Most people give up fatty foods or trips to the pub in an effort to lose weight - not Matthew Cowdrey.

The 32-year-old foreign currency trader took up competing in 'Ironman' triathlons after the monotony of jogging to trim the waistline became too much.

Now a routine competition for Cowdrey consists of a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile cycle ride and a full marathon to finish things off.

Cowdrey has not only shed the pounds thanks to his new regime but has gone on to earn international recognition for his exploits and has recently been signed up by one of the most successful triathlon teams in Europe, TRI UK.

He said: "I realised I had to get my fitness back in my late 20s because I was starting to struggle with my weight.

"I was running six times a week but it was getting really boring and I wanted a new challenge. When I saw an advert for the triathlon I knew I had found what I was looking for."

Cowdrey will be joined in the TRI UK team by fellow East Grinstead Tri Club member Mike Francis, 34, and they will compete in a series of national and international triathlon events throughout the summer.

Co-owner of TRI UK and team manager Ali Boon believes the decision to snap up the pair was a simple one.

Boon said: "Matthew and Mike were natural choices when it came to selecting our team for 2006.

"We have grown the race team to more than 50 competitors and it is now the envy of the triathlon world. Their dedication and loyalty meant they were an obvious pick for the team. We are looking forward to a year of success together."

Cowdrey is relishing the prospect of the higher standard of equipment available through the new sponsorship but understands the implications of TRI UK backing.

He said: "I have had a go on the equipment they have provided and I know it will have a positive effect on my times. I would have to be a few years younger to consider going full time but the sponsorship definitely takes the financial strain off competing.

"Having said that, the sponsorship increases the pressure on me. Before the only people I let down with bad performances were myself and my family, that's not the case anymore."

Francis, who generally races at the shorter Olympic distance (0.9-mile swim, 25-mile cycle, six-mile run) added: "Of course there will be more pressure with the sponsorship but this will just spur Matthew and I to perform harder."

The future looks bright for the pair who recently increased their training levels at East Grinstead Triathlon Club ahead of the start of the new season.

Cowdrey will compete in Ironman Switzerland in early July before representing Great Britain at the European Long Course Championship in Almere, Holland, in August.

Francis will also represent Great Britain this summer at the European sprint distance (0.6-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike, 3.1-mile run) and is shocked at how far his career has come in such a short time.

He said: "I narrowly missed out on qualifying for the British team last season so to go one better this time round is a great achievement. It's only my second full season competing so to gain sponsorship as well is a bonus. I think both Matthew and I will have a successful season."

Cowdrey also shares his team-mate's optimism about forthcoming events.

He said: "I finished a credible 34th at last year's World Long Course Championships and believe I can do even better in this season's competitions.

"We'll just have to see if this self confidence turns into real results but at the moment I am just really looking forward to getting out there and competing."