something you like and pushing yourself. Just like we put in hundreds of hours into achieving the goal of passing a section you can take that same approach to physical goals as well. It feels just as rewarding.

I'm now in the best shape of my life since studying and feel great.

@InterFC1 – I started a lifting program a few months ago and the results have been great (AllPro's from BB.com). The core of the program is squats, bench, OH press, SL deadlifts, DB curls, calf raises. I used to be afraid of heavy compound lifts but now they're my favorite exercises. I saw huge strength gains the first few months but now they're starting to stagnate, which I believe is due to me not eating enough. I'm very lean and also gluten-free and am have trouble eating over 2k cals per day which is even below my BMR; although I make it a point to get over 125g of protein. Any tips, suggestions, or resources you'd recommend? The advice you listed earlier about focusing on core compound lifts (and not accessory ones) is dead on!

Great thread – I enjoy reading what everybody else does!

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

[DeniseFutureCPA]

I just want to reiterate that I'm loving this thread!!! I love hearing about everyone's workout routines, ideas, etc.

Keep strong, and power on!!!! 🙂

"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!!!!! 🙂

[Anonymous]

I'm very fortunate in that I have a gym available right at work. I typically go during my lunch break 4-5 days a week. Generally speaking, if I can make it to work, I have no excuse not to walk down two flights of stairs and work out.

I mostly lift free weights but I try to keep the rest between sets to a minimum to get my heart rate up.

Oh, and if anyone is into smoothies, here is a recipe that I have daily (I use a Vitamix blender; it's awesome and definitely worth the money):

2 cups fat free milk

1 apple (cored with skin)

1 Kiwi (skinned)

3-4 strawberries

1 lemon (skinned)

1 cup raw kale (must have a good blender otherwise you have nasty kale chunks)

2 cups frozen blueberries (no ice needed if you use these frozen)

Put in blender, mix, and enjoy.

3CPA

[nbad311]

I've never had a problem with exercising (bodypump classes and jogging are my go-to's) (seriously ladies, DO BODYPUMP) but the way I ate was the reason I never could change my body. So I started bringing my lunch to work last year and this (SLOWWWLY) changed my mindset about food and calories consumption. It jived nicely that I also started to study on my lunch break EVERY DAY at work after my 70 on REG. I started to become meticulous about measuring my meals (bought the food weight scale and everything), using the myfitnesspal and now fitbit apps on my phone and trying to incorporate more fruits/veggies into most meals. Between last summer and now, I have passed two exams and lost a solid 13-14 pounds, (and got married – which helped the weight loss but not my audit score!), which isn't a lot but I'm dang proud of it!

Getting physical is SUCH a nice break from studying IMO! I say do whatever fits with your schedule. A trip to the gym in the morning, jog after work, your favorite gym class… Studying stresses me out big time. Working out helps to alleviate the stress. I've toyed with the idea of qutting the gym and all other exercise cold turkey when I move on to FAR to be able to focus all my attention AND TIME to studying, but I just don't think I can do it. I'd physically and mentally feel really crappy, and I don't think it'd help my study mindset!

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

[Author]

Replies