Town striker Michael Chopra has completed his stay at a California health farm and flew back to the UK overnight. Last month, TWTD revealed that the 28-year-old would be spending time in the US as part of his preparations for the new season.

Chopra, who scored 14 goals during a 2011/12 campaign affected by off-field issues, tweeted that he’s returning home fitter and out to improve on that in the year ahead: “In LA airport now, training camp done. Lost quite a bit of weight, looking forward to the new season, people will see a new Michael.”

The former England U21 international lost 3kg during his week at the Ashram Healthort in Calabasas, California and says he's in the best shape he has been in since he joined the Blues a year ago: "After hiking and running up and down mountains for a week and only eating fruit and veg, the results speak for themselves.

"Very hard week's training, the results show before and after think I'll be flying next season best I've felt since I got to the play-off final with Cardiff."

Chopra also tweeted photos and a chart outlining the progress he made during his week in the States.

The Ashram costs $4,500 a week with showbiz figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Dan Aykroyd, Shirley MacLaine, Jane Fonda and Faye Dunaway previous guests.

In May, Blues boss Paul Jewell revealed that his squad had been given individual fitness plans for what is a longer than usual close season due to the Olympics and that some of them would be going on what he referred to as ‘holidays’.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’s individual programme has involved him coming into the club periodically since the end of May to work on his fitness. The Blues’ pre-season proper begins on Thursday 5th July.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Bergholtblue added 07:54 - Jun 25 "and only eating fruit and veg for a week" I'm glad I am not sitting next to him on the plane home!!!!!!
0

Bergholtblue added 08:05 - Jun 25 Googled 'The Ashram - California'. Cost $4500 dollars for the week, not including air fares. Thats $1500 for each kilogram lost. Chopra is a very lucky young man and it is all credit to ITFC for all they have done to rehabilitate him. I hope Chops realises this and can put his past behind him and become the top player we all know he can be.
0

BlueVelvet added 12:33 - Jun 25 3kg weight loss - thats down to fluid loss, nothing else - thats 3l of fluid Clearly an addicts clinic / retreat - could have got the same treatment without travelling the 5000 or so miles in the UK Goals is what we need Chops, keep away from the bookies, booze and birds Chops and ITFC will fly
0

simonsays added 13:07 - Jun 25 I wonder if he won anything while he was there?
0

dirtydingusmagee added 17:35 - Jun 25 lets hope Chops can get in the scoring groove from the start and keep out of trouble,all his baggage spoiled a good chunk of last season . COYB .
0

alliedaz added 21:45 - Jun 26 u owe us big time
0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls