northernmusician's Journal, 06 January 2016

I don't gain a lot of weight from creatine. Maybe that means I don't have a lot of muscle. I do agree that it can impact weight fluctuations and it's just water. Keep an eye on your body composition and how your clothes fit. I think that's a better indicator of where your at than weight. 

I'm learning more and more not freak out over short term fluctuations on the scale. As long as calories eaten are in line with what they should be. Been hearing you guys talking about creatine, haven't tried it. 

Calipers have already closed almost a mm in 1 week. Right direction. Thanks, Herder. 

Now I'm just considered a 16:8 person? LOL. I am only jealous because I don't have the willpower to go longer. Keep up the good work!  

Of course you're not 'just' a 16:8 person. The difference is with the Eat Stop Eat approach, you're actually using the fast to cut calories rather than cramming all your calories into an 8 hour window. 16:8 I think will work very well for me on maintenance, and I've been doing pretty close to that anyway. 

Thanks for the reassurance :)  

Wow, I was just asking about Creatine. I will read that article when I get a minute. Perfect timing! 

...remind me never to buy Calipers 

Wait - you started a fast without asking us to join you? I feel slighted and am going to go sulk in the corner. As far as the gain goes, I dunno. There's no point in fasting if the next meal busts you over the calorie limit for the day. I've maintained my fasting pound loss, and I might be ready to go again on Sunday. 

Oh man, I better stay away from that creatine until I'm active enough to compensate for the possible gain. I will purchase plain unflavored Whey Protein.  

Let me know about the next fast too. I may be ready to join. 

Some people see creatine non-responders, which is unfortunate. For those that are, you will put on water weight, however the scale is a guide, calipers.. Calipers.... Calipers. Your mindset is changing from someone concerned with losing every pound to someone using various tools to build the body you want. My weight fluctuates from 177 in the Summer to 189 in the winter. This is ok, it's accounted for...i typically cut hard till mid October them steadily gain through the end of year.... Come January back on plan and any extra weight is gone by March. Brad's book is a good read, a lot of good concepts throughout. Leangains.com is another site to checkout, all about 16:8 IF and bodybuilding. In short.... You're right where you want to be, stick to your diet and the creatine weight will be a new normal. If you run creatine for 8 weeks, you can easily cycle off for 4 weeks and see all that water gain drop off. One other thing.... When on Creatine, any blood test will show high creatinine levels in the kidney, this is normal, harmless, and not a sign of kidney failure. Creatine is one of the most researched supplements ever. 

I just finished the last of my Whey powder and I was concerned that the creatine would add more mass to my body. I was thinking of purchasing plain Whey powder without any additives.Is there a protein powder that is recommended for women who don't want to bulk? I need tone in my life. I'm off to work but I hope someone has a suggestion, thanks. 

Lift weights 

There is no such thing as TONE....Muscles either atrophy...or hypertrophy, that is all. For protein powder, determine what you want to achieve. Whey gives you a faster source of protein, while Casein protein is a slower delivery of protein. And...if you're taking protein post-workout, ensure that it has sufficient amino's, and don't forget the carbs. If you're not taking in sugars with the amino's and protein, you're really wasting your money. 

im cycling back on creatine right now and I always try and drink about a gallon a day of water when Im on it. I love the results and stack it with my beta alanine pre work out. I always have a little fluctuation any ways so Im like you, dont worry about it when on creatine. I was worried about it at 1st but Im on my 2nd cycle now and feel wonderful taking it.. I feel strong.. ChicaLean, I take ISOPURE whey , works great and is low carb.. Im off it now bc I was having reactions to dairy due to IBS, but Iso pure is one of my favorite brands bc they are zero carb  

Redgirl, does the Beta-Alanine give you the "tingles" :-) that's my sign that it's time to quit chatting and start lifting. Iso Pure Zero Carb is a good quality whey protein, but again....you need the carbs or its just money down the drain unfortunately.  

i do get thet "itch" or tingle. the beta alanine itch is simply the result of nerve endings underneath the skin which are stimulated and firing at a higher than normal rate. It is not a cause for concern and is experienced by the majority of beta alanine users. Im ok with it .. and I stack it with creatine for a great pre work out boost.. and I also use it as my que to get my butt moving.. :)  

Thanks Redgirl and mahjohn for this information. I'm not as active at the moment but getting there. I will start with some light cardio this week and then add in light weights next week. I typically add fruit to my protein shakes. Is that adequate for the carbs added? You are awesome Redgirl! My goal is to lower my body fat and have lean muscle definition. So I need to get moving.  

The "itch" is cool..for anyone reading and doesn't get it. Beta-Alanine is a Lactic Acid Buffer....by lowering PH, espcially when combined with Creatine, you can push out a few more reps at a higher weight before muscle fatigue/failure. As for Fruit afterwards, yes...however, you really need a good spike in carbs, here's why... When you are looking to lose weight, you want to control your Insulin response to incoming sugars...a low Insulin response results in a drop in stored glucose, and a drop in body fat overtime, i.e...Low Carb Diet. However, once you are past the weight-loss stage, and want to develop muscle, guess what...you need Insulin. After a weight workout (not cardio), your muscles are ready for repair....give your body an hour for cell cleanup. It is at this point, it is ready for Amino's and Protein to fuel muscle recovery and growth. However, the only way these essentials can get to your cells is via Insulin. If there are any Candy bars I want to eat, i'll save one for after a workout and have with my shake. The large and fast insulin response you get from the sugars produces a large Insulin response. Insulin as you know takes glucose from the blood and stores in cells, and it is this storage process that takes not only the glucose, but also the Amnino's and Proteins with it. Insulin is the transport vehicle for Amino's and Proteins. Won't the carbs make you fat?...no of course not...you have a need for them. As you are typically Low Carb, any incoming Glucose would re-stock the liver first, then fill cells with fat, but instead of fat storage, the glucose is needed immediately. So....yes, you need carbs, but only after weight-lifting.