i've decided to go for it

[Jonny 2x4]

I just purchased the ProLab Creatine Monohydrate (creapure) 1000g tub from bodybuilding.com. I'm 18 yrs old and can barely keep my body weight at 155lbs, with my height at 6'1". I eat like crazy. I try to take in as much protein as I can possibly get throughout the day (which isn't that much, maybe a can of tuna and a 42g protein shake). I can't think of any way to get bigger other than creatine, which at first I was iffy about. I've researched it and all of the things that I was iffy about aren't true.

So, are there any pearls of wisdom you guys would like to bestow upon me?

yes...yes... i know... LOTS OF WATER!!!

[Jonny 2x4]

Well, I have a quick question. I'm going on Accutane on monday, my last resort as far as acne goes, and I was doing my research and came across http://www.acne.org/accutane.html that. Particularly noting the problems with joints (never heard of this before). Should I maybe wait to take this creatine until after I'm done with the Accutane regimen?

If so, can I cancel my order and order it at a later time (so there's less of a chance of the creatine going "bad")?

[massbuildr]

Creatine does have an expiry date, but it's usually good for a year or more after packaging. Since Accutane cycles are normally for about 6 months, you should be fine.

That being said, I can't see how creatine would have any negative reaction or increase any side effects associated with Accutane. Although, both tend to dehydrate... so you'll have to be careful with that.

If I were you I'd talk to your derm about it. Tell him/her that you were planning on taking creatine and were wondering if it were okay to take while on Accutane. I'd bring him/her a print out of what creatine does, because he/she may not know much about it.

Good luck.

[Jonny 2x4]

I figure if I drink about a gallon of water a day, I should be allright.

Also, I should take this creatine in a glass of juice (is cran-rasberry allright? it's my favorite )? The book I have "The Body Sculpting Bible for Men," says that loading phases are basically pointless, and that the best way to take creatine is 2.5g before work-out and 2.5g after. Is this a good way to go?

[massbuildr]

Yeah, the loading phase is generally considered pointless.

Personally, I take all 5g AFTER my workout. But I know some guys like to split it up. I don't think it makes that much of a difference.

I think the cran-raspberry is fine. You just need to make sure you have some sugar/dextrose to transport the creatine into your muscles.

[jgriffith]

Not sure where you guys heard the loading phase is pointless, the point of the loading phase is to saturate your muscles w/ the supplement, without doing that it'll take you more than a month to saturate them, where is the benefit in that??

5 grams seems fairly light to me as well especially 2.5 before, 2.5 after, never heard of anyone doing that, maybe I'm way off here.

As far as your protein intake Jonny, it needs to be higher than that, you're only getting about 75 grams per day. Seems like you could do more to up your intake, eat some chicken, eat any other kind of meat, there are also many other types of food that contain protein. If you're struggling to maintain your weight then you are still burning more than you are taking in, even if you are eating like crazy, so eat crazier.

[Lee J B]

1) With that protein intake and your stats your not going anywhere, creatine will not directly make you bigger, it's primary job is to store water not promote growth.

2) Don't take it whilst on accutane.

[massbuildr]

Originally Posted by Lee J B

.
2) Don't take it whilst on accutane.

How come? Do you have a specific medical reason?

Just curious.

[Gooseneck]

You need to multiply that protein intake by about 3, and thats what you should be taking in daily. You say you eat like crazy yet you're only taking in a little bit of protein. What exactly are you eating then ??

Diet is 80% of bodybuilding. Taking in more food is not easy. You need to gradually go one step at a time and train your body to accept the calories. If you eat one meal a day now, there's no way you can up it to 5 and not get sick. This takes time and you need to re-evaluate your diet setup. Let us know what you eat on a typical day and we'll see if we can help.

[VWvr6]

I tried Creatine for a summer. While I did gain weight and did grow some mass I lost all my cuts from the water retention. If your just interested in gaining weight and don't care about loosing your definition then it works pretty good.

With that being said, I believe what the guy said just above my post is the best advice.

[Lee J B]

Accutane contains extremely high amounts of Vit A whilst also being harsh on joints, the extra water rentention will cause real bad stress on already slacking cartilage .... I found that out the hard way...also, ever read the massive sheet of stuff you shouldn't do on accutane ? Physical exercise is one of them and probably one of the most important ones ... especially if your weight training, if you went upto a doctor and told him you were going to exert extreme physical activity like weight training and also take forms of supplements whilst on accutane he would be very reluctant to prescribe it you.

[Jonny 2x4]

Well, my acne is not that bad and I will only be on accutane for 30 days. I just got the Creatine in the mail today, so I'll just wait until my month of accutane is up and then i'll start the creatine. In the mean time, I need to somehow establish a good diet, and I know I need help on this. Here's a typical day:

Breakfast:
Bowl of Cereal and a Glass of Orange Juice

Lunch:
a) Turkey + Cheese Sandwich, chips, and some form of dessert.

or

b) Triple-decker peanut-butter sandwhich on whole wheat bread with cheez-its

Supper:
Usually whatever my step-mom makes which is either:

a) fish and chips (fries)

or

b) shells with hamburg in them (pasta shells)



For every meal, I drink water and sometimes milk.





I know know know i need help with my diet in order to bulk up. I don't know much about cooking or what products are good and what aren't. I don't want to dump all of this on you guys, but if you could give me some sort of idea of what I should do (i can't make it too expensive). Thanks!

[Luca Brasi]

Andro will cause acne, it made my chest break out pretty bad. I think creatine is pretty safe in terms of acne but i'm no expert.

[BenT]

Originally Posted by VWvr6

I tried Creatine for a summer. While I did gain weight and did grow some mass I lost all my cuts from the water retention. If your just interested in gaining weight and don't care about loosing your definition then it works pretty good.

With that being said, I believe what the guy said just above my post is the best advice.

Seems he's trying to gain weight, rather than get cut.

[Jonny 2x4]

yeah, i am already cut out of my mind