[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!

[J]

@InfernoOmni – Gains are off much more; lifts are off approximately 5%. It's all about the gains.

[DeniseFutureCPA]

You guys are CRACKING me up!!! 🙂

@ smp, best of luck to you!!! Congratulations on what will be your first 5k!!! I am starting on a Pooch to 5k program which is very similar to Couch to 5k.

@ InterFC1, I love deadlifts as well… so great for the hams/back of the legs, especially for women!

"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!!!!! 🙂

[smp73]

@Denise Thanks! I have done a few other races but always had someone run them with me. I will be going it alone!

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

Training for a half marathon post studying!

[Zaq]

Women who understand the importance of deadlifts always brings a tear to my eye.

It took me months to convince my girlfriend that weight lifting will not make her “muscly and super buff”.

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.

[Anonymous]

I think you guys would appreciate this…

I had what is called a “Non-scale victory” (NSV) a few weeks back…lemme tell ya the story…

I was at the gym in the AM before work…and because it's before work, I ain't got time to mess around in there…I'm straight to business…

Now, keep in mind I'm a 5'4.5″, 142lb (trying to get to 137lbs) 24yr old woman…and I saw these two middle aged men hovering around the weights I needed for a circuit I was about to do…I couldn't really tell which dumbbells they were going to EVENTUALLY grab, so after waiting another 30 secs. I went over and grabbed the 40lb. dumbbells…and just as I was grabbing for them, one of the men decides to try and grab them too…and I was like “Oh, I'm sorry, were you going to use these?” he responded “Oh…uh no. That's OK, you go ahead.”

I later hear him joking with one of his buddies saying “I can't handle this…I'm getting too old for this!”

After that circuit I grabbed the 45lb dumbbells and proceeded to accidentally puncture the ego of yet another middle age man…

my bad lol

[jeff]

FIT:

3 sets of Squats to get 3 mountain dews out of the mini fridge

Arm Curled 1 pound mountain dews until exhaustion

Post-workout protein: 6 peanut butter cups + 1/4 pound of Beef jerky

Study:

I finally got the NINJA Flashcards to work again and am uploading updates

[neika822]

@InterFC1 – I don't even know what deadlifts are… lmao!

I just worked my way up to the 10 pound weight for my little tricep exercise. Wooo! Hahaha…

Other than lunges, any other good exercises to tone thighs? I (along with every other woman on the planet, other than Gisele) just want my thighs to be lean! And abs too?

Tomorrow is my yoga-on-the-lawn day at lunch. I love yoga! I just read about a paddleboard yoga class ~40 min from me. You do yoga out in the ocean on a paddleboard! I think that sounds like the most amazing thing. I tried paddle boarding about 2 years ago, but I can't imagine keeping up my balance doing yoga on it.

My boyfriend and I want to try surfing lessons sometime next month, too. We're waiting for the ocean to warm up a bit. Should be interesting!

When I have more time, I'd like to add a pilates class to my weekly workout schedule.

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

[Zaq]

@CPA4birthdaypresent: LOL. That's awesome. I could use your advice!

I've explained to my girlfriend the importance of weight training to be included in her routine. And she says she understands, but I have a feeling she still doesn't believe me, lol. How do I go about explaining to her that lifting weights will help her reach her target goal of “toning up” and “shredding a few pounds” without becoming a muscle head?

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.

[Anonymous]

@ InfernoOmni:

I don't know your girlfriend…but you did say her goals were to 1) tone up and 2) shed a few pounds…which are my goals too.

It sort of “clicked” for me when I compared the bodies of women who mainly do cardio and those of women who do a combo of both weights and short,intense cardio…At that point it was simple…I want to look more like the women in the latter group!

I think it also has a lot to do with a woman's perspective of beauty…cuz hey, if a girl is going for that super model stick figure look, then by all means, run on that treadmill till your legs fall off!…but that's not the look I'm personally going for, and it doesn't sound like that's what your girlfriend wants either.

But if your girlfriend isn't into “healthy curves”, then maybe she should just do the cardio thing. It's a matter of taste, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

InterCF1-

if I could only choose one exercise to do, it would be squats.

I'm also a relatively tall guy (6'1″) so I know your pain. It's more difficult for the non-vertically challenged of us to perform deadlifts (or any exercise really, once you think about it) because we naturally have a longer ROM. Or at least that's my thought on the matter.

Im Looking forward to pulling 405 on the next day of heavy back exercises (Saturday). Actually, I look forward to every day of lifting now that I've finished up cutting.

And speaking of cutting/bulking, I'm slowly working back to maintenance caloric intake, bumping up 100 cals every 2 weeks. Normally I would just jump right back to maintenance cals, but idk what that even is because i cut for such a long time (6months) and to such a low level (intake was 1900, while also performing ~300 cals worth of cardio). My guess is ill hit maintenance right around 24-2500 cals.

[DeniseFutureCPA]

@ Neika – your workouts sound AMAZING! I would so love that!!!

@CPA4Birthday – I am so with you regarding the “healthy look” versus stick skinny. I used to LOVE going into the weight room, and going for the long bar or Smith machine…. As if to say, “that's right boys…. I'm here too!! And I am not intimidated!”

Jeff – that sounds like a great “workout” hehehe….

I so miss my gym membership… My loves were weights and kickboxing!!! Talk about great stress relievers!

I am still in the middle of trying to figure out what works best with a study schedule… AM versus PM workouts and then studying in the mix….

"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!!!!! 🙂

[DeniseFutureCPA]

Any thoughts on AM versus PM workouts? That is, with CPA exam studying…..

"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]

AM works best for me because it gives me energy for work. It's hard enough to bring myself to study after work, let alone workout AND study. Also, there's just not enough time to get a quality workout and study session in if I try and cram in both after work. One of them is going to suffer and I don't want that.

I have heard of others on this thread say that cardio before studying helps them focus more come study time…I've tried that, and it's just not for me.

[UCFCPA]

As for females doing weightlifting:

I'm a female, and my husband finally convinced me of the importance of weightlifting earlier this year. I used to mainly run (5ks, some longer races up to a half) with the occasional spin class or swim class… but this January I really started focusing on weightlifting.

I will say that if losing weight is your goal, you probably shouldn't start a heavy lifting routine. I've gained 20 lbs since I started in January… which doesn't look bad because it's muscle, but if the number is your only goal it's not going to make you happy. I have made significant gains in my weightlifting ability though! I do deadlifts, squats, row, overhead press, bench press, and pull ups. The only other problem is the expense of having to buy new clothes now too. My arms no longer fit in regular female suit jackets/ button-downs that still fit perfectly at the waist…. and the new pants for my new legs.

But overall it's worth it! I actually enjoy a good weightlifting session at the gym. I look forward to it a lot more than I do when I have to force myself to go for a run. And it's practical for every day activities too. I was actually able to hold my own helping my husband carry a 200 lb piece of furniture upstairs last week.

REG (8/7/12) 77
FAR (10/4/12) 70 Retake 5/25/13 84!!!!!!!!!
AUD (11/2/12) 78
BEC (11/30/12) 82

[neika822]

I love morning workouts! I've read various benefits online to working out in the morning, but I'm not sure if they're true or not. But either way, it works best for me. There's no one at my gym at 5-6am and I already get it over with. No dreading going to the gym after work! No food in your stomach to feel gross with. I'd also have to worry about washing my makeup off after work before I go to the gym and then showering AGAIN after the gym. The logistics just don't work for me 🙂

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]

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