Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Are you taxed?

I came across an interesting article from the FM Blog (Fitness Management), a site for health club owners and operators. It usually has an interesting take on health clubs and the like, of course.

The most recent issue was taxation of health club memberships. You can read the full article here, but I'll post some snippets:

"How can government justify taxing health club membership dues, and what are you doing to help put a stop to this? Especially at a time when the obesity epidemic is causing a national healthcare crisis! Federal officials have estimated that treating obesity-related illnesses costs about $93 billion a year, and that was from a report in 2004."

"Currently, 25 states (almost half) impose a tax on fitness center dues. (You can view a summary of these on IHRSA’s website.) Yet, in 2004, the IRS approved tax deductions for obese Americans for doctor-approved weight-loss expenses, which include stomach-stapling surgery, approved weight-loss drugs and nutritional counseling. What kind of a mixed message is this?"

"This issue should be at the top of the fitness industry’s list to nip in the bud before it’s too late. It’s time for every fitness facility operator to do their part in making a major impact on reversing the tax on fitness center dues."

I hadn't even thought of this before. Although, on another level, charging people to workout in the first place is somewhat absurd... (Yep, that's coming from a cPT!)

As for the December Journey, as I'm now calling this (I started a week early), it was going okay until after supper. Then, hunger set in and wouldn't leave, so I had some chips and a slice of pumpkin pie. Completely out of character for me, I'm more likely to have larger portions than I am to snack on junk. I quit that habit a long time ago. However, sometimes that monster still rears its ugly head. I said goodbye to it afterward (as I was STILL hungry even after the pie) and am going to stick to my menu for tomorrow. I'm going to have to keep an eye on myself- accountability a must! I may just have to re-start my priority list, no matter how much of a pain it was.

6 comments:

Brian said...

Love your blog. I just found it via Rob's blog with you'd posted on. I have a lotting of reading to catch up on here. I'll be adding a link to your blog in mine. Feel free to do the same if you wish:

http://plansareforfools.blogspot.com/

Rob Tucker said...

You're right - but it seems like the healthiest options are ALWAYS the most expensive. Look at fast food for example - the double cheeseburger at Mcdonalds is 99 cents.

The chicken sandwich?

$3.50.

Carrie said...

Rob,
I hadn't even thought of that- it's too true though!

Brian,
Thanks! I'll check out your blog!

Marcol said...

Is it really charging people to work out or to use the equipment that they work out on? I think the deal I have with my gym is a pretty decent one. I pay $19.99 a month and it includes showers, classes and whatever else I feel froggish enough to attend. I think I owe my body the $19.99 dont you?

Think of all the other ways americans spend their money in non-poductive ways. I mean video games etc...the least we can do is pay into our health. Plus lots of insurance companies are now paying a percentage of their members health club bill, that works too

Carrie said...

Marcol,
That's a good POV. Charging people to use the equipment, and to get professional services. Thank you for bringing me back from the brink of insanity. *grin*

Now, we just have to find some way to get people to stop thinking of exercise as a burden.. Oh yeah. I'm doing that already, aren't I?

Carrie said...

P.S. Personally, I'm all for the insurance companies giving steep discounts on premiums to those members who can prove they workout 3+ times per week...and not just reimbursement for having a gym membership.