Cardio and Creatine Supplement

kacowgill99

Hi All,

I have been working out regularly again since November, been going strong pretty consistently and really had a great January in the gym. In November and December I was doing light cardio and heavy (beginner) lifting. Since my main goal right now is fat loss, in January I decided to do heavy cardio, and that I did, only lifting rarely. I have been taking a pre-workout supplement regularly since November called C4 Extreme. I like it although it seems to have worn off a little, but when I don't take it I have less energy during workouts. One thing I noticed is one of the main ingredients is Creatine Nitrate and that led me to this question.

Since I am rarely lifting and doing heavy cardio, will taking a supplement with Creatine actually slow my fat loss?

I have lost weight before and this time around it seems to be much slower than before. I have probably been working even harder and been more dedicated this time around than ever. I have seen a loss but not the type of results I got before. To be clear I do feel like the C4 Extreme gives me extra energy that reflects in my cardio workout. I'm not sure if my question even makes sense but I had always heard if you take creatine and don't lift it will turn to fat. Probably one of the many myths but I hope someone can give me some insight.

MuddyEquestrian

I would discuss this with your doctor. Taking something you aren't really sure helps or does anything isn't ever a good thing. If you're not deficient then don't take it. I would get some professional advice!

kacowgill99

I would discuss this with your doctor. Taking something you aren't really sure helps or does anything isn't ever a good thing. If you're not deficient then don't take it. I would get some professional advice!

I'm not as much concerned with the product being bad for me as I am being bad for what I am doing. It is advertized as more of a lifting supplement but I am doing 95% cardio with the goal of fat loss. I've actually looked at the ingredients, and I am just wondering if the Creatine is making my cardio counter productive. It gives me energy with 8 calories per 12 oz, so I don't look at it as something that is bad for me, but it may be bad for the goal I have.

Bakkasan

If it's the kind without the ton of sugar that goes with it, I don't see an issue. It will show as a stall on the scale most likely though. Water retention and all.

kacowgill99

<img src="http://www.cellucor.com/images/product/c4-extreme-supp-facts-large.jpg"&gt;

ilovedeadlifts

plain creatine will not affect your fat loss at all.
you may hold a little water.

RunDoozer

plain creatine will not affect your fat loss at all.
you may hold a little water.

This. It will make you to hold on to water. So drink more than usual

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

Creatine nitrate isn't going to do a thing for you.

Creatine monohydrate, taken on its own 30 minutes before strength, may help your muscles retain water, which will help with the "pump" and possibly with feeding nutrients while the micro-tears heal.

Wouldn't recommend it with cardio at all. You'll just retain water.

Riemersma4

i agree with everyone on creatine nitrate and creatine monohydrate.

However, my question is why are you turn just to cardio for weight loss? Muscels burn more fat for you and they do it 24x7. Adinopectin is a fat eating protein that gets activated with weight training and good nutrition.

I never understood this. Body builders have teh least fat of anyone on the planet and most of the runners and cardio types are still carrying, at the very least, love handles.....

LIFT WEIGHTS TO LOSE FAT!!!!

i do both, lift 4 times a week, HIIT cardio twice a week. 6' 4", 202 lbs. 11.5% BF.

Good luck!

Riemersma4

I would discuss this with your doctor. Taking something you aren't really sure helps or does anything isn't ever a good thing. If you're not deficient then don't take it. I would get some professional advice!

Most doctors these days know so little about nutrition and fitness. it really is sad. i went through 4 or 5 docs before i found one that understood nutrition adn fitness.

baotzu

Creatine is not counterproductive to your cardio.

If you really get into the biomechanics of creatine, you'll see that creatine actually helps your body preserve muscle. Therefore it's probably good that you're taking it... since all you're doing is cardio (which tends to make the body chew through muscle). If taken correctly, it should help spare you from some of these effects. Obviously, it's not going to stop it 100%, especially if all you do is cardio.

Remember, more muscle = more caloric burn = more efficient at burning fat.

Also, creatine is creatine is creatine.. nitrate vs monohydrate... whatevs, the difference isn't noticeable anywhere outside of a lab (and even then it's arguable).

kacowgill99

Thanks for all of the clarification on this question.

i agree with everyone on creatine nitrate and creatine monohydrate.

However, my question is why are you turn just to cardio for weight loss? Muscels burn more fat for you and they do it 24x7. Adinopectin is a fat eating protein that gets activated with weight training and good nutrition.

I never understood this. Body builders have teh least fat of anyone on the planet and most of the runners and cardio types are still carrying, at the very least, love handles.....

LIFT WEIGHTS TO LOSE FAT!!!!

i do both, lift 4 times a week, HIIT cardio twice a week. 6' 4", 202 lbs. 11.5% BF.

Good luck!

Thanks for the reminder. That's the thing, I agree with everything you just said and I know it in my head. That is why I was lifting heavy and doing light cardio before the holidays. I should have stuck with that plan but for some reason I got it in my head that the more calories I could see (i.e. Machine says "800 calories burned") I felt like I was doing more. I know this isn't the case as it would probably benefit me more to do Squats, Deads, Pull-Ups, and Bench Press with some light cardio. I guess I just feel better about working out after a 60 minute cardio session.