Maybe you can find some casual running groups in and around North Carolina? I attend one and we run every Wednesday and Saturday. Even though I'm 20 years younger than the average runner some of the guys (who were on track to be the position you find yourself in now) have really turned their life around with respect to looking after themselves. I would encourage anyone of any age or fitness to do the same. Having people around you who can encourage you makes it so much harder to give up.

Regular exercise makes such a huge difference in ability to handle stressful situations as well as dealing with long term stress. It also improves cognitive function measurably.

I don't know what else you have going on in your life, but you are sacrificing the wrong thing. Forty-five minutes a day is nothing for the benefits you get.