when to drop the creatine???

[Popeye]

  Just wondering how close to a show do you guys stop takin creatine???

[Arnold jr]

  Just wondering how close to a show do you guys stop takin creatine???

Personally I never take creatine, don't need it and have never gotten much from it other then a very swollen face.

Some of my buddies who also compete and take creatine usually will drop it around 4-6 weeks before their show.

[Popeye]

  Cool, anybody ever heard of droppin it for a few weeks then loading the last couple days out, to get the muscles loaded, i read about some pro doing this (sounds stupid) anyone ever done this???

[Arnold jr]

  Cool, anybody ever heard of droppin it for a few weeks then loading the last couple days out, to get the muscles loaded, i read about some pro doing this (sounds stupid) anyone ever done this???

Yeah, this sounds pointless. Your carb loading at the end should take care of you "filling" out.

[krazyweels]

  Just wondering how close to a show do you guys stop takin creatine???

If you're natural, keep it in till the end. No need to stop.

[Blockhead]

POPEYE,


  It depends on where you are at(condition-wise) and even what type of creatine...which brand? Is it sugar-fortified?

  I usually go w/ 3-5 grams AFTER training on my training days ONLY during the whole 14 weeks to prep...about 2 weeks out I'd take it out completely just to be on the safe side. In that time your only concern is HOLDING all muscle mass and getting rid of water/fat etc...you arent going to grow anymore in this time. Keep muscle spared by upping protein intake...popping BCAA's like its going out of style and a lots of glutamine. Oh yea...when you are about 2 weeks out...eliminate all sodium from your diet...drink a gallon of water daily...start using EFA's at every meal...veggies at night to dry you out. Sunday before your show...2 gallons daily with carbs in the 50grams daily range up until Thursday...Thursday drop water down to 12-16oz the entire day with carbs up to 200grams spread evenly throughout the day...Friday drop water to only little sips here and there if even that...same sequence w/ carbs...Saturday morning try your wine/viagra thing like I said. That should do it.

[Arnold jr]

If you're natural, keep it in till the end. No need to stop.

Bad idea.

[Popeye]

 why's that bad Arnold jr.?

[Arnold jr]

why's that bad Arnold jr.?

Everyone's disposition to hold water when using creatine is going to be slightly different, but even so you will, no matter who you are, hold at least a small amount when using it. This is not something you want when you are about to get on stage.

[Blake]

Jeff Willet (AST sponsored competitor) would load creatine at 30 grams per day beginning the Wednesday before a show.  Certainly didn't hurt how "dry" he was on stage.  Of course, everyone is different though.