ROBIN COCHEU,

Portland, Oregon

The 57-year-old elementary school teacher has not seen her young students in person since March 2020. She’s been instructing them remotely as part of the district’s “comprehensive distance learning” program.

“It’s been a challenging [time] for everyone, which, in my case, led to weight gain and feelings of depression,” said Cocheu.

Poor food choices caused Cocheu to go up at least one dress size. She tried to disguise her expanding figure during class video sessions by adjusting her position in front of the camera.

But in June, after school closed for the summer, she resolved to take action. Her aim was to look and feel better before in-person interactions finally resume in September.

She said: “I didn’t want my principal and colleagues to think I was unhealthy and was keen to show I could keep up

with my first-graders.”

Soon after beginning the online “Sparkle Girl” plan devised by New York wellness coach Deborah Capaccio, Cocheu experienced a change in her mindset.

She became more optimistic and contemplative, and felt motivated to abandon her poor eating routine and follow a vegetable- and proteinbased diet while drinking plenty of water.

“I met at least some of my colleagues and students at a weeklong summer school in early August,” said Cocheu, who is down 16 pounds and back to her previous dress size. “I felt good in the shorts I was wearing and comfortable running around with the children.

“When the new school year starts after Labor Day, I know I’ll be proud of what I’ve achieved.”