Hello everyone. I have a question on creatine usage. Before I say the actual question here is a little background info on me. I am 5'7'', 2 years ago I used to be 300 lbs. I am now down to 184 lbs. My goal is to get to 155. I am still on cutting phase, but I lift weights regularly, although without progress. I was thinking to add creatine during my recovery period. However I am not sure if I should add it now or wait untill I hit the weights really hard (which will be in late May, early June)?
Thanks for your future help.

Do you take any other supplements (whey or l-glutamine)? I'd look at those first since you are still cutting and those will help preserve your muscle.

Do you take any other supplements (whey or l-glutamine)? I'd look at those first since you are still cutting and those will help preserve your muscle.

I use Wey Protein and nothing else. Yes, my primary goal is keep the muscle I have and to lose fat. I have only about 30 lbs to go. I believe it will take about 3 more months.
Thanks for the advice.

hey d_samuylin,

whatever you want is good imo, creatine will be fine whenever, just cycle it

i.e. 8 weeks on , 8-10 weeks off, 8 weeks on, otherwise as with most things your body will get too used to it and stop responding

Mark

hey d_samuylin,

whatever you want is good imo, creatine will be fine whenever, just cycle it

i.e. 8 weeks on , 8-10 weeks off, 8 weeks on, otherwise as with most things your body will get too used to it and stop responding

Mark

Thanks a lot Mark.

I think the real question is, why aren't you hitting the weights hard right now? No time like the present.

fyi man, i used to be 240 when i was 15, and my dream weight was like 150. When i finally got down to 160 last summer, i noticed that i could not lose anymore, despite eatinng 1700 cal adnd 2x HIIT a day. Needless to say, i became depressed. My muscles were completely atrophied. When i started to life again 3 months ago, i coulld only bench like 90 pounds 8x! I decided to forget weight and see what hapenns. now im 180, benching 200, and im actually leaner than before! (30 inch waist) So basically, if u actually wanna look lean and muscular, there is no way ur gonna be able to get that look at 150ish lbs.

I have been on creatine for about a week. I have been on it before in '98. You need to read alot about it but the basic facts are:



Creatine monohydrate is the most effective creatine compound as proven in extensive research.

Despite rumors, there have been no significant findings indicating any risk in using creatine monohydrate as a supplement.

Many creatine formulas are loaded with sugar which allows manufacturers to increase profit margins (sugar is cheap). It's best, from an economy and effectiveness standpoint to first try pure creatine monohydrate in water. If after 10-14 days no increase in strength or muscle size is noted, you might try consuming it with 45 grams of sugar per 5 grams of creatine. Note that while this might enhance creatine absorption, it might also limit fat release. Most people benefit from pure creatine monohydrate powder without need to add any "factors."

Creatine is not a steroid and does not act like a steroid. It acts by drawing more water into muscle cells and by increasing phosphocreatine storage in muscle tissue. The result is increase in muscle size and performance.

Creatine is actually found in red meat and is fit for human consumption.
There isn't any documented research to suggest that creatine usage is unsafe for teens.

While creatine sellers suggest a "loading phase" amounting to 20 grams per day for the first 5 days, it appears "loading" isn't necessary. The one advantage loading may bring about is a quicker result, however, within 60 days, the result tends to be the same whether 20 grams per day are ingested at first, or a consistent 5 grams per day.

Too much creatine can lead to stomach upset. 5 gram servings seem to be tolerable for most people.

Creatine is sytemic, meaning once you've facilitated additional phosphocreatine storage in muscle, a daily 5 gram dose should be all you need. It is most effective when used if taken daily.

There isn't any need to "cycle" creatine. "Cycling" is a term that originated among athletes with anabolic steroid use to allow the endocrine system to repair after hormonal alteration. Creatine does not affect the endocrine system. You may choose to use creatine only during select times in your training, but there doesn't appear to be any risk in continuous usage.

Creatine doesn't have any masculinizing properties and it can be used by women seeking muscle or strength increase. Because it may lead to additional water retention, women seeking weight loss may find it psychologically hindering.

Brands that have proven reputable and reliable in their creatine compounds (although you may check pricing as the same compound will vary in price under different labels) are Weider, Parrillo, Labrada, EAS, and Sportpharma (this is by no means a complete list).

Creatine doesn't add muscle tissue but can act as a muscle gaining aid. In order to see a result from creatine supplementation, it's essential to incorporate it into a program including supportive eating, adequate macronutrition (proteins, carbs, essential fats) and resistance exercise.



the above was leached from

http://www.philkaplan.com/thefitnesstruth/creatinefacts.htm


You shouldn’t really be taking creatine on a cutting phase. But when you go in to bulking, that’s when you need to start it.

I think the real question is, why aren't you hitting the weights hard right now? No time like the present.

The only reason I am not hitting weights hard enough is because I need to cut down at least to 160's. I still have a lot of fat around my belly and the only way to see my 6-pack is to lose BF%, which I counted for me would be around 155 lbs. My problem is that I gain weight very quickly. I don't want to bulk up to 200 lbs and then cut down again.

fyi man, i used to be 240 when i was 15, and my dream weight was like 150. When i finally got down to 160 last summer, i noticed that i could not lose anymore, despite eatinng 1700 cal adnd 2x HIIT a day. Needless to say, i became depressed. My muscles were completely atrophied. When i started to life again 3 months ago, i coulld only bench like 90 pounds 8x! I decided to forget weight and see what hapenns. now im 180, benching 200, and im actually leaner than before! (30 inch waist) So basically, if u actually wanna look lean and muscular, there is no way ur gonna be able to get that look at 150ish lbs.

I am kind of in your situation. However, I still lose about 2 lbs per week. I am 5'7'' and 184 lbs now. I have to go down to 160 lbs at least before I start thinking about bulking. It would be perfect if I reach 155 lbs because at that stage I would carry 9% BF. I never in my life (and am 27 now) saw my 6 pack (althoug I was very athletic in my teens). I want to see it. I run 2 miles on empty stomach in the morning. And every other day I run 4 to 6 miles in the evening. I also do pull-ups, push-ups, dips, situps, and 15 minutes HIIT on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays evenings (I need this routine to prepare myself for police academy). Also I eat about 2000 (+-100) calories a day. I know for a fact that I will lose a few more lbs of muscle but I wanted to know if I could preserve the rest by adding creatine to my diet.
By the way. Thanks everyone for your input. I think I will add creatine to my diet starting next week. And also thanks to critique I got so far. I love to read different opinions. I find that very educating. :read:

The only reason I am not hitting weights hard enough is because I need to cut down at least to 160's. I still have a lot of fat around my belly and the only way to see my 6-pack is to lose BF%, which I counted for me would be around 155 lbs. My problem is that I gain weight very quickly. I don't want to bulk up to 200 lbs and then cut down again.

I'm a little confused. I though creatine gives you a "pump": makes your muscles look bigger, largely through water retention? Am I wrong? If so, why spend money on creatine when your body fat isn't low enough to see your muscles anyway? Why not start it when you're happy with your bf % and starting to build more muscle?

:confused:

I'm a little confused. I though creatine gives you a "pump": makes your muscles look bigger, largely through water retention? Am I wrong? If so, why spend money on creatine when your body fat isn't low enough to see your muscles anyway? Why not start it when you're happy with your bf % and starting to build more muscle?

:confused:

creatine is a cell volumizer.. it enables muscle cell tissue to retain more water. this creating a larger void for more nutrients to enter into muscle tissue. more nutrients --> bigger muscle, stronger muscle, and faster growth and recovery.

not only that. but when you take creatine, you enable your muscles to store more carbs and protein in them. you will have a greater workout capacity, more of the carbs and protein you eat will go towards your muscle. the more food you consume that actually goes into muscle repair and growth is even better!

creatine is a cell volumizer.. it enables muscle cell tissue to retain more water. this creating a larger void for more nutrients to enter into muscle tissue. more nutrients --> bigger muscle, stronger muscle, and faster growth and recovery.

not only that. but when you take creatine, you enable your muscles to store more carbs and protein in them. you will have a greater workout capacity, more of the carbs and protein you eat will go towards your muscle. the more food you consume that actually goes into muscle repair and growth is even better!

That is a great explanation Jono. Thanks a lot. I gave it another thought, and I think that I will give my cardio another 3 months to go down to 160's and start using creatine when I start my bulking phase. Although the temptation of lifting hard is realy high. My main goal is to see my 6 pack by June 1st and then start bulking.
Thanks for your help.