[Anonymous]

I don’t compete seriously, but I used to run 10k or 5k every now and then and some vertical run here and there to stay in shape. I enjoy playing several instruments throughout my life.

Now I am studying for the CPA exam and I am lacking motivation to stay in shape (weather can be a part of blame especially this year).

It seems everyone is very dedicated to be a CPA here on another71.com and I am a bit hesitant to ask this question…

Do you try to stay being who you used to be, and enjoy what you used to enjoy? If so, how?

I feel like I have to drop everything(events with family and friends) till I pass, but I feel blue that I lost passion to everything.

It’s like I am mourning.

Does anyone start something new to keep your sanity?

I feel very guilty of that idea but I couldn’t help asking.

Sorry for the rumbling. Any input will be appreciated 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your input.

I read all of your comments and decided to change thet way I utilize my time…starting today.

@dg3989

Today is the day one to create a schedule or a time table. I probably needed to do that sooner in order to put some time aside for everything else…I probably don't have to feel guilty playing music for 30 min nor workout for an hour. I'll see.

I have 2 kids, travel hockey and figure skating. Even without CPA exam, our weekend is pretty much spent on driving or sitting around. So I know what it's like to have so much on a plate.

@san4596

My nervousness set in yesterday when I saw a reminder for a Hancock center(100floors) run I registered back in Nov.

It always has been a popular event, the registration gets full within an hour the registration opens.

I forgot all about it, it was near my AUD exam(hasn't registered yet but I am planning on taking AUD in Apr).

It might be a good idea to getting back to the gym to train 3 times a week. I will incorporate the study tool during my workout session and see what happens.

You can nail it in 6 months. My journey has just started so it's gonna take a while to pass them all…

Good luck, you are almost there!

@acg5000

I feel exactly the same way!

I have 3 magazine subscriptions. Since I started studying for the exam, the latest issues are sitting on the coffee table and kitchen counter, not that I absolutely don't have time to read, but I feel extremely guilty if I read anything other than AUD textbook.

I used to watch my favorite TV programs weekly, but I stopped. Now I can't catch up with my friends' conversation. haha.

By the time I'm done with the exam, they will be waaaay outdated.

@bdbruinsma

We just put our gym membership in hibernation status 2 months ago…bad idea.

I was having a hard time focusing, you convinced me that my hiatus membership is the reason (not to blame it on my FAR fail).

I will get back to the gym since I am running up the Hancock Center in Apr. My gym finally have machines I can charge my iPhone while listening to the lectures, they have 2hr childcare for free, I just bought NINJA flashcard I can use while running.

@Study Monk

When we had a dog, I had a reason to take a walk everyday.

Last year she passed away, so I have no reason to walk around the house & my gym membership in hibernation status(much less due than regular membership)…bad idea.

I lost 5lbs. I was having a hard time shedding those lbs while being active, I think those 5lb are all muscle since muscle weighs more than fat. I will slowly get back to the light exercise since I feel weaker.

@F15hy

I started this journey thinking the same way you did. I can multitask, have-it-all kind of attitude. haha.

It takes a lot longer to swallow the material, and it's never over till I pass (in college it's over in 4months no matter what).

I know some friends who used to own race horses. I kinda know what it's like. Having a regular exercise along with exap preparation is tough.

You are right. This is not going to last forever. I have a definite goal for our family and I really need this. I tend to forget and feel like a victim that I am the only one struggling. I need to focus, focus, focus and keep remind myself why I started it in the first place.

@samdiegoCPA

That's a very interesting point that you started passing while working fulltime. Maybe the pressure and limited time to study made you focus more? Congrats!

I am not a youngster like you anymore(I feel like 85yrs old writing this), but having so many events during the holiday season(kids' school had fundraising, Christmas events, goodie bags for Halloween and Christmas, donation for charity I missed several deadlines).

I feel a lot better after rambling and get my thoughts together.

Seems like a lot of you guys are sitting for the exam this month. Good luck to you all!

[Anonymous]

@OP Great question, well by now I keep my part time job, so I have 4 full days to study and 3 to do whatever I want. I paid my GYM membership (even when with FAR I lost weight) but I feel not healthy so from next week I will re start my gym routine (3 days a week) and drinking more water. I will balance more my time.. hopefully coldness is more bearable!!

[Anonymous]

@OP Great question, well by now I keep my part time job, so I have 4 full days to study and 3 to do whatever I want. I paid my GYM membership (even when with FAR I lost weight) but I feel not healthy so from next week I will re start my gym routine (3 days a week) and drinking more water. I will balance more my time.. hopefully coldness is more bearable!!

[Anonymous]

@CPAhereIam

I realized that I, too, stopped working out (a family friendly but a bit far from my house)and my caffeine intake(=coffee) took over my water intake. Also I feel weaker.

Good that you are going to hit the gym again. It's cold and cloudy here in Chicagoland.

I think I need to get my membership back for the sake of my mental and physical health.

[Anonymous]

@CPAhereIam

I realized that I, too, stopped working out (a family friendly but a bit far from my house)and my caffeine intake(=coffee) took over my water intake. Also I feel weaker.

Good that you are going to hit the gym again. It's cold and cloudy here in Chicagoland.

I think I need to get my membership back for the sake of my mental and physical health.

[Kimboroni]

Very good question. I thought seriously about whether or not I should cut back on my exercise when I was studying for AUD (martial arts twice a week, other fitness classes like Zumba and weight training almost daily, salsa dancing once a week), but my Wiley books said to make sure to keep an established exercise regimen going, since it helps with dealing with stress. So I kept up with them as best as I could, and tried not to feel guilty about being at Zumba etc. when I could be studying. I suppose it all worked out alright in the end, and Wiley was right. I do think exercise really helps with brain function like others said.

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]

Very good question. I thought seriously about whether or not I should cut back on my exercise when I was studying for AUD (martial arts twice a week, other fitness classes like Zumba and weight training almost daily, salsa dancing once a week), but my Wiley books said to make sure to keep an established exercise regimen going, since it helps with dealing with stress. So I kept up with them as best as I could, and tried not to feel guilty about being at Zumba etc. when I could be studying. I suppose it all worked out alright in the end, and Wiley was right. I do think exercise really helps with brain function like others said.

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. 🙂

[mchinegunfunk]

beat_counter

First, I like that quote by Wanye Gretzky as well and apply it from time to time. Second, my grandfather once told me “A healthy body, produces a healthy mind” and encourage you to continue to stay active. Third, as you embark on this journey of studying there will be a lot of sacrifices that you have to make. Especially, when it comes time to making time for family and friends.

The hardest thing I had time adjusting to was finding time to study. Everyone has 24 hours each day and some people have more responsibilities than most (i.e. job, school, spouse, children, etc.) and finding the time will be difficult at first. However, as you maintain the course of studying it eventually becomes a habit. Which is what you want. You'll start to learn the concepts of what you're studying. Especially, if you take to hear the study tips Jeff recommends. Writing down the notes does help you retain information as oppose to just memorizing and going thru MC questions.

Lastly, as I mentioned previously “sacrifice” is the key. I do miss out on a lot of things and I keep reminding myself how much more I'll appreciate all the thing I'm putting on the back burner after I pass these exams. Keep in touch with family and friends as they'll likely become your support group and hopefully understand your sacrifice. For instance, hearing the words “I know you'll pass these exams” and unwavering support from my 81 year old grandmother renewed my spirits as I recently got a 74 in AUD.

These exams are no walk in the park as you may have read on this site. Nonetheless, this feat can be accomplished if you put the effort and time into it.

I wish you the best of luck!

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” ~ John Wooden

[mchinegunfunk]

beat_counter

First, I like that quote by Wanye Gretzky as well and apply it from time to time. Second, my grandfather once told me “A healthy body, produces a healthy mind” and encourage you to continue to stay active. Third, as you embark on this journey of studying there will be a lot of sacrifices that you have to make. Especially, when it comes time to making time for family and friends.

The hardest thing I had time adjusting to was finding time to study. Everyone has 24 hours each day and some people have more responsibilities than most (i.e. job, school, spouse, children, etc.) and finding the time will be difficult at first. However, as you maintain the course of studying it eventually becomes a habit. Which is what you want. You'll start to learn the concepts of what you're studying. Especially, if you take to hear the study tips Jeff recommends. Writing down the notes does help you retain information as oppose to just memorizing and going thru MC questions.

Lastly, as I mentioned previously “sacrifice” is the key. I do miss out on a lot of things and I keep reminding myself how much more I'll appreciate all the thing I'm putting on the back burner after I pass these exams. Keep in touch with family and friends as they'll likely become your support group and hopefully understand your sacrifice. For instance, hearing the words “I know you'll pass these exams” and unwavering support from my 81 year old grandmother renewed my spirits as I recently got a 74 in AUD.

These exams are no walk in the park as you may have read on this site. Nonetheless, this feat can be accomplished if you put the effort and time into it.

I wish you the best of luck!

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” ~ John Wooden

[Iron_Victory]

For my first AUD exam I did nothing and ate like crap.

For all my 2 other exams and the AUD retake I ate well and weight trained 6 days a week 1-2 hours a day and did quite well on them. I feel like it helps to be active and eating well.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Iron_Victory]

For my first AUD exam I did nothing and ate like crap.

For all my 2 other exams and the AUD retake I ate well and weight trained 6 days a week 1-2 hours a day and did quite well on them. I feel like it helps to be active and eating well.

AUD - (74),78
BEC - 85
FAR - 86
REG - 84

[Author]

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