[LawGuy]

How are you guys doing on staying healthy during the CPA study process? Between working full time and studying, I find it difficult to make it to the gym and/or eat healthy.

I can wake up early, exercise, go to work, study, and eat healthy for a while, but after a day or two of that I start to crave some kind of release. I’ve been finding myself in the McDonalds drive-thru more than I care to admit lately. I’ve always been a very health-conscious person, but I’ve noticed a decline in my overall health since I started studying. I am about halfway done with the study process now, and I want to improve things for the second half.

It seems like all my discipline goes towards powering through this exam material, and I don’t have much left over to stay healthy. How do you guys stay balanced?

[reallytired]

I will fully admit, I am right there with you. At the beginning of each new exam, I am incredibly health conscious and do a good job at keeping it up… for about a week. My (poorly thought out) logic is that I am at a point of life where I need to do whatever I can to keep myself happy and sane. So it is a balance. Am I craving a large pizza all to myself after a day of studying? Yep, go buy one. Am I stressed out from studying? Yep, go take the dogs for a walk around the block. Small balances are what keep me going.

This isn't really advice to stay healthy, so I apologize! But I think my big thing now is focusing on passing and then I will get back into the swing of things once it is all over.

B 10/29/16
A 10/1/16
R 9/2/16
F 7/26/16

[Anonymous]

I've always usually been around a good 175-180 lbs and would exercise 4+ days a week. Ever since I've been studying hardcore…starting earlier this year…I've been a solid 200-205 lbs and make it to the gym maybe 2-3 days if I'm in the mood. I don't really look any different or heavier, but I know once this exam process is over and I get back on a regular diet and “into shape” I will feel a lot better and more refreshed.

I have been drinking a lot of coffee (Triple Grande Caramel Latte w/whip cream and caramel drizzle 2-3 times a week) and will buy snacks/sugar/junk food to help give me a bit of a boost in the middle of my study sessions when I need. This has been the biggest factor in the weight increase.

And not to mention lack of sleep and social life. I must be getting old because I used to stay up easily til 2-3 AM in the morning to study or for anything, but I can hardly keep my eyes open past 12 AM anymore even to study. That's because I'm already burnt out from studying by that time of night anyway.

Anyway, despite all that, balance is key. I couldn't imagine not being physically active or finding ways to keep my sanity and balance during this process. I like to research space/technology/anthropology/metaphysics/and history/etc. a lot on the internet and will stream different shows or check out my favorite channels on youtube to “keep up with the times” lol. Taking this exam is literally like having to live in a cave for a while.

I didn't even get myself to go out and watch the Mayweather v McGregor fight last night and I used to love going out to watch the fights 😲

I could probably do better if I wanted to, but I figured I will give myself a break and let myself go for a while since I am not working either anyway. I could have been nicknamed Shaggy after letting the beard and the hair grow out 😂

Good thing is it's almost all over. Q3 score release I shall finally be FREE (hopefully)!

[9999]

I find it very hard to keep anything balanced during my study period and all I eat is junk foooood

[golfball7773]

From what I am reading, it sounds like junk food is a big issue. Can I suggest you get an Instant Pot? We use mine almost everyday. I can have full sweet potatoes done in 15ish minutes. I can have an awesome roast from frozen with potatoes done in about an hour and it shreds like it has been in the crockpot all day.

https://instantpot.com/

I also go to physical work like clean or garden in between my 30 to 45 minute study blocks

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Anonymous]

No use of substances – cigs, vape, weed, or anything with alcohol or drugs in it. And, avoidance of unhealthy foods, especially with high fat/cholesterol content. A wise Chinese man of long ago said that the secret to not aging rapidly was to “Avoid fried foods.” I believe it!! And I do!!

[Anonymous]

I'm right there with you and I think it's something we'll all struggle with to varying degrees. I've gained back all the weight I lost (30 lbs) before I got married, and the majority of it has been since I started studying. I tried to keep going to our gym at work 3 days a week during lunch, then I cut it back to 2, then it all went by the wayside once my first exam got close. Having that extra time during my workday to study is too valuable to give up. Getting back in the gym is one of the things I'm most looking forward to.

To balance – instead of going to the gym, I take a couple of quick walks during the day to at least get a little activity. In the evening I might do some squats, pushups, etc. that I can easily do at home for maybe 5 minutes. For snacks I try to eat a lot of fruit and nuts, because they are fast and keep me more full and prevent cravings. Instead of a super high calorie latte, get a skinny latte – only about 120 calories for a grande! I'm lucky in that I don't like sweet drinks, so I'll usually get a big unsweet flavored ice tea from the gas station to enjoy and keep me awake when I study (only 75 cents and basically no calories). I also found these ice cream bars that are only about 150 calories that I eat as a “reward” a lot of evenings when I finish studying. Having that to look forward to helps me not to snack while I'm studying

Unfortunately, I think 99% of us are going to let our health go to some degree during this process. The important thing is to do the things you can to stay healthy and not beat yourself up over the things you can't. Then just make sure to pick it right back up once you are done with this thing!

[Anonymous]

I'm going through all of the same crap mentioned – McDonalds, extra coffee/soda, candy to power through those last hours of studying, gaining 25+ pounds, worse sleep, anxiety/depression, lack of social life, etc. It truly
Sucks, but I'm willing to make the sacrifices because I'm in too deep to turn back.

Goodluck everyone and know u are not alone. Literally everything I read applies to me too.

[shawn in VA]

lots of XANAX (legally prescribed of course) to sleep better and study in a more relaxed state of mind.

Sodas

Exercise

[LawGuy]

It sounds like there is no realistic way for most people to work, study, and remain completely healthy throughout the exam process. This actually makes me feel better about it. I will just do what I can health-wise, but the primary objective remains passing this exam.

I think most of us will be able to quickly get back in shape after the exam process, once we put our minds to it. After all, it should be easy compared to this test.

[Anonymous]

I was on the struggle bus majorly the past 2 exams, however, I started cutting carbs/sugar and adding good fats into my diet for energy. I now prepare baked vegetables every Sunday & Wednesday, so they are there for me to zap in the microwave. I have eaten a million Morning Star Spice Black Bean Vegetable Burger Patties. haha! Add a avocado and my baked veggies and I'm good to go for lunch and dinner. We have a 2yo, so I usually steal some snacks from her side of the pantry (fruit cups, simply yogurt, fruit snacks, and apple sauce squeezes). I will also say being married & having a toddler keeps me more focused on taking the easy way out and eating the same thing over and over again. I don't like waste time cooking every night of the week. My toddler & husband eat a lot of fruits & veggies with me. My husband cooks the meats/proteins for the week or I'll throw about 6 chicken breasts or pork chops into the crockpot with seasoning. Once a week we will have a meal from drive thru or takeout. Walmart has grocery pickup in my area, so I can select my items online and pick them up at a certain time. I'm at Walmart no more than 10 mins. Sleep is another issue for me though….. I don't get much sleep, since I stay up studying late at night. Sorry for the ramblings, but those are my tips. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I'm on test #4 and have done a pretty good job up until the last few weeks. Today I had a bit of a breakdown and made chocolate chip cookies for lunch.

The best thing I have done is buy healthy pre-prepared food, like Snap Kitchen, or decently healthy frozen meals. I also eat very simply – sandwiches, yogurt, cereal, etc.

For me, working out is stress relief and the closer I get to the end, the more I need it. I am more focused and calmer after I've worked out. Plus if you use a cardio machine at the gym, you can get in some flashcard review time while you're doing it.

[M123]

I stopped exercising for the last two exams because I have a dog which requires daily walks anyway (that counts?) and was compressing two exams into two months. I felt like hell. Not recommended.

The best way to keep in “fighting” shape:

– Low carb or caveman diet (including/especially snacks)
– Kettlebell and/or elliptical and/or resistance band workouts – great maintenance in as little as 15 minutes. 3 days a week minimum.
– Sleep early, wake up early to study (my best formula)
– If need coffee to stay awake, iced cold brew coffee with some cream or milk. No Starbucks “vente triple macchiato with caramel”
– One weekend day is an “off” day – no prep anything.

[Anonymous]

Take long walks or go jogging/hardcore running, people. They will absolutely clear your mind and keep your heart healthy. And if you're stress-eating at McD's and KFC's, it'll burn those calories. Just don't overdo it on the running, because that will wear out your body fast if you do it a lot. I am fortunate to live in an area with a lot of hills and walking up and down them (2 miles) daily, when it's not too hot in the evenings here in L.A., is a tremendous help.

A word on anti-depressants – try to avoid them unless life is really kicking the crap out of you and you can't function. I used to take Zoloft, for 6 years. It did weird things to my body. Thankfully, I met someone and got into a relationship and suddenly I was really happy, and I got off of it. But after stopping it, I saw what my body was like before. It had a good number of side effects. I'd actually recommend finding a decent therapist to talk to, and not going the drug route. Go complain to them about how these exams are messing with your brain and making you into a sociopathic zombie haha! They're paid to listen to you blow off steam, so if your insurance covers it, do it! But, I suppose I am not a big fan of the drugs, having been down that road myself.

[Anonymous]

@Crazyleon

Lmao @ “Sociopathic Zombie!!” 😂😂😂

[Josh]

That's my plan this week, exercise! I believe physical health is kinda' homeopathic? The more I exercise, mainly speed-walking at work pretending I'm a waiter and just moving as fast as possible for my physical health, the more drive I have. I noticed that change allowed me to lose 5-10 pounds so far this year. I even bust my butt to keep up with my wife who's like half my size and my daughter who is still a report-able segment under us gaap? I got enough vices and bad habits without “recreational” drugs, but I have to stay on prescriptions until I pull myself out of major depression and diabetes somehow? My goal is to exceed my optimistic goals and deliver to others through service on a stage probably starting out in the back with keyboards until I gain some confidence and skill on other instruments. It's either music or security on the “weekends” for me. Is there some connection between service and optimism? Enough talk. It's time to hit the door and try to keep up with my dog while listening to audios and push myself to go from nights to days to be ready for Thursday a.m. I finally started using legal pads again, but where did I put my shihei?

[Author]

Replies