Creatine & Me: One Man’s Journey

By guest blogger and fitness consultant Mike Jones

Creatine is one of those “must haves” for guys like me who are looking to build lean, healthy muscle and need that extra boost when working out.

A few months ago, I hit a wall with my workouts. No matter what I did, I wasn’t getting any bigger.

As a fitness expert, I know just about every supplements, powder and even cream to gain more muscle mass. Whey protein shakes, a diet filled with vegetables, lean meats (which creatine is naturally found in), and fish has always got me the results I wanted.

After turning 35, I wanted to push myself and add more mass to my frame. Even though I worked out rigorously, I still couldn’t quiet get the desired results.

I tried other muscle building supplements and shakes in the past. Honestly, the only thing they got me were unwanted trips to the bathroom. Many fitness buffs rave over creatine, and how effective it is at making bigger, fuller muscles and speeding up workout recovery. I decided to dive headfirst and try this much talked about powder.

Why I Use Creatine Monohydrate Powder

Creatine acts as a daily muscle volumizer. It pulls all the moisture out carbs and fluids, making muscles bigger and workout recovery a normal body process.

Creatine is great for high intensity training or explosive activity. After 2 weeks, I noticed its anaerobic benefits really gave me a tremendous boost during workouts.

When Do I Take Creatine?

If you go online, you will find conflicting information on which time is best to take creatine. Some say before, some say after, while others say during your workout. I tried all of the above scenarios, but taking creatine after a workout was best for me.

I add my Raw Barrel No Bull Creatine to my post workout smoothie:

Berry Blast Creatine Shake

6-8oz of beverage of your choice. I prefer orange juice

1- handful of blueberries

1-handful strawberries

1/2cup of ice

1 serving of creatine

This shake really helps me to recover because berries are a rich source of antioxidants which help to prevent and repair damage to body’s tissues. And zinc increase muscle strength and increases testosterone for even further muscle development. Next week I’ll be sharing some similar recipes, be sure to check it out!

How Much Creatine Should I Take?

That is all determines upon your health goals. When introducing a new supplement to your body, it’s always wise to take it slow.

3-5g a day is a good amount to keep in your system for those muscle volumizing results.

When you take too much creatine you’ll just be oversaturating your body and it’s no longer becomes beneficial. For me, creatine lived up to it’s lean muscle mass building promises. My journey has been complete with creatine on board. In combination with exercise, and healthy diet; Creatine can be quiet effective in giving you bigger muscle and more energy during your workout.

We would like to hear from you. Please let us know about your creatine journey in the comments below or on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rawbarrelsupplements