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My daughters want to climb Long’s Peak and you can help

Vote for our video and help us get to Long's Peak
Vote for our video and help us get to Long's Peak

My daughters and I have entered a contest through Fitness Anywhere, the makers of the TRX Suspension Trainer, and we need your help.  We’ve created a video and all we’re asking is that you watch the video and share it with all of your friends.  Each view counts as a vote and will help us get to our goal.

If we get enough votes, TRX will sponsor us on a climb of Long’s Peak and give us a video camera to document the whole thing.  Please help us make the dream happen!

Copy the link below and share it through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, every method you can think of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zyHkBH2rPU

 In addition to sharing the link, click below to watch the video right here!

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Can you deduct your weight loss expenses?

I came across this little tidbit recently and thought, “I wonder how many people are eligible for this and don’t even know it”. 

According to IRS Publication 502:

“You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group as well as fees for attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.”

The rules specifically exclude gym membership fees, but they do include additional fees for weight loss activities.  To me, that says if you sign up for a specific program at your gym to assist in your medically-required weight loss program, such as personal training, classes, etc, you can include those expenses.

I am not a tax advisor and am not providing tax advice.  If you think you may qualify for this deduction, contact a qualified tax professional for advice.

Check it out.  What do you have to lose?