There are a few hills that I've needed to stop on and start again. Some of them are steep enough that I can't start in my lowest gear. It may sound counter-intuitive, but a single pedal stroke with my stronger leg in the lowest gear is not enough to get me moving fast enough to get my other leg on the pedal to help. Of course, that means I need a very strong power stroke, but I do what's necessary.
For my bike, that's usually the small chainring and the 3rd cog, It depends on the hill and bike's gear ratios. After a while, I'm sure you'll come to really like SPD cleats.