dvsness, dedication and desire

Arguing that a good workout in at the gym can be taxing enough, the governor’s plan to raise taxes on health clubs is gaining some strong opposition from the fitness industry and enthusiasts throughout the state. NY1’s Health and Fitness reporter Kafi Drexel filed the following report.

Governor David Paterson has proposed to boost the sales tax on health club fees and services four percent to raise more money to fix New York’s ailing economy. Yet many gym members would be feeling the burn in their wallets.

"I think it is ridiculous. I think you should tax fat food and tax pollution, something that is more negative," says gym member Susan Cappozzoli.

"If anything, they should be subsidizing gym memberships and decreasing gym memberships so you could encourage people to go to the gym and avoid obesity and other health issues,? says gym member Joel Feliciano.

Analysts from the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association say an additional tax would be just yet another financial hurdle for new fitness club memberships, which have already decreased in some areas because of the economy.

The fitness industry is also reacting by lobbying against the tax in Albany. Clubs like Equinox have been emailing members on-line, encouraging them to ask lawmakers to block the tax.

"We think the tax is just a big disconnect from Governor Paterson’s direct state policy of promoting a healthy lifestyle," says Equinox chief operating officer Scott Rosen.

Paterson previously said he would tax sugary sodas to help fight obesity, but some wonder whether taxing gym memberships will undo his health advocacy.

"New York State spent $1.6 billion last year for health care costs for obesity. To have this tax discourages maintaining a well-balanced diet and health and fitness," says Senior Vice President David Kastin of Town Sports International. "I would double up the tax on sodas and leave fitness clubs alone."

State health officials are defending the tax proposal, which is still subject to approval by the State Legislature.

"The tax on health club memberships is something we’re doing to raise revenue. There’s plenty of other ways as [State Health Commissioner Richard] Daines said, that folks can get out and exercise, particularly children," says State Deputy Health & Human Services Secretary Joe Baker.

Rosen says that argument leaves a lot out of the equation.

"Many of our members can’t do it on their own," he says. "They need our energy or our space, or our equipment or our staff and our trainers, our group fitness programs. So it’s not just about, ‘Where do I exercise?’"

[url]http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=93706[/url]

Discussion here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=114069101

Since I last updated, I’ve trained Delts, Arms, and Legs… alone with Abs and Calves here and there. Cardio too (yuck). Between eating more, weighing more, and doing a higher volume of training, I am a very sweaty person these days.

‘Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.

-H.L. Hungt

Anja Langer

Back, Traps and Abs training. Killer lat pump doing high face pulls for 7s. Got all of my food in somehow. It’s remarkable how much I am eating.

There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.

I was forced to take yesterday off because of a migraine.    Legs and chest are still sore.  Calves are not!

Focus!

If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.

Of course, I can’t tell you what I’m eating either, but count the meals!    Trust me, they are BIG too!

Meal 1

• Prolab Cuts II
• PRO + CHO MEAL
• My Favorite Multiple

Meal 2

• PRO +CHO + VEG MEAL
• Migrelief

Meal 3

• PRO + CHO + FAT MEAL
• Vigor

Meal 4

• PRO + VEG MEAL
• fish oil

Meal 5

• PRO + CHO MEAL

Meal 6 (PWO)

• Prolab Lean Mass Complex

Meal 7

• PRO + VEG MEAL
• Cuts II

Random thoughts:

I have a lot of work to catch up on at the office, and I seem to be up late since I have a huge volume of food to cook these days!

As long as I have a desire, I have a reason for living. Satisfaction is death. We must find a great reason to wake up every morning!