Definition and creatine, how much does the water retention ?

[webhead]

Hi all,

The title says it all: I've been on creatine for a while and I noticed, as is known, that I held up some water when I started taking it. I didn't notice anything in ways of definition because I wasn't that low of a bf% then.

Over time I dropped that bf% and now I'm starting to show reasonable definition but not as much as I'd hoped for at my current % (which shouldn't be more then 8%).
Now, how much does creatine affect that ripped look? Does it really cause a smoothed out effect or is it only minor ?

[fresh00]

creatine like mono will draw water into the muscle and may give it a smooth look , you can cut with creatine but look for one that will not cause water retention and also limit your sodium intake

[webhead]

bump (got to have some other opinions too )

[Purostaff]

Bump. I was searching around and have the same question as well.

I've been taking creatine for about 7 months now, and I've gained ~5 lbs after the loading phase as well as throughout the year. So, I'm positive I have some water retention.

Right now I'm at around 13% bf, and I plan to stop taking creatine during my deloading week (5 weeks from now) if my six-pack isn't visible by then.

[cal62887]

Any creatine, taken correctly, won't cause too much water retention or bloating.

CrM is your best bet. Taken at 3-5 grams daily around workout time will serve you perfect on a cut or a bulk.

i've taken Creatine for almost 2 years straight and I hold almost no water even though I drink 2+ gallons per day and control my sodium intake.

[Stuarty1984]

Call me stupid, CrM = mono, or micronized?

[Purostaff]

Originally Posted by cal62887

Any creatine, taken correctly, won't cause too much water retention or bloating.

CrM is your best bet. Taken at 3-5 grams daily around workout time will serve you perfect on a cut or a bulk.

i've taken Creatine for almost 2 years straight and I hold almost no water even though I drink 2+ gallons per day and control my sodium intake.

Reps on recharge.

I'm probably overdosing on creatine right now. (5g with morning shake + 2.5g pre-WO + 2.5g PWO. But I did read that you excrete (piss) the excess amount, etc..

To above poster: CrM is mono I believe

[Stuarty1984]

Sorry to bring this up again, still looking into mono, creapure etc.

Does anyone have before and after pics of just using creatine, no energy supps, no2's etc, over a period of a few weeks, then a couple of months etc?

[naturalguy]

Creatine draws water INTO your muscles and should make you look harder. I've yet to see anyone bloated on creatine.

[Stuarty1984]

you stand by this quite closely lol, ive even pm's from you, from over a year ago, saying something similar!!

[timberwolf]

Originally Posted by cal62887

Any creatine, taken correctly, won't cause too much water retention or bloating.

CrM is your best bet. Taken at 3-5 grams daily around workout time will serve you perfect on a cut or a bulk.

i've taken Creatine for almost 2 years straight and I hold almost no water even though I drink 2+ gallons per day and control my sodium intake.

If creatine did cause any bloating, your 2+ gallons of water per day would do the trick of getting rid of any water retention.

I've been on creatine for the last year and like to cut while on it.

[Stuarty1984]

Are you the dude on the controlled labs homepage???

So you stand by what naturalguy said in that, if taken correctly and with plenty of water, no bloat should occur?

[Rob Awesome]

See my sig.

[timberwolf]

Originally Posted by Stuarty1984

Are you the dude on the controlled labs homepage???

So you stand by what naturalguy said in that, if taken correctly and with plenty of water, no bloat should occur?

Yes and yes.

[Stuarty1984]

Sweet! Starstruck lol

[Stuarty1984]

Just ordered some reflex creapure!