It does get easier the more you cycle, and good on you! 
After my partner's sudden death in Nov 08, I kept his dog as my own, and wanted to do more than just walking and playing sling ball with him, so I decided to get a bike, so that he can run along the bike when I cycle.
I last cycled in the summer of 1983, fell off the bike due to breaking too hard in the front down a slope.
I started to cycle around Feb 09, and could only do a few hundred yards before panting like mad due to being so unfit and overweight!
I had to change the bike from a 16in folder without much suspension to speak of, to a 20in folder with full front and back suspensions, and it makes such a big difference!
It is true that a bike can either put you off cycling or encourage you to go further, and I love my new bike.
During week days after work, I play sling balls with Borda the dog in a field, and then hook him up to a cycling lead that goes around my waist, and do a couple of miles around a disused car park next to the field.
I take him to a nearby forest at weekends to do a bit more, the most just over 6 miles, with lots of breaks in between.
He loves running along the bike, and it is good exercise for both of us. My weight has dropped and is now steady, so that I can eat whatever I like without putting on weight. The muscles are toner too, and I have gone down two sizes for trousers so far, magic!
I came back from a camping holiday up near Thetford Forest, and went to High Lodge Forest Centre for cycling 4 out of 5 days (first day was out due to being too tired after pitching up the tent). The most I managed was 6.5miles in a day, with lots of breaks in between, of course.
One of my knees used to give me pain due to my leg bending slightly inwards, being grossly overweight did not help. However, it no longers gives me any pain, as I have lost 1.5st, and have strengthened the muscles/joints in my legs.
I would advise getting a cheapo cycle computer, so that you can tell how fast and far you have done, and aim to improve as you progress, like increasing your speed and go a little bit further every day etc...
You can also improve by riding on higher and higher gears on the same ground to improve your muscle strength.
I would strongly advise you to learn to perform your own basic maintenance, as it is not difficult to do, and can save you a forture. Most bike shops charge around 30 GBP for a service! Try Googling bike maintenance course to see if there is one near you.
Loosing my partner was a life changing event for certain, and I miss him dearly. However, I am determined to look after his dog, and to improve my health, as he always joked I would die before him when he was alive.
I guess I have the last laugh now 
DK 
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Topic: I just started cycling....
