A Bucket of Life

Americans are heavy and getting heavier. At one point or another, most adults contemplate weight loss and look for some guidance. Traditional health and fitness books remind the reader of their faults then spill a new diet plan or gym routine on the remaining pages. A Bucket of Life is a short, engaging story of an average American, Jack, who unexpectedly recognizes he is overweight and far out-of-shape. In his quest to become healthy, he is directed to a kindly, older physician. They meet regularly, and, over a series of twelve visits, the doctor presents the essential lessons of human health to Jack and his wife, Jillian. Progressively, the family makes fundamental changes to their usual diet and habits—health naturally follows. The story is simple, readable and applicable. A complete health makeover is marched out through the lives of Jack and Jillian as they demonstrate small changes produce big results over time. A Bucket of Life is not intended to be a comprehensive health guide but an entertaining weekend read that sparks a Monday morning plan.

Dr. Toombs graduated from the University of Missouri-School of Medicine. After finishing residency in Family Practice at the Cox Family Practice Residency Program in Springfield, Missouri, he completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship at the University of Iowa. He is board certified in both Family Medicine and Pain Medicine. Dr. Toombs has a full-time medical practice as the Director of the Pain Rehabilitation Center at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Toombs has maintained a parallel career in the military spanning more than 30 years. He joined the Marine Corps Reserves while in high school then transferred to the Army National Guard in college. Dr. Toombs completed flight training with the Army in 1988. During Desert Storm, he commanded an air assault helicopter company in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. Dr. Toombs has completed three deployments to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He continues to serve as a physician for the Missouri Army National Guard. He is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development and medical advisor for Pain Treatment Topics. Dr. Toombs is the author of numerous peer reviewed medical articles. Dr. Toombs is married and has a five-year-old daughter.