General Creatine questions

[totalchaos]

Ok so I've been taking creatine for a few months now, but I've been cycling. I never technically did a full loading phase, I mean I did like 5 grams before workout and 5 grams after then 2.5 grams after workout for maintanance. This last time I cycled off it for about 2 weeks and then got back on it at 5 grams a day for the last week and a half, and it seems to be working better than ever. My muscles are bulging the only downside is the excess bloading but I can live with it. Anyways my question is would it be beneficial to start a loading phase now like say 3-4 times a day (5 grams each time) or would it be a waste. I have the cheap powder really inexpensive like 16 bucks for 60 servings so money is not the issue. Thanks.

[Todd]

Well, if you are loaded up now, then there is no reason to load again. Once your muscle cells are saturated then there is no point in trying to saturate them further, you'll just be pissing away your money.

Once you're loaded, then take 5 grams before and 5 grams after your workouts - that's more than enough to maintain your creatine stores. On off days to working out, you don't need to take any.

If you deload, which generally takes about 1 month to fully deplete your creatine stores, then you can do one of two things:

1) Do a 4-5 day load where you take in 20-25 grams of creatine per day spread evenly throughout each day. This way you're muscles are fully loaded by day 4 or 5.

2) Take 5-10 grams per day for 30 days. This slowly loads your creatine strores up over a 1 month period.

[totalchaos]

Cool thanks, is it ok just to take it with water before my workout or should I take it with some type of sugar?

[F_Mac]

If you are taking monohydrate, you need to take it with a high glycemic carb source to get full benefits. If you are taking the ethyl ester kind then no carbs are required.

[totalchaos]

Ok would powerade or gatorade that would be high glycemic right? What about green tea (the kind that comes in the jug), also would it be beneficial to take it directly before the workout with the carbs and a scoop of whey, or would that counteract my workout due to the blood rushing to the digestive system and not to the muscles?

[Maxgain]

take it half an hour before. All of the above is grand