If it's a toe clip, like with a strap, or even strapless mini get started by putting one foot in and start pedaling with the other not engaged, the once you are moving look down and flip the pedal around to slip the 2nd foot in.

I cut my plastic clips because they didn't have the height I needed for my fat feet, so I wound up with custom mini clips. (not really clips at all). I ordered some strapless mini clips to experiment with because mine don't really wrap around my toes at all, just the front of the shoes. I also ordered mountain bike toe clips with straps because the add said I could fit a real shoe on the pedal.

I'm gonna compare all 3 before deciding what I want on the rode bike. I have other bikes so the others won't go to waste. I'm not at the level of clip type pedals and shoes yet ...