This morning I had the pleasure of being interviewed once again by Mark Parton on Radio 2CC down in Canberra.
I like chatting with Mark as he’s got his head switched on about health and motivation and definitely breaks the trend of breakfast announcers who are more concerned about plugging a sausage roll for breakfast because they sponsor the show then the health benefits of their listeners.
Mark was interested in my opinions on the latest initiative from the Federal Government to combat the obesity epidemic by introducing gym tax breaks and possible junk food taxes that are being reported in the media the last couple of days.
If you are not familiar with the story, you can read it here.
How good is this! What a great idea that has come from the leaders of our country!
People who lead a healthy lifestyle, manage to eat healthy, and look after themselves cost society a LOT less money because they are not using medical facilities – doctors visits, stays in hospital for lifestyle related problems, medications subsidised by the government, the list goes on then people who believe that society and the world owes them a living and the right to free health care.
Let's Introduce a fat tax on these types of foods
The healthy and active among us are in turn being punished by paying the same level of tax as people who are constantly needing this because of the lifestyle choices they make.
While those who have the motivation to participate in this healthy lifestyle have to pay for gym memberships, boot camp sessions, healthier food that can sometimes be more expensive, gym gear, you name it.
Anything that can give people an extra incentive to move more, eat less and eat smarter has to be a winner. This could potentially be the big thing that encourages millions of Australians to achieve weight loss success.
So in my humble opinion, introducing tax breaks is definitely the way to go. How good will it be if Australia can boast the title of the world’s healthiest and fittest nation?
I mean we’ve got the weather and lifestyle to encourage it. We just need the motivation to take action.
And there is no greater motivation then saving people money. It could be the one little thing that gets people over the line and into a healthier lifestyle.
Let’s say you get an automatic tax break of an extra couple of grand each year if you can prove that you attend personal training sessions, or actually get out and move.
Maybe an across the board fitness test each year could be the determinate of this. Who knows? The nuts and bolts of it all still need to be set in stone but let’s worry about that later and get the ball rolling on this.
Fit and healthy people cost the government less so it makes sense.
The bleeding hearts and do-gooders will jump on this comment but at the end of the day people have to take responsibility for their own actions (or in-action) in the case or pay the penalty. And the hip pocket is the best way to do this.
How about a 100% increase on the price of junk food?
If your McValue meal from Maccas is suddenly $10 instead of $5 you may think twice about going for that for lunch instead of the grilled fish and salad that’s at the other end of the food court.
Try for a smarter meal option that your Maccas hit
It’s a controversial topic that is sure to polarise opinion so I’d love to hear your 2 cents worth. Do you agree with me or am I way off the mark?
Let me know!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I loved this idea too! It is thinking well out of the square. The current ideas are just not working so lets hit people in the wallet to see if that makes a difference. I read posts by people saying that they can’t afford quality food and that they eat fast food because its cheap. I dont agree with that but it would be great to reverse that way of thinking.
Definitely Kellie – healthy food isn’t always expensive. Just this week I looked in the local paper and saw an ad for a fruit market offering lots of veggies and fruit specials for less than $2. If people buy in season it is not expensive. It’s just another excuse by people who don’t want to take 10 minutes to cook something healthy!
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