The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
If people could get away with being in the best physical shape without working out, they would. Of course if that was reality, there would be no need for a weight room or exercise equipment in your home. Imagine being the perfect specimen. It's a creepy cult-like thought. People have several motivating factors for working out and shaping their body in the best condition it can be in. In Wednesday's paper I wrote a story about a Curves franchise in Nova Scotia being joined by the one here and others across the country to try and make gym passes income tax deductible. The intention is to get more people working out and improving their health Ð in the end, saving money in health care. At first I thought it was a good idea and people I've talked to say the same thing. My view has changed because people have their own reasons for not keeping fit or being in good health. If it really matters to a person to work out, whether it's going for a walk, run, bike ride, you name it, they're going to do it. They make it part of their routine to dedicate time for it. I agree with the comments made by one of my sources that it's a lifestyle thing. I'm a minor victim of not really working out myself. I enjoy physical activities and running, but I don't do it enough. I recently purchased a gym pass so I can work out. While I'm not crazy about doing it, it makes your body feel better. It's important to keep your muscles strong. When I think of this initiative being attempted, could this lead to a domino effect? Does this mean buying a bike, rollerblades or anything sport or recreation-related will be tax deductible? These are all things that have effect on a persons well-being in one way or another. The cost of working out can be expensive, depending on the club. While I have to admit it's a clever idea, the reason my opinion has changed is because it shouldn't take a tax deduction for people to care enough about their health to work out. This becomes a reward for those who do. Maybe that's not a bad thing. The best return they get is being in good health. Of course people here might say the best reward would be better workout facilities, but that's another topic.
