Sarasota County mom, daughter celebrate weight loss on Oprah

-- Since last October, 11-year-old Michaela McNutt has done what many adults find impossible to do.

Michaela lost 50 pounds.

All of her hard work and dedication paid off in a major way. She made it onto the Oprah show – on a very special Oprah edition. Tuesday's Oprah show will be her last weight loss segment, and if anyone knows the struggles of weight loss, it's Oprah herself.

So do Michaela and her mom, Maryann. Last year, WFLA, Channel 8, told their weight loss stories. Maryann lost more than 100 pounds, providing a great example for her daughter. Michaela, known as Mikki, had lost 45 pounds at the time. She has since lost five more pounds and is enjoying a more active life.

"I'm able to play with my friends more and keep up," she says, "when people run and we play soccer or play something."

After WFLA's story was broadcast, Maryann sent a letter and the video to the Oprah Winfrey Show, simply asking for an autograph for Mikki for Christmas.

That's when the whirlwind started. Before she knew it, she and Mikki were flying to Chicago and Harpo studios to appear on the show.

Mikki says her goal now is to raise awareness about childhood obesity. With her appearance on the Oprah show, Mikki is hoping to set the best example; that eating right, exercising, persistence and hard work do indeed pay off. Oprah recognized that, and that's why she brought Mikki to the show to share that story.

Maryann says since Friday, when the promotional spots started airing for Today's show, her phone has been ringing off the hook.

Oprah's known for gifts, and as an added bonus to their experience, she gave Mikki and her mom brand new bicycles. As a true testament to the characters of this mom/daughter duo Mikki and her mom are going to give one of those bikes away to a child they met after our initial story aired, who is struggling with her weight too.