Kris,
Welcome, and please remember to introduce yourself in the Clydesdale/Athena sub forum. You'll receive encouragement from folks who share your specific goals. Bike riding can be really, really fun, especially if you can fine one or two friends with whom to ride from time to time. The company helps to make the rides more interesting, and you can discover new places.
The recommendation about a bicycle trainer is a good one. On your local classified ads, or Craigslist, or whatever, you will find folks who are selling a trainer for far less than the retail price. In it, you'll be able to mount your own bike by the rear axle, and can ride while watching TV or films, or maybe even reading (which my daughter manages to do, I don't know how). It's boring, but the winter passes pretty quickly.
Good luck and keep posting your progress.