The secret: second-order change

I've learned recently about "first-order" vs. "second-order" change. This is the key to changing any part of your life, including weight-loss/getting healthy.

I believe the reason most people fail, or gain everything back later, is they never get past making it a first-order change. Below is the gist of it, borrowed from The National Academy for Academic Leadership. SO...WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR YOU TO MAKE THIS NEW LIFESTYLE A SECOND-ORDER CHANGE???

First- and Second-Order Change

* First-order change is doing more – or less – of something we are already doing. First-order change is always reversible.
* Second-order change is deciding – or being forced – to do something significantly or fundamentally different from what we have done before. The process is irreversible: once you begin, it is impossible to return to the way you were doing before.

The characteristics of first- and second-order change

* First-order change
o Adjustments within the existing structure
o Doing more or less of something
o Reversible
o Restoration of balance (homeostasis)
o Non-transformational
o New learning is not required
o Old story can still be told
* Second-order change
o New way of seeing things
o Shifting gears
o Irreversible
o Often begins through the informal system
o Transformation to something quite different
o Requires new learning
o New story is told