DiveMom1, since you already have a bike, I recommend a something called an indoor bike trainer. Take a look at the attached pictures. Basically, it attaches on the hub of the rear wheel and lifts the rear tire off the ground, so you pedal, but go nowhere. Very stable. About $ 250 for a trail bike version and less for a road bike version. Available in bike shops. One problem with stationary bikes is they very often don't have a natural feel to them, unless you move up the price range. And being 2 hours away, you may not get a chance to try out many different models to see which you like riding. I once had a model from Sears, felt comfortable enough, but it wore out pretty quickly. Didn't get to use it very much. My first indoor trainer wore out too, but at least I got my money's worth from it. (Everything mechanical wears out eventually). With the indoor trainer, you feel totally natural, because you're on your own bike. It has several resistance levels on the unit, plus you can use your bike's gears to change resistance as you are pedalling.
Negatives: Not as easy to read a magazine. Not as easy to sit up with your back straight for any period of time. No fancy heart rate monitor, hill programs etc. (Actually, you can buy software for your PC and plug that in, but that's going over the top!)
Good luck! You seem pretty motivated, remember that you need to get your heart rate up for 20 minutes to get a good cardio workout, so don't discount plain walking in the beginning. Remember that regularity is key (as mentioned by others), so just get into a rythm and keep at it, slowly increasing time & intensity. Don't neglect weight training - mixing that in actually helps with the cardio too.
But yes I get your point. I have watched people at the gym watching TV while on machines and they look like they are still on the couch. You certainly have to keep your focus on your workout and merely an eye on the TV. Besides, that's why I watch sports and True Blood. Those programs don't require much attention. 
