Just got Creatine! and a couple random Q's

[DJ Girevik]

First off. I just got a 500 gram tub today! That should last me about 6-7 months, and only for 20 dollars! I had my first shake today, 5 g Creatine, 30g Just-WHEY, and 6 oz of milk in it. I followed that with 2 cups of milk and 4 cups of water. No side effects, none at all. Don't know if it had to do with the Creatine but today at work, I had a TON of energy, mentally and physically. Is this normal? Awesome side effect, definitely, if it is.

Qs:

1) If I start ZMA, is there any chance of my growth plates fusing early because of increased testosterone? And would the acne be worse for someone with a history of acne (been on accutane before)?

2) Does Creatine help with fat loss or hurt it?

 

[mondochicken]

a common misconception is that creatine "builds muscle." this is not the case. what creatine does is it allows the body to recouperate faster, allowing you to work out more often. you said that you are taking protein also. that's the stuff that will build the muscle.

one side effet of creatine is that you gain a lot of weight intially form all of the water that you're drinking, but when you stop taking the supplement you lose most of the weight that you gained (keeping only the weight that you gained from the increase of muscle mass)

i hope that helps you in answering whatever you needed to know.

 

[DJ Girevik]

I actually didn't ask anything about that, cuz I already know how creatine really works. The volumizing effect (water into muscles) dilutes lactic acid, allowing for more energy, allowing for harder workouts, which spurs more muscle building and strength gain.

 

[Drex]

Originally posted by DJ Girevik
Qs:

1) If I start ZMA, is there any chance of my growth plates fusing early because of increased testosterone? And would the acne be worse for someone with a history of acne (been on accutane before)?

2) Does Creatine help with fat loss or hurt it?

1) How old are you? If you are a teenager - early 20s you should not even need ZMA as your body should be producing it's max amount of testosterone as it is. All ZMA does is give your body enough zinc/magnesium to produce testosterone to it's full potential. So no, taking ZMA would not stunt your growth. And yes ZMA will probably make you break out in acne especially if you are prone to acne. Also ZMA has another side effect, HORRIBLE gas.

2) Neither.

 

[DJ Girevik]

Thanks for the info. I'm 18.

 

[El MonoLoco]

Creatine is for people who can't do it on there own. Now I know you probably just want to gain some mass. But do you really not want to touch your hands above your head? Honestly you should let your body grow naturally. Once you stop using creatine your body WILL shrink down to what it would have been had you not used the creatine at all. Your metabolisim will also slow down once you stop. So unless you can afford to keep buying the stuff until you're in your 50's then I would suggest going the natural route. Your body will thank you for it.

 

[Viroid]

Originally posted by DJ Girevik

2) Does Creatine help with fat loss or hurt it?

you dont need ZMA at your age.

Read my, "creatine stops fat loss" post

 

[bman]

i totally agree El MonoLoco. the only supplement i ever need is protein.

 

[DJ Girevik]

Originally posted by El MonoLoco
Creatine is for people who can't do it on there own. Now I know you probably just want to gain some mass. But do you really not want to touch your hands above your head? Honestly you should let your body grow naturally. Once you stop using creatine your body WILL shrink down to what it would have been had you not used the creatine at all. Your metabolisim will also slow down once you stop. So unless you can afford to keep buying the stuff until you're in your 50's then I would suggest going the natural route. Your body will thank you for it.

Okay, you're just making assumptions and unresearched drivel there. The reason the body shrinks down is because of the water being lost because of stopping taking it. The new actual mass you gain STAYS. Why don't you do your research, dude. And BTW, it's called cycling.

 

[Drex]

Originally posted by El MonoLoco
Creatine is for people who can't do it on there own. Now I know you probably just want to gain some mass. But do you really not want to touch your hands above your head? Honestly you should let your body grow naturally. Once you stop using creatine your body WILL shrink down to what it would have been had you not used the creatine at all. Your metabolisim will also slow down once you stop. So unless you can afford to keep buying the stuff until you're in your 50's then I would suggest going the natural route. Your body will thank you for it.

You are ignorant and you have no idea what you are talking about. Creatine allows you to LIFT MORE. It is ALREADY in your body and is used to increase muscular anaerobic endurance and power which will increase your muscle gain. It's stored in your muscle cells and during heavy lifting your body converts it into ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) to power your muscles. ATP is what your body produces naturally to fuel your muscles during intense muscle contractions. Creatine is converted into ATP when your muscles are drained (no ATP) so supplementing with creatine is giving your muscles more fuel to put it simply. Creatine has a cell-volumizing effect so it makes your muscle cells store more water which is the "extra weight" people associate with creatine. You gain an extra 5lbs or so of water when you first start taking it and from then on everything else you gain due to creatine use is MUSCLE and you KEEP that muscle after you stop taking creatine.