Moms got into a heated debate over an advert showing a woman in bikini, jogging with her two-year-old daughter who is inside a stroller. Moms were quick to slam the ad as unrealistic. It sets a ridiculous expectation of what real mothers look in person they said, because, as truth be told, who goes out jogging wearing a bikini?
The campaign is for the new Bugaboo Runner stroller being sold in retail for $800. The photo, first spotted by Yahoo, is posted on Bugaboo's official Facebook page.
Body image expert, Leslie Goldman, explained why mothers perceived the advertisement as something absurd. The Bugaboo ad surpasses all "unrealistic portrayals of moms in the media," she told Yahoo.
"The idea that you would be out running on the street in a bikini, with a body like that, it is so highly unrealistic and unattainable that I feel like laughing is the only thing you can do. A lot of moms, we feel happy if we can just remember to put sunblock on in the morning, let alone have everything together enough to go for a run ... in a bikini no less," she said.
Dietician Patricia Bannan explained that the woman in the picture is a supermodel, "she's genetically blessed." She said supermodels are not the norm.
The woman in the picture is international supermodel Ymre Stiekema from Netherlands. In real life, she is the mother of the two-year-old girl, Lymee, who is also the kid used in the Bugaboo advertisement in question. Stiekema is an avid runner as well.
While some mothers argued that the Bugaboo ad featuring Stiekema is merely for promotions, the supermodel, like any other woman, had her own struggles to get back in shape after giving birth.
Speaking with a Bugaboo representative, Stiekema said that she relied in breastfeeding to help bring back her original body size after giving birth two years ago. Like any other mother, she focused and enjoyed just being a parent while she waited out for six weeks until she can do exercises that are more physical.
To keep her slim figure, she always finds time to squeeze in her workout on top of her busy schedule. She does running, weight lifting and yoga.
"When I'm at home, I try to work out every day, and I'll always put on my workout gear if my hotel has a small gym or the location is good for running," she said.
Stiekema's boyfriend works as a personal trainer but she prefers training on her own. They hit the gym together but save for some exercising tips, Stiekma does her exercise alone.
Becoming a mother has made her more driven, Stiekema said. She maybe traveling across the world for photo shoots and fashion shows, but nothing beats coming home to her daughter.
"The best thing is coming home to someone who runs into your arms and says 'I miss mummy,'" she said.
See how model and mum Ymre Stiekema stays fit and healthy with the Bugaboo Runner. https://mi8.ly/4ojq24 Stay tuned for more running tips!
Posted by Bugaboo on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
