[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]

@neika…congrats on your run! Sounds like you are making a lot of progress. My sleep has been a mess for the last nearly three months. I have a Fitbit one that tracks sleep too. I wake up on average 15 times a night. No wonder I am always tired. Last night was better which was a pleasant surprise.

Fit: Gym night last night. Biked and worked on my mile time…down to 7:55 mile. I can not sustain that pace over distance but my pace over distance is getting faster too! Also did squats, planks and an arm workout. Lost another two pounds, have noticed some slight definition in my arms and clothes are fitting better. This thread was just the kick in the butt I needed to get back in my workout groove!

Study: Studied at lunch yesterday and then for a few hours at home after the gym. I am considering getting the Wiley TB for the CIA exam. It is fairly pricey (Jeff can you get me a discount) but I absolutely do not want to have to take it again and I know it was a difference maker for the CPA. I would much rather be over prepared than under prepared.

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[DeniseFutureCPA]

Neika & smp – Congrats on your fitness progress!!! That's awesome!!!

@ smp – CIA = Certified Internal Auditor? Wishing you the very best of luck on it. With the CPA designation already under your belt, you are sure to be unstoppable!!

FIT: day off

STUDY: day off

I'm having one of those “life gets in the way” days. Ugh. Tomorrow will be better…. 🙂

"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]

@smp – what's fitbit??? Sounds interesting! I saw on the apple store online that they have these wristbands that can track your activity, and some even track your sleep, so maybe that's similar? I really need to get an arm strap to hold my iPhone. But I might look into these bracelets instead… Also – congrats on the pace! You can definitely do it 🙂

@Denise – I hope your day gets better! I hope the time off from studying and working out will help you out!

I haven't checked my weight since April, but I am seeing definition in my quads, finally… I need to kickstart some ab and quad work soon. I'll be ready for bathing suit season… in December 🙂

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]

neika822 What are you doing to achieve the definition in your quads?? (my quads are in need of some definition)

[neika822]

@CPA – I've mainly been running, and I saw this “15 minute leg workout” online and it HURTS:

20 Squats

30 Lunges

40 Calf raises

50 second wall squat (this gets me)

100 Jumping jacks (this also gets me winded)

50 second wall squat

40 Sumo squats

30 Leg raises

20 squats.

Sometimes, I'm too lazy to do the leg raises, because I have to pull out the yoga mats in the gym… Lame excuse. I'd say the wall squats and lunges really get my quads burning!

I'm not seeing a TON of definition, but I think if I keep up with the running and variations of that workout, they'll improve!

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

[That_Oher_Guy]

Most of my week has become work, gym, study, and sleep. I'm happy to see that with my schedule, I actually have probably been able to do more gym time than I did at college. However, my life is very boring at this point aside from some weekends. I keep saying to think how well things will be in a year.

My diet isn't top notch but I'd say its healthy. I take fish oil, protein shakes, fruit, cottage cheese and chicken. All fairly good food.

[smp73]

@neika..the fitbit is the most amazing little piece of technology ever! 🙂 It has been instrumental in losing the last ten pounds I lost. There are different versions but they all track your steps, calories burned and the fitbit one tracks sleep too. The average person only takes 5000 steps a day. I have a daily goal of 11,000. I upped it from 10,000 and have only missed the goal twice (during the week of my fathers funeral). It is a great quiet motivator to get up and get moving! It syncs with your phone and tells you steps, calories, miles etc. You can also record your weight, track your water consumption and food consumption. I really love it. So far today I am at 6,053 steps and have a run planned tonight. You can get them at Target, Bestbuy, or on Amazon or from the Apple store. Well worth the investment if you need a little motivation to get moving!

@Denise yes…certified internal auditor. My job is paying for it and I work in Internal Audit so I figure the combination of MBA/CPA/CIA will be a good one. I also have my eyes on the CFE one day! Nothing like ambition.

Oh…I have mentioned that I have a crazy defective digestive system and stick to mostly liquids. I rediscovered a high protein, organic gluten free meal replacement shake. I have to say drinking that for at least one meal a day has left me feeling tremendously better health wise! Yay! I do miss chewing food sometimes but I will take that over feeling icky!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[DeniseFutureCPA]

I want to get a fitbit! 🙂 Thanks smp!!!

"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!!!!! 🙂

[OtherGuy]

I wish studying for the CPA was as easy as staying in shape. =(

Passed all sections.

[neika822]

@OtherGuy – I NEVER worked out before. But 3 months ago I started to, probably because I didn't want to study. And now, I'd rather go run a mile than sit down and study, so it's funny you should say that. I'm honestly planning things out in the future, “oh, let's go rock climbing Saturday; let's go for a run on the beach Sunday!; let's buy a kayak and go kayaking everyday!” Haha… And then I remind myself that, no, I don't have the time for all of this because I need to study. Womp womp.

I want to jump on the fitbit bandwagon!

@smp – I don't think I'd survive on an all-liquid diet, so kudos to you! Is the new protein shake good for an after-workout meal? Maybe instead of breakfast?

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

[jeff]

This article is trending re: Diet Drinks

https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/10/diet-soda-may-do-more-harm-than-good/?hpt=hp_inthenews

[neika822]

@Jeff – I'm glad I hate the taste of diet soda. I've basically removed all soda from my diet. I grew up drinking a coke nearly everyday. Now, I'll have it on rare occasions. Definitely less than once a month! My mom has about 2-3 cans of diet coke a day… I have told her time and time again that it's just not good!!

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

[smp73]

@neika it is called Orgain. They have a lot of different flavors. I will admit it took some getting used to the taste but I like it now. The bottle says it is good for post workout replenishment, sustained energy and antioxidant boost, weight management, busy lifestyles. I can drink it for a meal and be fine but I am also used to smaller/liquid meals. I can do some solid foods but overall I am a much happier person if I am on a primarily liquid diet. 🙂

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Zaq]

I feel bad for not hitting the gym as much as I'd like, BUT… my new diet has been going really well!

Quick backstory: My last job was in DC. Literally right next to a park that had about 15ish food trucks that would would recycle itself every day. And they were DELICIOUS. I wanted to make my own lunch to save money, etc., but the temptation was too strong so I binged on a lot of food trucks for about a year. To make matters worse, our job kept our refridgerator stocked with Coke. Free Coke. Free Coke + job that requires caffeine = bad combination.

Anyway, with my new job I've fully transitioned into eating the same thing every breakfast and lunch. Breakfast = oatmeal and small cup of coffee. Lunch = pre-made salad that has a lot of veggies, small amounts of cooked grilled chicken, and lemon/vinegar as dressing. I go to the store on Sunday and make a HUGE batch and just portion it over 5 days.

Been sticking with that diet for 2 months now and I feel great.

FAR: 50, 76!
REG: 74... (ouch baby, very ouch), 76!
AUD: 65, 91!?
BEC: 80! Aaaand doneskies!

May 2012 to August 2013. Can't believe it's over.

[neika822]

That's great, @Inferno! I had the same issue at my old job(s). I either had a PF Chang's right next door that I'd hit up way too much, or I'd be ordering the worst thing possible from our cafeteria.

I work at a college now, and the only options we really have on campus are pre-made cold sandwiches. During the year, they have a cafe open, but I'll stick to sandwiches with them, too. The closest fast food is Boloco, which is a good 15 minute walk away. It really makes a HUGE difference. I dropped about 7 pounds just switching jobs, and I didn't even realize what I was doing. I need to get in the habit of making lunch, to save $.

@smp – I think I'm the person that NEEDS meals, but I've been thinking of doing a protein smoothie for breakfast instead of a bowl of cereal. Or maybe a little of each. We'll see!

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

[Author]

Replies