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Creatine usage

connolly_31

connolly_31

Winger
Morning all,
Been reading up on the many benefits of creatine as I look to ramp up the working out ahead of a trip in September.

Looking to tone up rather than bulk up and ideally lose a bit of the wobblyness, not necessarily lose a load of weight.

Appreciate the creative will help with muscle mass so won’t be staring at the scales. But one thing holding me back is the water retention. Is this noticeable and if so does it go away in time? Only looking to take about 5g a day 5 days per week for the next two months alongside strength training and cardio.

Interested to hear the opinion of any more qualified folk than I.

Cheers.
 

I take daily and not really noticed any kind of water retention as such. I did an initial loading phase, then ramped down to 10g and now just 5g a day which I drink during my workout at the gym.
 
I used to take it a lot when I was much younger and did feel as though it made a difference.

I've just started taking again, I disregarded the loading phase and take 3g immediately before a workout.

I definitely noticed water retention back then, haven't so far and been taking it for 3-4 weeks now. That said, it just made you a little bulkier, but certainly didn't mask gains. I regularly got asked if I was on steroids, I've never taken them.
 
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Yeah wasn’t looking to bulk more just improve muscle mass and “tighten up” in areas. Certainly won’t be loading up at 20g’s for a week, more just the standard 3-5g pre or post workout.

Not sure if there are any gain in cardiovascular activities but will ask in the running thread.

Bloody minefield when you start looking into nutrition and supplements. Every bugger seems to know what they’re talking about without spitting out a routine. But they do offer 10% something if you sign up……
 
Jesse The Body Ventura said:
Apart from the loading phase at the start you shouldn't be taking more than 5g per day.
And you need to be taking it every day 365(6) days a year.
It mainly just provides extra energy to the muscles, it's not as important as protein and carb intake for muscle mass though.
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Spot on. Thank you!
Jesse The Body Ventura said:
Apart from the loading phase at the start you shouldn't be taking more than 5g per day.
And you need to be taking it every day 365(6) days a year.
It mainly just provides extra energy to the muscles, it's not as important as protein and carb intake for muscle mass though.
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I’m a pig with sweating anyway so I won’t notice the difference 😂
 
connolly_31 said:
Yeah wasn’t looking to bulk more just improve muscle mass and “tighten up” in areas. Certainly won’t be loading up at 20g’s for a week, more just the standard 3-5g pre or post workout.

Not sure if there are any gain in cardiovascular activities but will ask in the running thread.

Bloody minefield when you start looking into nutrition and supplements. Every bugger seems to know what they’re talking about without spitting out a routine. But they do offer 10% something if you sign up……
Click to expand...
I've started taking it before jiu jitsu as well as weight training, haven't really noticed a difference cardio wise, but will monitor over the coming months.
 
Worked with a lad at the council years ago who started going to the gym. Came into work one day and declared "I've started takin this steroid called cretin..."
 
I had limited results with creatine. Unless you want to go down the steroids use (which I have and wouldn't recommend) get a blood test and see what you're lacking in vitamins and minerals wise. I lack b12 and magnesium, so supplement. I'm also going on a blood glucose analysis thing from Zoe.com it tells you how your body reacts to certain foods etc. You can't out train a bad diet.
 
Just been to the gym there after day three of taking it after a 15k run yesterday and felt full of energy. Placebo maybe, caffeine maybe but seemed to have a positive impact. Sticking to 5g a day in my protein shake.
 
connolly_31 said:
Just been to the gym there after day three of taking it after a 15k run yesterday and felt full of energy. Placebo maybe, caffeine maybe but seemed to have a positive impact. Sticking to 5g a day in my protein shake.
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Even if it is a placebo effect- it's working for you mate. Run with it if you feel it's working for you. My friend swears by it.
 
connolly_31 said:
Morning all,
Been reading up on the many benefits of creatine as I look to ramp up the working out ahead of a trip in September.

Looking to tone up rather than bulk up and ideally lose a bit of the wobblyness, not necessarily lose a load of weight.

Appreciate the creative will help with muscle mass so won’t be staring at the scales. But one thing holding me back is the water retention. Is this noticeable and if so does it go away in time? Only looking to take about 5g a day 5 days per week for the next two months alongside strength training and cardio.

Interested to hear the opinion of any more qualified folk than I.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
Done a course of the creatine powder about 10 years ago and I went up like a water balloon, seriously people noticed I had grown. My farts were the worst like. Never again
 
R5Skywalker said:
I had limited results with creatine. Unless you want to go down the steroids use (which I have and wouldn't recommend) get a blood test and see what you're lacking in vitamins and minerals wise. I lack b12 and magnesium, so supplement. I'm also going on a blood glucose analysis thing from Zoe.com it tells you how your body reacts to certain foods etc. You can't out train a bad diet.
Click to expand...
Did you just get blood test via your Gp or something you paid for?
 
wilma56 said:
Did you just get blood test via your Gp or something you paid for?
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Just went online and done an e consultation with my GP mate. If you say you're concerned you're low in B12, they'll take a blood test. Get a pdf copy of your blood test and then ask a nutritionist to dissect it. 😎
 
League Wan said:
Done a course of the creatine powder about 10 years ago and I went up like a water balloon, seriously people noticed I had grown. My farts were the worst like. Never again
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Does that only happen when doing a loading phase? Keen to try creatine at some point but most advice now seems to be avoid taking 20g a day.
 
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