Don't worry about where you start at. Its more about where you finish and how you got there. Take days off when you need them. Just don't make a habit of taking to many off.
Although touched upon before, have some goals and have yourself or your wife hold you accountable. Say you will ride MWF for 5 miles each time. If you don't you will let your wife control the remote for those days.
If you do ride for those days for 2 weeks straight then treat yourself or have your wife treat you to your favorite meal (within reason).