Hello All (first post
)
I know this has been asked before on the forums several times, with the general concensus being that its fine to use creatine(CEE) for cutters/weight loss, but maybe a more focused question like mine, will offer some justification for a new thread, as I'm asking about which CEE and dose I should use.
I'm strongly considering using Creatine to aid in my workouts (recently I've decided to up them to more intensive levels, and I feel that Creatine will aid with the repair better). I still want to lose weight, so dosage and product suggestions are greatly appreciated. I know I can get Controlled Labs Green Bulk easily enough (Sometimes Canada = the shaft on some supplements), but was weary of its "MASS GAINS" that it seems to promote.
Quote:
Key Attributes:
* Mass Gains
* Increased Strength
* Increased Pumps
* Greater Protein Synthesis
* Patented Creatine
* Ethyl Ester Technology
* Antioxidant & Insulin Regulator
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err... trying to cut/lose weight.. not *gain* it.
Some background:
I'm male, nearly 24 and just under 6'2"
4-5 years ago I was in decent shape at only 175 pounds (same height). Then I away went away to university, which ended up me having a tendency to only eat one meal a day and stop exercising (my chosen profession revolves mostly sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time). When I was clothes shopping after the new year, it sunk home I need to lose the weight and do something to better myself, when I ended up needing 44 size inch belts for my loose-fit 42 inch pants.
I didn't start this whole weight loss thing until middle-February (well real dieting started in early-mid February, I'm can't re-call "exactly" when I started, but exercise didn't start until the middle). I've gone from 255 pounds to 225. My waist dropped from 42"(as mentioned pushing the 44 area) to 38".
I'm happy with my progress so far, but I've been feeling that its been slowing down -- hence the need to intensify my workouts more, which is starting to show that it was the right decision (I had gone all the way down to 222, then spiked up to 230-232, and was quite literally stuck there for nearly 2 weeks; this newer exercise program seems to helped in weening it down again to my current weight).
My exercise prior to it was actually very conservative, and not the most taxing. It revolved around jogging/speed-walking on the treadmill for 45mins at most on one day, and basic weights (small reps and weight): bench press, arm/bicep curls, leg extensions, and resisted crunches. You can kinda see why it seems I might have been "stuck". I also felt like I could do more.
My new program is much more intense and targets more muscle groups; additionally I do sprints or long jogs prior to each exercise to get my heart rate up (one of the problems I suspected in the past, was my heart rate didn't approach that 80% area to help burn off fat when doing reps - it probably only reached that marker on the last few), and a quasi-HIIT on my "off day" with a few more resisted ab exercises.
For the past month+ I've been taking Lean System 7 -- Canadian version - only ingredient difference between it and American, it uses Coleus forskohlii aka "ForsLean" instead of 7-Keto (the reason for this to my understanding is some law/legal issue - it might have to do with our interpretation of DHEA products, but if that was the case, it may have finally changed - as I've been seeing NOW 7-Keto pills popping up lately). The other major differences seem to be the dose amounts. American dose is 2 capsules, with a total product of 1186mg (around that area). We have 3 capsules for a dose, and the total amount is 2205mg (nearly double).
Breakdown:
700mg Guarana
500mg Yerbe Mate
300mg Citrius aurantium
300mg Green Tea Extract
250mg Dandellion leaf/root powder
150mg "ForsLean"
5mg Bioperine
I can't in good conscious fully credit this pill. Aside from the original mild exercise program I started, I've upped my eating to small meals 4 times a day (I really need to work on getting in 6) from my near stasis 1 or 2 meals a day (sometimes large amounts back then), ate healthier (I've always eaten pretty "healthy food", but I've cut down on excessive carbs; not cut it out completely - I have weakness/addiction to spaghetti that stills rears it head once a week, basically I cut out the occasional sweets, pop and *sniff* pizza), and drank LOTS of water. Theres also a likely chance that "water-weight" was just one of the other things that gives me the illusion I dropped a lot.
If the pills "do work", I think their "Thermogenic properties" don't really show up until a month in. I just know my body wasn't this "hot" during workouts when I first started and I didn't sweat nearly as this much. They aren't that great for hunger cravings to be honest.
700mg of Guarana is a lot though. I was familiar with Guarana from the energy drinks BAWLS and Red Bull; plus my past addiction to espresso, is likely why I can tolerate such large amounts of caffeine/"energy". If anything, I like how these pills give me a serious kick in the "wake the heck up" and workouts even now with the harder program, seem to do the job.
The only other "supplement" is Whey Protein Shakes that I take post-workout (I exercise early in the morning). I drink 2 a day (they count as 2 meals for me -- so I guess I'm not really "eating" 4 times per day.. hehe). I'm having a hard time trying to balance in a proper eating plan. e.g. a "REAL" Breakfast. Since I know its usually more ideal to eat simple carbs and the shakes post-workout (which is basically "breakfast time"), and complex carbs 2 hours after workout (which coincidentally seems to fit in for "lunch").
Woah.. this ended up being a long post
Ok, in regards to Creatine (specifically a CEE-based), which product do people recommend for those of are cutting? or would Green Bulk still do the job? Should I use a lower dose since I'm more interested in weight loss? Pre-workout or Post-Workout? Could I still use it in conjunction with Canuck Lean System 7 (I'm not about to completely write it out as ineffective/helpful)? If so should I lower the dose?
Any further recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
side-question: whats a good after-dinner snack/meal? Don't say protein-shake.. :P
Which would be better in that case though? simple carbs or complex carbs for such late evenings? Or stick to something protein-based instead?
Just trying to optimize my weight loss, folks.
Thanks in advance.
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