new to creatine..

subscriber

I bought whey protein last week and it came with 500grams of free creatine. Im toying with the idea of starting with it but not yet sure...

As I understand it, creatine is just an amino acid and is good for two things: supplementing energy to allow more intensity training at the gym and also drawing water from the body into the muscle groups to make muscle appear fuller.

Im worried about a few things. Im worried ill get fat. As im trying to keep my weight down, the last thing I want is water weight in my muscles. Im concerned that if I take creatine for a period of time and my muscle groups become more full, that if I stop, they will just turn to blob in no time.

Im concerned about the side effects: Ive read it can cause intense mood swings and depression or low mood if not dose monitored correctly, or if not taken in cycles correctly.

Do I need it? The other question to consider is.... do I actually even need it. I mean yes I want to be lean and have defined muscles but considering im not in training for any paticular competition... do I actually need to be taking it and risking side effects instead of just sticking with the protein.

Can anyone dispell or confirm any of these facts / myths about creatine from personal experience?

conzy

subscriber wrote: »

I bought whey protein last week and it came with 500grams of free creatine. Im toying with the idea of starting with it but not yet sure...

As I understand it, creatine is just an amino acid and is good for two things: supplementing energy to allow more intensity training at the gym and also drawing water from the body into the muscle groups to make muscle appear fuller.

Im worried about a few things. Im worried ill get fat. As im trying to keep my weight down, the last thing I want is water weight in my muscles. Im concerned that if I take creatine for a period of time and my muscle groups become more full, that if I stop, they will just turn to blob in no time.

Im concerned about the side effects: Ive read it can cause intense mood swings and depression or low mood if not dose monitored correctly, or if not taken in cycles correctly.

Do I need it? The other question to consider is.... do I actually even need it. I mean yes I want to be lean and have defined muscles but considering im not in training for any paticular competition... do I actually need to be taking it and risking side effects instead of just sticking with the protein.

Can anyone dispell or confirm any of these facts / myths about creatine from personal experience?

All myths.

Creatine has no adverse side affects, It does not need to be "cycled" it will not affect your mood. The "water weight" which is actually increased gycogen storage in the muscles will help your performance slightly. Your muscles will not "turn to blob" when you stop taking creatine

An excellent informative post on Danny Lennon's blog about creatine. That particular article is geared towards MMA fighters but its relevant to anyone that trains.

Mellor

subscriber wrote: »

Im worried about a few things. Im worried ill get fat. As im trying to keep my weight down, the last thing I want is water weight in my muscles. Im concerned that if I take creatine for a period of time and my muscle groups become more full, that if I stop, they will just turn to blob in no time.

Water can't turn to fat. Either can muscle for that matter. The water may add some mass on the scales. Bit don't worry about that, you are trying to lose fat specifically, not simply weight.

Im concerned about the side effects: Ive read it can cause intense mood swings and depression or low mood if not dose monitored correctly, or if not taken in cycles correctly.

All nonsense. Ignore those stories

Do I need it? The other question to consider is.... do I actually even need it. I mean yes I want to be lean and have defined muscles but considering im not in training for any paticular competition... do I actually need to be taking it and risking side effects instead of just sticking with the protein.

You don't need it. But it was free and the side effects listed don't exist, so no reason not to take it imo.

Mellor

conzy wrote: »

An excellent informative post on Danny Lennon's blog about creatine. That particular article is geared towards MMA fighters but its relevant to anyone that trains.

I just read the whole 4 part series there. Thanks for posting. I haven't heard of him before, but I agreed with everything he is saying.