The metrosexual side of getting fit

[Jereth]

I cycle creatine for about 8 weeks at a time. I wouldn't go over 2-2.5 grams a day seeing as I already eat quite a lot of beef and fish. Let me tell you it really helps in the gym. Additionally, I've heard of many people taking as much as 10grams a day for very prolonged periods of time(not intentional, they just had no clue what they were doing) and they are still perfectly healthy.

Stay away from protein and creatine though lest you wish to join the piles of corpses littering gym floors country wide.

Theres a thread here somewhere where one poster advocated using anabolic steroids...

Perhaps you should read that thread again.

[holdfast]

get the protein into you. but dont go over 2g per kg

[Docman]

I'd very much disagree.

You are entitled to your opinion. I disagree with it and would advise the average person to stay well away from it. Most Fitness Specialists and Dieticians would also. But it is a free country. Different story for professional athletes.

Olympic level is a bit high, but definitely you should not be taking it unless you are a professional/sportsperson being advised by a professional.

[Hello Alaska]

Most dieticians and fitness specialists do not agree. Protein and Creatine can cause a lot of harm if used incorrectly and it should only be taken with supervision. Yes, it will help build muscle etc. (Creatine creates the wrong type of energy for most people but the advertising won't tell you that) but too much of it can cause immense damage to your kidneys. Should only be taken in correct amounts.

Most fitness specialists will not advise it as there are far safer sources of protein which will do the job. Supplements should only be taken when you are doing workouts far beyond the average gym session - ie. Olympic level.

Creatine is for sprinters and heavy weight lifters as it gives you a lot of extra energy over a very short period of time. Again, I'm talking Olympic Level stuff.

I'd very much disagree.

You do not need to be at an Olympic level of competition to be taking supplements. I know military personnel, personal trainers, GAA players, power lifters and SF personnel that all take supplements without any adverse affect.

Creatine will cause damage t your kidney's if you take ridiculous amounts. Any sensible person that has taken Creatine will know that you merely cycle on and off after 6-8 weeks. Even then, it will only be prolonged use over a period of quite a few years before kidney's would start to suffer. And personally, why anyone would use Creatine for years would be beyond me.

As for Protein, I'd be quite bemused at why fitness specialists would advise against it. Whey Protein isn't dangerous at all, if it was it wouldn't be used across most sports these days and soldiers wouldn't be using it in the DF.

[Docman]

Anti Creatine is understandable, as it is still a somehwat unknown entity.

As for Whey Protein, I don't know how anyone could write negatively about it. It's merely a dietary supplement, it's harmless.

Most dieticians and fitness specialists do not agree. Protein and Creatine can cause a lot of harm if used incorrectly and it should only be taken with supervision. Yes, it will help build muscle etc. (Creatine creates the wrong type of energy for most people but the advertising won't tell you that) but too much of it can cause immense damage to your kidneys. Should only be taken in correct amounts.

Most fitness specialists will not advise it as there are far safer sources of protein which will do the job. Supplements should only be taken when you are doing workouts far beyond the average gym session - ie. Professional level.

Creatine is for sprinters and heavy weight lifters as it gives you a lot of extra energy over a very short period of time. Again, I'm talking Olympic Level stuff.

[The real Jack]

Theres a thread here somewhere where one poster advocated using anabolic steroids...

[Hello Alaska]

Greyfox, I'm anti creatine so I wont say a word to influence you one way or another, but the more I try to find about protein supps especially whey protein it seems like everything I read in favor is shot down 2 minutes later by something else just be careful with especially seeing as you are noticing good results

Anti Creatine is understandable, as it is still a somehwat unknown entity.

As for Whey Protein, I don't know how anyone could write negatively about it. It's merely a dietary supplement, it's harmless.

[Hello Alaska]

ive doing a bit of weight training recently , am using whey powder and have had some good results was thinking of taking creatine anyone any experiance of it ? or is it worth my while ?

You should make some good gains while using Creatine, certainly in the first couple of weeks.

Keep in mind though, you'll keep your strength gains but when you stop taking it, you will lose some of the size you gained due to water retention.

Also, you will have to up your water intake while you cycle through Creatine or you may well end up suffering from cramps and dehydration.

[ZULU]

Been training pretty hard lately. Circuits 4 times a week + runs + random activity on weekends (read surfing/sailing/sea swimming etc)

Have lost a shite load of fat and have started to put back on the muscle. Currently weighing in at 93kg.

No supplements being taken other than multi vitamins and barocca to keep the colds away during training. Eating plenty of fruit and veg, reducing the fatty foods and cut out the beer, save two bottles as a reward each weekend.

[CS Gass]

Greyfox, I'm anti creatine so I wont say a word to influence you one way or another, but the more I try to find about protein supps especially whey protein it seems like everything I read in favor is shot down 2 minutes later by something else just be careful with especially seeing as you are noticing good results

[greyfox]

ive doing a bit of weight training recently , am using whey powder and have had some good results was thinking of taking creatine anyone any experiance of it ? or is it worth my while ?

[Hello Alaska]

Even a relatively healthy diet will bring in the amount of protein you need, that sort of excess burdens the kidneys dangerously

Look at how many athletes particularly ones needing a lot of muscle mass fcuked up their kidneys

From what I've read over the last week or so, the protein shakes thing is up for debate but I'm inclined to side with the 'steer clear' crowd

If you're doing any kind of serious training, it's highly unlikely that a "relatively healthy diet" will give you the amount of protein you need.

[Jereth]

Sadly, yes it has. But it's worth noting that top nutritionists and doctors in these sports have not radically changed anything in the diets being used by top strength and performance athletes in the last 7 or 8 years.
This tells me that Lomu's condition was more than likely an underlying genetic problem or maybe he did consume ludicrously high amounts of protein(or both...)

Such suggestions will always be made by those stuck in past stigma in these circumstances.

[CS Gass]

Not to be a d**k about this, but can you show me any of these athletes that ****ed up their kidney's by excessive protein intake...?

Has it not been suggested that Jonah Lomu's kidney probs was the result of excess protein intake?

[Jereth]

For anyone even slightly interested, green tea is an excellent addition to anyones diet. The list of health benfits are endless. Here's a short snap of info taken from an article on a site that I frequent:
3.) Green tea (metabotrop) - aside from the many health benefits - including being an excellent antioxidant as well as an anticarcinogen - green tea has a host of powerful effects that make it very helpful for dieting. This includes burning fat directly via beta oxidation, increases metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. Green tea is also in a class of natural substances known as adaptogens. Adaptogens are known for their ability to help the body combat stress and fatigue as well as maintain homeostasis and well-being.