A fascinating article. Very reassuring if you, like me, sometimes find yourself thinking about work during the rosary, or even falling asleep: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org/2015/01/trasancos-mind-wander-when-pray/
I think fasting is allot like prayer in that it is easy to get disrtracted throughout the day and think, 'what the heck' a little bite won't hurt and before you know it your having a meal. Now we understand better what St. Paul taught "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak". I think more than anything, prayer like fasting must come from the heart and when we are distracted we have to tell our flesh to take a back seat.
If it was easy everyone would do it Also, the "created one" knows when (through the grace of God) one becomes closer to God. All of those little things are mini-temptations. It's the battle for ones soul. Brother al