During the past 14 months, 123 residents in the little community of Valemount have lost an astounding 3,500 collective pounds.
The Robson Valley Lifestyle program, headed by Dr. Stefan Du Toit, goes against the grain of most weight loss programs that emphasize exercise.
"We teach people to eat healthy, according to the Canada Food Rules, but we don't allow them to exercise during their weight loss," said Du Toit.
"When you lose a lot of weight through exercise, it's not sustainable. Exercise stimulates appetite, but once the weight is gone and eating habits have changed, exercise is introduced to help to keep it off."
The doctor believes the program could be an answer to childhood obesity and do much to reduce the diabetes epidemic. And with this new approach, the program is working beyond expectation.
"I'm so excited about all this," said Du Toit. "You don't see many overweight people on streets of Valemount.
"We have patients who've lost more than 100 pounds and patients now off insulin and high blood pressure medication."
Now, Du Toit said, the newly-healthy want to spread the word.
"This is not a secret. We want to get the word out there," he said.
"This program can fix obesity and depression that often goes with it. When people lose the obesity, they feel better about themselves.
"We have one elderly patient who's lost 100 pounds. She wasn't able to do much at all like wash the windows. Now she's doing everything."
Lynn Lawless is a primary teacher at Valemount elementary who's young son was somewhat overweight.
With the help of her friend, Du Toit, Lawless made some nutritional changes at home without even telling the children.
"We simply changed our diet, cutting out such foods as cereals containing sugar, most breads and foods like granola bars. The results have benefitted the whole family," Lawless said.
"My nine-year-old has lost his extra pounds, and the whole family has benefitted. My husband and I feel great with much more energy.
"When you buy whole wheat bread and cereal and granola bars, you think you're buying healthy foods, but when you read labels, you see it isn't so."
Lawless said she'd like to see the program in the local schools to educate parents and reduce obesity among children.
"This program can be a good way of life for all families."
Kelly Pearson became a goal-reaching, 95-pound loser in less than 10 months.
"This is a gift that Stefan has given us," she said. "It doesn't seem like a diet. We eat like they did 100 years ago before the carbohydrate foods were introduced. We eat protein, fruits and vegetables and it's very sustainable."
She said the day came when she just wanted to start running even though she had never ran in her life.
"It's unbelievable that you want to exercise," said Pearson, who doesn't have a pair of jeans larger than a size 10 in her closet now that she's tossed out the size 24s.
In just over 10 months Phyllis Hitchings has lost more than 100 pounds and has about 30 more to lose.
The program has given her back her life, said her husband Gerry.
"She couldn't walk upstairs and I did most of the shopping. Now she's looking after her mother like I was looking after her, and she's doing the shopping and helping me shovel snow," said Gerry.
Shirley Gonyou is a patient who's been on the program for a few weeks and has lost about 30 pounds.
"So far, it's not too bad. You get a little hungry some times. It's low in carbohydrates. No potatoes, bread or rice. No root vegetable like turnips or peas and carrots that are high in sugars, but it's working fine."
Du Toit's program is reaching ears far and wide. He now receives calls from as far away as Ontario, and neighbouring McBride residents are hoping a program can be established there.
