The apostle understood that self-denial was the only way to walk the Christian walk. He, too, had to learn to keep the passions, cravings and desires of the body in check. If he didn't, then he'd be disqualified from all of the things he earnestly desired. In fact, you may not get off first base, spiritually. Yet there's very little teaching offered in this area.
Most believers are unaware of the power and benefits found in the discipline of fasting.
Fasting is self-denial, not doing only what you want. The meaning of fasting lies in controlling one's desires, in submission to something other than yourself. Because this voluntary renunciation of the ties to this natural world is elevating, freeing us from the concerns of the physical to consider the spiritual. The practice of fasting was instituted in order to revitalize our nature. Fasting is the hygiene of the soul, a cleansing.