[Anonymous]

I’ve got 2 exams left and 8 months to pass them. For the past month though I’ve been battling a stomach ulcer that was partially due to stress. Although I haven’t felt stressed, it’s obvious that my body felt otherwise. I’ve taken a break from studying to allow my body and mind to rest and get healthy again. What are your tips for staying healthy while studying for the exam?

I work full-time (leave 7am and get back home between 4&5), but need to find time to balance work, working out and passing these last two exams! I’m used to spending at least an hour at the gym everyday, but don’t know if that schedule is really manageable with everything else going on. TIPS PLEASE!

[taxgeek83]

Don't fall into the fast food trap – it's so easy to get complacent, and make “busy” excuses, but I find that if I take the time to cook a full, balanced meal – even if I'm living on leftovers for three days – I feel so much better than when I'm living on Taco Bell!! If you're a snacker, keep healthy fruits/veggies/cheeses/etc. around instead of chips/cookies/candy. I definitely notice a difference in energy level and overall “feel goodness” when I'm not eating processed food all the time. 🙂

As far as physical activity – that's a tough one. I allow myself afternoon hikes, or half day hikes on the weekends. I also have a class I take twice a week, and am trying to get back into running/training mode again, even if it's just a few miles here and there. Most of that usually goes by the wayside when I'm into my last week or two before an exam though….

[taxgeek83]

Don't fall into the fast food trap – it's so easy to get complacent, and make “busy” excuses, but I find that if I take the time to cook a full, balanced meal – even if I'm living on leftovers for three days – I feel so much better than when I'm living on Taco Bell!! If you're a snacker, keep healthy fruits/veggies/cheeses/etc. around instead of chips/cookies/candy. I definitely notice a difference in energy level and overall “feel goodness” when I'm not eating processed food all the time. 🙂

As far as physical activity – that's a tough one. I allow myself afternoon hikes, or half day hikes on the weekends. I also have a class I take twice a week, and am trying to get back into running/training mode again, even if it's just a few miles here and there. Most of that usually goes by the wayside when I'm into my last week or two before an exam though….

[005]

impossible for me 🙁

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[005]

impossible for me 🙁

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[zieba]

Screw that. If you live in a large urban area hikes aren't that easy at the end of a long day with a crazy commute.

Look, your fitness will suffer. Take the hit. However, for every sluggish pound you feel yourself putting on, decide to study that much harder and get it out of the way. My journey was a long one. Just recently, as my practice exams climbed into the high 80's I started to ride my bike more and more. My exam is on the 27th, end of that week I'm riding 30,50,70 mile rides with a buddy. IMO, take the hit, eat some baby carrots along the way, drown in coffee… and move on once the exam is done. You'll be able to spring back to your glory days relatively quickly.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[zieba]

Screw that. If you live in a large urban area hikes aren't that easy at the end of a long day with a crazy commute.

Look, your fitness will suffer. Take the hit. However, for every sluggish pound you feel yourself putting on, decide to study that much harder and get it out of the way. My journey was a long one. Just recently, as my practice exams climbed into the high 80's I started to ride my bike more and more. My exam is on the 27th, end of that week I'm riding 30,50,70 mile rides with a buddy. IMO, take the hit, eat some baby carrots along the way, drown in coffee… and move on once the exam is done. You'll be able to spring back to your glory days relatively quickly.

AUD - 75*, 88 done 5/14! (*exp)
BEC - 74 , 77
REG - 65 , 76 (10 point combooo!!)
FAR - 69 , 75

Dr: perseverance
Dr: intelligence
Dr: luck
. Cr: . advisory score

[Anonymous]

@CPAcoug , I'm in the same boat as you. I feel I can't let the exams drag anymore.

I feel it's more efficient to study when I work out for an hour or so every other day. But I don't workout for the last two weeks before exam. Working out everyday for an hour is not feasible to me.

[Anonymous]

@CPAcoug , I'm in the same boat as you. I feel I can't let the exams drag anymore.

I feel it's more efficient to study when I work out for an hour or so every other day. But I don't workout for the last two weeks before exam. Working out everyday for an hour is not feasible to me.

[fuzyfro89]

I would “optimize” eating healthy/exercising vs studying.

In an ideal situation, you would still be able to work out every day for an hour and cook your own meals almost all the time, but the fact is the exam + personal life gets in the way. I would go to a 3x/week exercise schedule. It keeps your mind fresh, and your body/mind relatively de-stressed, but it is more efficient than going to the gym every single day. Or, maybe some quick workout in your home (30 sit ups, 30 pushups, 100 squats/lunges, jump rope, pull ups, etc) 3x/week and gym 2x/week? You can exercise without equipment, you just have to get creative and adjust to your new studying needs.

Personally, while studying, I end up letting things go a bit, but then I start feeling lousy and the stress starts to build. Once it affects my studying/retention, I know something needs to change.

Question for you, how little could you exercise/eat healthy before you start feeling the impact on your stress levels/studying?

[fuzyfro89]

I would “optimize” eating healthy/exercising vs studying.

In an ideal situation, you would still be able to work out every day for an hour and cook your own meals almost all the time, but the fact is the exam + personal life gets in the way. I would go to a 3x/week exercise schedule. It keeps your mind fresh, and your body/mind relatively de-stressed, but it is more efficient than going to the gym every single day. Or, maybe some quick workout in your home (30 sit ups, 30 pushups, 100 squats/lunges, jump rope, pull ups, etc) 3x/week and gym 2x/week? You can exercise without equipment, you just have to get creative and adjust to your new studying needs.

Personally, while studying, I end up letting things go a bit, but then I start feeling lousy and the stress starts to build. Once it affects my studying/retention, I know something needs to change.

Question for you, how little could you exercise/eat healthy before you start feeling the impact on your stress levels/studying?

[san4596]

I am a family man with 2 children, and here is my weekly schedule:

Mon-Fri: Gym @ 5am – 1hr cardio and strength training (Yes I said 5am), Work = 8-5, Study = 1hr for lunch & 8pm-9:30pm(2.5 hrs)

Quick Lunch: I have a blender in the lunch room, and make a smoothy almost every day. PB Banana=1tbsp PB, 1 Banana, 8oz Almond/Soy Milk that is less than 400 calories and very filling.

Sat-Sun: Study = 4hrs both days, Physical Activity = Yard work totaling about 4hrs

Last week before test, I take a week off from the gym, and use the morning gym time to study instead. This allows your body to fully heal, and gives you some additional study time.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[san4596]

I am a family man with 2 children, and here is my weekly schedule:

Mon-Fri: Gym @ 5am – 1hr cardio and strength training (Yes I said 5am), Work = 8-5, Study = 1hr for lunch & 8pm-9:30pm(2.5 hrs)

Quick Lunch: I have a blender in the lunch room, and make a smoothy almost every day. PB Banana=1tbsp PB, 1 Banana, 8oz Almond/Soy Milk that is less than 400 calories and very filling.

Sat-Sun: Study = 4hrs both days, Physical Activity = Yard work totaling about 4hrs

Last week before test, I take a week off from the gym, and use the morning gym time to study instead. This allows your body to fully heal, and gives you some additional study time.

CPA EXAM: DONE!!!!
Ethics Course: Passed
Application Mailed: 3/16/15
Professional Conduct Exam: 97
Certification Date: 4/2/15!!!

[Kimboroni]

It is hard work, but taking just a little extra time to eat well and exercise will help your brain perform so much better when you are studying. I get as many pre-prepared healthier snack foods as I can, like baby carrots, sugar snap peas, salad mix, etc. Costco has these great packages of pre-sliced apples. I try to do half an hour of strength training 3 times a week to keep from losing muscle, and I go to classes like Zumba 3-4 times a week since they provide a great release both physically and mentally. Really important for keeping on top of things.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[Kimboroni]

It is hard work, but taking just a little extra time to eat well and exercise will help your brain perform so much better when you are studying. I get as many pre-prepared healthier snack foods as I can, like baby carrots, sugar snap peas, salad mix, etc. Costco has these great packages of pre-sliced apples. I try to do half an hour of strength training 3 times a week to keep from losing muscle, and I go to classes like Zumba 3-4 times a week since they provide a great release both physically and mentally. Really important for keeping on top of things.

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[nicole2035]

i can't eat fast food bc it literally makes me sick to my stomach, best thing I started doing was ‘juicing'. Freeze the fruit a head of time so you can buy in bulk and won't need ice. I freeze bananas and strawberries, but you can literally do the same thing for any fruit. All i really need is protein powder and soy milk. I usually add kale and spinach (you can get a family bag of these 2 mixed for ~3.00)The protein powder is optional, but it's more filling. Some people use silk tofu, which i heard is a pretty good substitute. I make sure I eat calorie dense foods, like peanut butter or avocados because they're filling, ready instantly, and good for you. Of course I limit how much of it I eat. I know all this sounds super healthy, but the stress from the test actually makes me not want to eat, that's why it's easy for me to eat the healthy stuff over bad bc either way i don't have an appetite. Eat just to have calories and energy.

i make sure i always do something to keep stress at bay, which is tough. i would literally wake up stressed before my day started. Every morning i go for a run on the treadmill at my apartment's gym for only about 15 minutes, i do this usually at about 5am, and do some yoga poses then start studying for at least an hour, later go to work. I do this daily and it's better than nothing. You have to do something realistic, going to the gym and doing cardio and weight training just won't fit everyday with studying being #1 priority

[Author]

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