Has anyone used Creatine?

[fitmom]

I have been debating on taking creatine and would love some input from those who have taken it. Did you like it? Any side effects? Do you think it really helped you in your strength program or was it just something that you blew your $$ on?

I'd appreciate any advice on this

Thanks
Alli

 

[Deb D]

Hi Alli

Hi again,

I once asked Cathe this very question and she was very clear about the fact that she does not condone the use of "supplements" such as creatine, I beleive she said that she tried it once and it caused some bloating...or someting like that. Maybe she can clarify this. DD

 

[DebbieH]

Hi Alli!

My son took Creatine when he was in High School Football for building muscle. He ended up having problems where his muscles would cramp and the sports medicine Dr. said that the Creatine was dehydrating him. The coach still wanted him to take it but drink lots??? I don't know if I would recommend it. He got good results, muscle-wise, but I think anything that has side effects, you really need to be careful. Maybe Cathe can give you more EDUCATED advise.

DebbieH

 

[Elyse]

I took it--

and I saw some good results right away, especially in my arms. That was the (1) good thing about it. I found it had some very uncomfortable side effects, not the least of which was a weight, not muscle, gain.
IMO, I honestly don't think that it was meant for anyone other than a professional athlete.
The Body for Life program does include the use of creatine. Truthfully the best results I ever saw and the only supplement that I really trust now is the use of a soy protein powder once a day, combined with lean meats in my diet. That really does work. I get my protein powder at a natural health food store (not GNC, because sometimes the employees aren't as 'knowlegeble' as I feel they should be) so I don't feel like I'm poisoning myself, which is how I felt with creatine.
Lengthy answer, I know.

 

[fitmom]

Thanks Deb D

I don't know why I didn't search the archives before I posted this. I'm normally pretty good about that.

Thanks for responding
Alli

 

[fitmom]

Hi Elyse

I did try the Betagen that BFL recommended. I was so bloated and staid that way too. I wasn't sure if it was the creatine doing it or the combination of stuff that's in Betagen.

I'll have to look into the soy protein poweder.

Thanks!
Alli

 

[fitmom]

Hi Debbie

Thanks for sharing that with me. Gee, becoming dehydrated sure doesn't sound like something I want to do. I work too hard to make sure I drink as much water as I can.

I think I'll lay off the stuff. My muscles have always seemed to respond really well by themselves. Maybe I should just leave them alone. Well, regarding this subject anyway....Lol

Thanks again
Alli

 

[foo]

this is not very secure

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[Steplover]

I've taken it too

I took Betagen to be specific and I did have a weight gain from it. The first time I took it my face broke out terribly too! NOT a pretty picture. I don't think the "results" I got were worth the price or the side effects I had.

Hope that helps!

Tammy

 

[fitmom]

Hi Tammy

Thanks for the info! I wonder why it made your face breakout. Come to think of it, mine did too but, I never put the two together! Wow, guess that bottle will be going in the trash!

Thanks so much!
Alli

 

[trevor]

hi alli

I have used creatine in the past and had problems with cramping in my legs. Basically what happened was I got larger in size but that was because the muscles were bloated and appeared larger from water buildup. One of my co-workers experienced the same thing.
From what I have seen it's not worth the money spent on it. Also...the long term effects are unknown.
Trevor

 

[Steplover]

Hey Alli!

I really don't know why it made my face breakout. I even emailed EAS to ask them about it and they did not respond. I have wondered if it has something to do with increased hormones due to the muscle growth it's suppose to promote. I have always been sensative to hormonal changes and it I eat too much soy my face breaks out! When I first discovered roasted soy nuts I ate a whole bag of them in a few days time. My face went nuts (pardon the pun)

Tammy