Im on creatine..... I SWEAR!!!

[Shear_Madness]

TweetI will be starting my post cycle therapy in a week from now. It consist of nolva/ avena sativa/ maca. I picked up some creatine and will be using it for the first time in 3 years. I will just be throwing in 5g with my post workout shake. Im wondering if the creatine is such a good idea since I will be ending a cutting cycle, will it make me hold water? its been so long since Ive used it and cant remember.

[jack hust]

Tweetcreatine is fine it never bothers me

[lxorl]

Tweetits all personal..... some do some dont... but if you do hold water, it will go away when you stop...

[pudgy]

Tweetby definition creatine makes you hold water, thats kinda the point.

[Shear_Madness]

TweetMaybe i will hold off on the creatine for a while. Also, would adding 5g first am along with PW shake make any difference or would it be a waste? Its been years since using anything OTC and cant really see using more than necessary, mainly looking to use it to help with recovery and keeping strength op a little.

[mcbvr6]

TweetCreatine causes cell volumization or cellular hydration. During cell volumization, the water is drawn into the muscle cell. This is different from water retention where water is retained outside the cells.

[rado]

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Originally posted by pudgy
by definition creatine makes you hold water, thats kinda the point.

yep, kind of like Xenadrine making you hyper

[YellowJacket]

TweetWater retention is anabolic in it's own rights and it will help maintain strength as well.

[Shear_Madness]

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Originally posted by YellowJacket
Water retention is anabolic in it's own rights and it will help maintain strength as well.

I agree, Im just unsure about how smooth it will make me look or even bloated, since Im finishing up my cutting cycle, Id like to keep as dry as possible for the next couple months. How bad will it effect me?

[mcbvr6]

TweetCreatine draws water from the body to do its work. There is a difference between cell volumization and water retention. Cell volumization leads to more water inside the cells, thus (in theory) making the muscle bigger and firmer. Water retention, the process that makes the muscles look smooth, happens outside the muscle cells. Although, some people experience water "retention" while on creatine. It might be their diet or their water intake, but probably isn't the creatine itself.

[HeHateMe]

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Originally posted by mcbvr6
Creatine causes cell volumization or cellular hydration. During cell volumization, the water is drawn into the muscle cell. This is different from water retention where water is retained outside the cells.

Exactly!

I think people mistakenly link creatine with edema/water retention. Most of the time when you're using creatine, you're either:

a) coming off a cycle OR
b) bulking

In both instances you may not be as concerned with sodium intake. If you're dieting, watching sodium intake, and drinking lots of water, I believe you can use creatine effectively w/o water retention. Atleast I have.