COMMENT TO CAMILLE
Last I heard, 30s come after 40s! Bravo!
How about an alternative image to "brick by brick," which suggests heavy, onerous effort? A lighter image perhaps? Such as: brick by ever-lighter brick. Or, imagine the body weight you aspire to as a horizon over the ocean; you're sailing toward it in a light sailboat; some days the water is choppy, other days smooth; some days the wind is dead calm, other days it fills the sails nicely, bringing you ever closer to where you want to get to. All that's required of you is to keep the boat pointed in the right direction.

Early morning thought from a sister intimate with heavy. . .