I've decided that I need to get back into shape...

[il Padrino Ute]

and have decided that cycling is the way I'm going to do it. My question is about equipment:

I've decided that I'm going to purchase a Bianchi, but for those of you who are cyclists, should I purchase an "entry level" - for lack of a better term - bike or should I spend the extra money and get a bike that a more serious cyclist would ride?

I talked to one of the techs's at a local shop here and his suggestion was that it would be better to buy a more expensive bike so I wouldn't have to upgrade from a lesser bike. I suppose that makes sense, but is he trying to just get me to spend more money or dies he make a legitimate point? If I go with the lesser bike, is there any need to upgrade at all?

I plan on riding to get into shape and have no plans or desire to even think about riding on any compeitive level.

What say ye? Any advice would be most appreciated.