I just received my first batch of creatine select. I thought I would use that in my training now to prepare me for a figure show in June. I want to add more muscle mass. I am just not sure how much and when I should take it. I'm thinking one scoop prior to work out but not sure. I am 5'2 121 lbs.

Thanks!

Before your workout (with weights obviously) is a great time to take it. Another idea, which is a Beverly "Gem", is to mix one scoop of Creatine Select w/ 1-2 scoop of Glutamine Select, and drink half before your workout and sip the rest of that mix throughout the remainder of your workout!

A lot of Bev'ers have used this method pretty successfully. But, either way is great. Good luck!

Thanks Vijay~

I take glutamine select during my training already, so this will work perfect. I tried the creatine before my weight lifting yesterday and I really felt the difference in strength and energy. I also took muscle synergy (4 tabs) - that really helped too!

Thanks for the advice!

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I also took muscle synergy (4 tabs) - that really helped too!

Try using 8 tabs. I'm not a big fan of creatine, but combine it with MS, that's a PUMP! Try the MS, then at night, take 4 to 8 tabs with the ZMA.

Thanks Frank- I'll try that. One more question about the creatine- when should I stop taking this? I heard you can hold on to water while taking this and should be discontinued close to show time. My shows are in mid June.

Thanks again Frank!

If you take excessive amounts close to the Showtime, then yes it can hold unecessary water and blur some of your "finer" cuts. The thing is this, Creatine holds water, yes, but only intracellularly within the muscle belly. This means that the water being stored will NOT be subcutaneus and will not give you the appearance of making you look "Soft". If anything it will help the muscle bellies look rounder and harder!

You dont' have to stop ever taking creatine. Just taper your intake in the final few weeks. Try taking about 2 grams a day the final 2 weeks of prep. Not only will it help you hold on to muscle, but it will keep you from going flat also!

Good luck to you!!

I cut it 10 days out and have loaded it Weds-Thurs-Fri, 20 Weds, 15 Thurs, 10 Fri grams per day along with supersaturating carbs and decreasing water and sodium some, Im not holding any water sub q, or very little and by Saturday there wont be any as I continue to dry out....creatine holds it intracellularly not sub q, those saying sub q are just fat in my opinion, creatine has never caused me to hold sub q.

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I heard you can hold on to water while taking this and should be discontinued close to show time

Ah, close. Glutamine.

Thanks guys!

I have been taking creatine for about a week now and I have had no water retention at all. I have alot more strength- especially with the Glutamine/creatine mix (sipped while training) combined with 8 synergy (prior to training).

I appreciate your input!

I have been experiencing some ab cramping, located mainly on the left side. It feels similar to runners cramp. I'm wondering if its due to the creatine I started taking about a week ago? It's tolerable, but I'm not sure what brought it on.

Has anyone every experienced this after starting creatine?

I would get muscle strains, mainly in the legs. Are you taking anything else with the creatine, glutamine, and Muscle Synergy?

If not, stop one each time to see if it may be the stacking or use of all three at the same time. It may be the combination, not really the creatine.

Kelly, it sounds like you are getting cramps because of the dehydration effect of creatine overload. You are taking to much Creatine alltogether! 5 grams from creatine select? 3 grams from muscle synergy (16 tabs)? I think you stated that you are using 8 tabs of MS right? That is 6.5 grams in total creatine intake. For someone your size you need to cut that down a lot.

Cut your serving of Creatine select by 50% and you should be fine. That should solve your problem.

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Kelly, it sounds like you are getting cramps because of the dehydration effect of creatine overload.

Do you think that's dehydration for abdominal cramps? Then again, Kelly is small in body weight, too. 8 grms can be overload.

Wow- I didn't know that creatine has a dehydrating effect if taken in excess.
I was taking 8 MS and 1 scoop of creatine select (5 grams) along with a scoop of glutamine select.

I will cut the creatine back by 1/2 scoop and maybe take 5 MS tabs instead of 8 and see what happens.

Thanks! You guys are awesome..

Kelly,

Either cut back a little on the creatine or do the experiment to see if the stacking is the problem. If I remember correctly, there were a couple of people posting about creatine causing lower ab cramping.

Since I'm not a huge fan of creatine, I would say cut the dose in two parts, but don't injest more water to compensate because you're already doing a gallon a day. I believe it is too much of a dose at one time. So, if you're still having problems, drop 1/2 the dose and if it is a problem, drop it completely.

Thanks Frank-

I cut back to 1/2 scoop of creatine and also cut back on the MS yesterday. The cramping is no longer there, so I think I will stick with this dose for now.

I appreciate your feedback!

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also cut back on the MS yesterday

Noooo! LOL

Keep the MS going. There's more to it than just a pump. There's muscle building blocks in it, not just creatine. 8 is just right. Take 4 a half hour before and 4 midway through your workout.

When MS is in my bag, I take 8 prior, 8 midway.

*LAUGHING*

I suppose I will get it straight someday =)

Ok- I think I got it right-

- 4 tabs MS prior to W/O
- 4 tabs during W/O
- 1/2 scoop of creatine select during W/O (with 1 scoop glutamine added also)

Thanks Frank!

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suppose I will get it straight someday =)

Ok- I think I got it right-

Well, it's not a matter of right/wrong, just a different way to approach certain goals. On that note, I would like you to try something different for a couple of weeks.

Use the amount of creatine intake while you were cramping in this way: 1/2 the dose mid-workout with 4 oz of Gatorade. The other 1/2 of the creatine, take 10 min post workout with 2 oz Gatorade. If you're doing body building posing daily, then wait for a few minutes prior, then pose.

You may not experience a "weight-loss", but what I'm looking for is a change in your physique.

I loaded Glutamine too the final week too so I dont think it can cause water retention as I was one of the driest in the entire show, its a cell volumizer and I get more benefits from it than I think creatine. I take NOW Sports for that, cheap and I just need the regular stuff. I loaded 20 grams Weds, 20 Thurs and 20 Fri. Many people dont know but Glutamine is also a glucose disposal agent meaning it helps clear glucose from blood sugar with less need for a large insuline spike, meaning you can diet on more carbs.

I also use other GDAs allowing me to diet on more carbs and control insulin. I achieved my best ever. I loaded creatine and glutamine, if the diet is right these will ONLY improve the physique.

Good Luck Kelly, 8 grams may be too high, my wife weighs 120 and takes 5 grams with no problem. So Im not sure.....take some of the advice here and see if the cramping stops.