all that was said above had some merit. i will never contest any other person's personal experience because it is their truth and that cannot be contested. that being said, here is my truth.
at first, i did not wish to post in the "fasting for weight loss section" because i did not have any weight to lose. i have always maintained a normal weight and have been primarily into raw foods for years. maintaining my weight due to the raw foods is actually a piece of cake for me. had i been on cooked foods however, VERY different story i'm sure would have precipitated.
just as the person above mentioned that we have very complex ties to food ( i agree 100%), i will also attest to the fact that we have exceedingly complex ties to fasting as well. from time immemorial, fasting was used for myriad of reasons :illnes mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. jesus fasted for 40 days and i DOUBT that it was to lose weight. mohammad fasted and so did buddha. by the way the "original" buddha was not a corpulent overweight man at all. he had a great deal of discipline over his body and fasted at lengths. in fact, his "enlightenment" proceeded his sitting under a bodhi tree after having fasted for a great length of time. i actually do fast to purify my blood, tissues, cells and organs further. that is not a lie that i tell to myself. it is the absolute truth. i do not kid myself. i also fast for emotional reasons. yes, i have done a tremendous work on myself and yes, i have read geneen roth's book amongst the hundred of other self help books i have read on various emotional self empowering messages. i have done several things to change my life and lifestyle. etc.
i think that it takes almost herculean strength to smile to others, pretend to be happy etc. when ones organs tissues and cells are filled with toxins. my emotions can sometimes be toxic to me and they destroy my cells. fasting helps to release some of those emotions that were detrimental to me and stored in the cells. i fast for spiritual reasons as well and this is also the truth and not a self deceptive ploy. i also agree with the statement that fasting is useless if one has not made a commitment to change "AFTER" the fast emotionally, physically ( including diet and exercise) and spiritually. fasting is about mind body spirit unification. i posted below on my fasting as "spiritual fasting" . so far, day 4 has gone well. i feel more "integrated". i have no desire to lose any weight. if i do, that's ok. i know i can regain it back with proper diet and exercise as well. i did undertake fasting for mind body spirit purification. i always have been and will continue to be very earnest about that. my best wishes extends to you all. i know how difficult it is to deal with the emotions and spirit. i have had and continue to have my share of battles. the only answer is to be brave , courageous and faithful in thought spirit and action. this is no easy task
good luck

peace be with you
jadetulip
peggy