There is a motto that I've long adhered to in those tough, faltering moments on the bike: "No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everyone on the couch."

They were sage words imparted by someone far wiser than me, but it was fantastic to see their essence included among the catchy slogans used by Sport England in its This Girl Can campaign unveiled earlier this week to help encourage more women to take up exercise.

This Girl Can may have its roots south of the border, but it tackles a topic relevant to every single woman here in Scotland. According to research, women in the UK are less likely than men to become active because of body image and competency fears.

One of the strongest themes is concerns about being judged for being the wrong size, not fit enough or lacking the right skills to take part. No other European countries have such stark disparity between men and women when it comes to participating in sport.

Olympic athletes Jessica Ennis or Victoria Pendleton are wonderful role models and rightly viewed as so, but for many women their fitness levels and physiques can be seen as unachievable.

That's why Sport England struck gold when they chose to recruit seven ordinary women aged between 14 and 51 to front the This Girl Can campaign and become empowering ambassadors for women in sport.

They proudly show that bingo wings, cellulite and wobbly thighs are no barrier to pursuing a healthy lifestyle and exercise. "I swim because I love my body. Not because I hate it," is one slogan, while another reads: "Sweating like a pig, feeling like a fox."

These are women rocking their workouts, enjoying every moment and not giving two hoots if they don't look flawless in the process. You can see their rivulets of perspiration, smudged mascara and sweat matted hair in all its unabashed glory. The end result? They look strong, powerful and beautiful.

The crux of the matter is this: we are all imperfect. Every woman - and man too for that matter - has wrinkles, stretch marks, under eye bags, scars, thread veins, saggy skin, assorted lumps and bumps they feel uncomfortable about.

Real life is messy and ragged around the edges. Emulating the air-brushed images that adorn billboards and magazine covers the world over is as likely as winning the Grand National on a unicorn.

Less than five years ago I was in such a spiralling health decline that I would take a lift up one floor rather than climb a flight of stairs or jump in a taxi if required to walk more than the length of myself. Now, every time I turn a pedal, climb a hill, meander the half mile home from the supermarket with heavy shopping or run for the bus, I feel enormous pride.

Sport is about overcoming challenges, achieving goals and an unbeatable sense of camaraderie and community. Being puce-faced at the end of a hard gym session or vigorous bike ride isn't something to be embarrassed about, rather it should be viewed as badge of honour.

Anyone who thinks otherwise? I seriously don't give a damn. I only feel sorry for them that they have such a narrow, blinkered view of the world.