[MustPass1988]

This is totally off topic but just wondering how everyone stays healthy while studying for the exam. It’s so tempting to just spend all of my free time devoted to studying and then crashing on the couch and watching TV when I can’t study any more but that’s definitely a fast way to get burned out and feel tired all the time. I’m a third of the way through studying for FAR (two chapters per week) while also working full time and I’m starting to feel a little overtired and burned out.

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[Anonymous]

Study in your workout gear. When you are starting to lose focus, get moving (treadmill, jumping jacks, whatever). This will refresh you. Then get back to studying (after a quick shower, if necessary.)

Don't buy junk food. Period. It is easy to justify “deserving” a couple of bowls of ice cream after a long study session. Easiest way to put on the FAR 15.

[Anonymous]

Study in your workout gear. When you are starting to lose focus, get moving (treadmill, jumping jacks, whatever). This will refresh you. Then get back to studying (after a quick shower, if necessary.)

Don't buy junk food. Period. It is easy to justify “deserving” a couple of bowls of ice cream after a long study session. Easiest way to put on the FAR 15.

[jhawkins1010]

You're not the only one. There is another thread about spreading waist lines while studying for the CPA exam. I had to get back into the gym. I'm not doing nearly as much as I usually do since I feel completely exhausted all of the time, but it has helped. I just do 30 minutes, maybe 3 times a week. Days that I'm doing the stair machine, I read my outlines. Complete multitasking.

I do like brian's suggesting of studying in workout clothes and doing some quick cardio when you feel beat. I might try that on when I study at home over the weekend. I would do it during my weeknight study sessions, but the people at the coffee shop I study at might look at me strange … lol

[jhawkins1010]

You're not the only one. There is another thread about spreading waist lines while studying for the CPA exam. I had to get back into the gym. I'm not doing nearly as much as I usually do since I feel completely exhausted all of the time, but it has helped. I just do 30 minutes, maybe 3 times a week. Days that I'm doing the stair machine, I read my outlines. Complete multitasking.

I do like brian's suggesting of studying in workout clothes and doing some quick cardio when you feel beat. I might try that on when I study at home over the weekend. I would do it during my weeknight study sessions, but the people at the coffee shop I study at might look at me strange … lol

[MustPass1988]

I think that exercising is the most important. Even if it's just taking my dog for a 20 minute walk, my head always feels more clear afterwards. It's so hard though because I always want to spend every extra minute I have studying and then turn into a zombie after and watch TV haha. I'm going to bring my gym clothes to work tomorrow and go on my lunch break and see if it helps a bit.

When I took my first section, I started taking a fish oil supplement and it was probably a placebo effect but I swear it helped me retain things more easily. Hey, whatever works, right? 🙂

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[MustPass1988]

I think that exercising is the most important. Even if it's just taking my dog for a 20 minute walk, my head always feels more clear afterwards. It's so hard though because I always want to spend every extra minute I have studying and then turn into a zombie after and watch TV haha. I'm going to bring my gym clothes to work tomorrow and go on my lunch break and see if it helps a bit.

When I took my first section, I started taking a fish oil supplement and it was probably a placebo effect but I swear it helped me retain things more easily. Hey, whatever works, right? 🙂

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[Anonymous]

I agree with brian11785. Don't buy junk food. I usually eat pretty healthy but if there's ice cream in my house, you better believe I'll be eating some when I'm done studying 🙂

What works for me is waking up at 5 30 am, study for an hour and then run for 30-45 minutes. Running helps me clear my head and it just makes me feel good!

[Anonymous]

I agree with brian11785. Don't buy junk food. I usually eat pretty healthy but if there's ice cream in my house, you better believe I'll be eating some when I'm done studying 🙂

What works for me is waking up at 5 30 am, study for an hour and then run for 30-45 minutes. Running helps me clear my head and it just makes me feel good!

[Study Monk]

I have free weights at my house and I basically do two sets of one exercise after some of my study sessions:

For example today was shoulder day:

Study 40 minutes

Dumbbell press: 2 sets

Study 40 minutes

Upright Rows: 2 sets

Study 40 minutes

Rear Delt Flys: 2 sets

I started not eating dinner after 4:00pm and having a couple glasses of green tea to keep me going. It was hard for a few days but I think I am getting used to it.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Study Monk]

I have free weights at my house and I basically do two sets of one exercise after some of my study sessions:

For example today was shoulder day:

Study 40 minutes

Dumbbell press: 2 sets

Study 40 minutes

Upright Rows: 2 sets

Study 40 minutes

Rear Delt Flys: 2 sets

I started not eating dinner after 4:00pm and having a couple glasses of green tea to keep me going. It was hard for a few days but I think I am getting used to it.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

I usually plan my week so I can workout Tuesday and Thursday nights (Saturday and Sunday workouts are easy to plan) and study Monday/Wednesday night, Tuesday/Thursday/Friday morning and top it off with a couple hours Saturday and Sunday. There's at least 20 hours without stretching myself too wide. Modest changes to the diet (easy on the carbs) and pack a few healthy snacks here and there, nothing crazy. I stay away from home when I need to study but I'm tired, at least I can somewhat guilt myself into studying and avoiding the couch.

Overall nothing major, just being aware of the pitfalls of certain choices. I lost almost 30lbs during busy season and didn't miss a workout so hopefully this can somewhat help.

[Anonymous]

I usually plan my week so I can workout Tuesday and Thursday nights (Saturday and Sunday workouts are easy to plan) and study Monday/Wednesday night, Tuesday/Thursday/Friday morning and top it off with a couple hours Saturday and Sunday. There's at least 20 hours without stretching myself too wide. Modest changes to the diet (easy on the carbs) and pack a few healthy snacks here and there, nothing crazy. I stay away from home when I need to study but I'm tired, at least I can somewhat guilt myself into studying and avoiding the couch.

Overall nothing major, just being aware of the pitfalls of certain choices. I lost almost 30lbs during busy season and didn't miss a workout so hopefully this can somewhat help.

[tomq04]

I keep recommending biking to work for those that live < say 10 miles away. Amazing exercise, feels great, gets the blood moving, and give you an opportunity to listen to ninja audio with earbuds + phone/mp3 player.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

I keep recommending biking to work for those that live < say 10 miles away. Amazing exercise, feels great, gets the blood moving, and give you an opportunity to listen to ninja audio with earbuds + phone/mp3 player.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[Anonymous]

Having healthy snacks nearby helps a lot. Cut veggies, fruits, or 94% fat-free popcorn are good choices.

Setting aside 30 minutes a day to exercise helps a lot also. Can you do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 at night?

[Author]

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