{"id":16279,"date":"2023-06-19T10:27:27","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T15:27:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/?p=16279"},"modified":"2026-03-03T09:25:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:25:38","slug":"i-tried-creatine-for-the-first-time-and-heres-what-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/creatine\/i-tried-creatine-for-the-first-time-and-heres-what-happened.html","title":{"rendered":"I Tried Creatine for the First Time, and Here&#8217;s What Happened"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"16279\" class=\"elementor elementor-16279\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ea7d8e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ea7d8e2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0627fa2\" data-id=\"0627fa2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a82ff98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a82ff98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">Let me be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW233767409 BCX0\">really<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> honest<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> for a moment\u2026 I was never a big believer in <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW233767409 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/performance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW233767409 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">sport performance supplements<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> during my early years as a dietitian. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">Hang tight while I explain. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">Are you shocked? A dietitian who works for <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">one of <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">the most well-known sport supplement <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">companies<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW233767409 BCX0\">saying<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> I <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">wasn\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> a believer<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">! <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">Yes, me too. I am surprised to admit <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">it,<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> but I want to be authentic. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">D<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">on\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> worry <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">though, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">my views changed before I joined GNC! During school I <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">wasn<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> exposed to the supplement industry until I became a sports dietitian a few years after I<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> graduated and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> passed my Registered Dietitian <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">(RD) <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">exam. Just like any profession, on-the-job training supplements<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">your textbook knowledge<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\"> (see what I did there!)<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233767409 BCX0\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW233767409 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-97e668f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"97e668f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-49cbc23\" data-id=\"49cbc23\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-552cc11 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"552cc11\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">While working with athletes, questions about <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">sport <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">supplements, such as pre-workouts, creatine, and more<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> were always asked<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">. Initially I absolutely stood<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">by the philosophy<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW253789018 BCX0\">food<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">i<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">s fuel and supplements <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">weren<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">\u2019<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> needed. I would suggest <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW253789018 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/protein\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW253789018 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">protein supplements<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">as<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> an easy, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">convenient<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> way to meet <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">protein<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW253789018 BCX0\">goals<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> but <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">I\u2019d<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> say the others <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">weren\u2019t<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> necessary. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">Luckily, I am a curious <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW253789018 BCX0\">person<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">I\u2019d<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> do my due diligence as an RD and dig into <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW253789018 BCX0\">the science<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">. A whole new world was opened to me! I started coaching my athletes on ways to use supplements to improve <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">performance, like power, strength, recovery<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">and promote a healthy foundation<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">A<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">lways <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW253789018 BCX0\">ensuring<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\"> the supplements had been tested for banned substances before I would give my approval. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">It was <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">a game-changer<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW253789018 BCX0\">! I am so thankful for my athletes asking those questions and helping me learn more.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW253789018 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-389392c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"389392c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-600e45a\" data-id=\"600e45a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e8b9f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3e8b9f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/muscle-builders\/creatine\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"882\" height=\"368\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Shop-Save-On-Creatine-Supplements-GNC.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-19144\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Shop-Save-On-Creatine-Supplements-GNC.png 882w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Shop-Save-On-Creatine-Supplements-GNC-300x125.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Shop-Save-On-Creatine-Supplements-GNC-768x320.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 882px) 100vw, 882px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b4e311 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9b4e311\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Shop All Creatine Supplements at GNC<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24a665b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24a665b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2d470a1\" data-id=\"2d470a1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70bd04f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70bd04f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">Now I am<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> going to be <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">transparent<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">again <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">with you all\u2026 I only ever used a basic <\/span><\/span><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW55603449 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/vitamins-supplements\/multivitamins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW55603449 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">multivitamin<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> and protein supplements before starting with GNC! I believed the science behind the<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">port performance <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">ingredients but<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> were not necessary for me. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">I was not an elite athlete<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">running<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> a marathon, power lift<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">ing<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">, or <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">trying to maximize my vertical <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">jump!<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\"> I <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">was <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">just trying to stay fit for everyday life<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW55603449 BCX0\">But after diving more into the research of creatine, I was curious how it would change my workouts.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW55603449 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-20b029a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"20b029a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46d83ef\" data-id=\"46d83ef\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5844474 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5844474\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">I <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW177146249 BCX0\">workout<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> 6-7 days per week with one of those day<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">s<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> being a light, active day. The other 5-6 days include weightlifting, circuits, and high-intensity intervals\u2026. ALL the styles of exercise <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">that would <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">benefit<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> from creatine supplementation. Now again, my personal goals are to just <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">maintain<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> my weight (<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">maybe lean<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> out a little more but not be shredded<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">) and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> push my body a little harder every workout. After reading A LOT of creatine research\u2026 I was convinced! I had to try it personally<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">. T<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">here was too much science to support the outcomes. And as an RD, I am all about the scientific evidence! So, I told my <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">colleagues<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\"> I was going to drink the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW177146249 BCX0\">kool<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW177146249 BCX0\">&#8211;<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW177146249 BCX0\">a<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW177146249 BCX0\">id<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">\u201d<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">\u2026 well actually <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">drink the <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW177146249 BCX0\">creatine!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW177146249 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ba891c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5ba891c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e76f25e\" data-id=\"e76f25e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c60bf6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c60bf6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Starting My Creatine Supplementing<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-55873dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"55873dc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-46d72b0\" data-id=\"46d72b0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95ffbf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95ffbf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My journey with creatine monohydrate supplementation started with a loading phase for 7 days then a maintenance phase. This is the standard protocol to achieve muscle saturation in both men and women. There is no specific protocol for <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">creatine dosing for women<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Curious about creative dosing guidelines? Check out our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/fitness\/the-ultimate-guide-to-creatine-dosing.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ultimate Guide to Creatine Dosing<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> article.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During my loading phase, I consumed 20 grams of creatine daily, divided into 4 doses of 5 grams each. I used our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/creatine-1\/509680.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. While we offer a large variety of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/muscle-builders\/creatine\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">creatine supplements<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, I chose the single ingredient, unflavored creatine from Pro Performance. Each scoop was 5 grams, where others were 2-3 grams or had additional ingredients added. I really wanted to see how adding just creatine to my normal routine would possibly change my fitness.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During my loading phase, I had to set a reminder on my phone to take the creatine and not forget. What I found most difficult was drinking the full amount of water with the creatine. I had to sip on it instead of just gulping it down like a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/performance\/pre-workout-supplements\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">pre-workout supplement<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. One thing to keep in mind is creatine needs to be mixed with a good amount of water.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4c99830 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4c99830\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b97035\" data-id=\"7b97035\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf25e27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bf25e27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Creatine Phases and My Experience<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-446017f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"446017f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7e2d551\" data-id=\"7e2d551\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8647164 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8647164\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During the loading phase, I found myself being able to push a little harder on my last few reps or sprints. I also noticed a little more \u201cbloating\u201d but that is typical from retaining more water. A function of creatine helps provide hydration to cells in the muscle and water retention appears at first but long-term no changes to our total body water weight occurs. I wasn\u2019t overly concerned about this feeling. Again, it might have been a placebo since I know the science!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After 7 days, I began a maintenance phase with 5 grams per day. During the month of maintenance, I did find myself being able to push harder during my workouts and ultimately, I feel like I have gained strength. I did not weigh myself before and after this mini experiment, but my workout efficiency improved. As I continue taking creatine daily, I tracked my workouts and the weight I pushed in the gym. I increased the total volume of my training and increased the weight I was squatting, dead lifting, and bench pressing. Now, creatine may not have contributed to these new strength gains, but being able to push through more volume helped improve my strength.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I also found I was able to sprint longer at my max speed and go an extra round in my circuits. Of course, these are just observations I made myself and tracked throughout the month. It should also be noted, I eat a well-balanced diet which helps support physical activity.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After drinking the \u201ckool-aid\u201d for a couple months now, I can certainly say I am officially a crea-liever! Creatine monohydrate has now become part of my normal routine.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f677fa3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f677fa3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6ea4994\" data-id=\"6ea4994\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb8a648 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cb8a648\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Supplements: What Else is Part of My Creatine Routine<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-204bf2e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"204bf2e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b79ba05\" data-id=\"b79ba05\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f69d1b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f69d1b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">After a month of creatine monohydrate supplementing, I began adding in other supplements. Here is a roundup of my daily supplements:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"0\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GNC\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/multivitamins-for-women\/202021.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Women\u2019s Ultra Mega Active Multivitamin<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most days my diet is not perfect and a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/vitamins-supplements\/multivitamins\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">multi<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> helps fill nutritional gaps.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/triple-strength-fish-oil\/735336.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">GNC\u2019s Fish Oil<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I am not a huge fan of seafood but know the importance of, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/vitamins-supplements\/fish-oil-omegas\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">fish oil<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, EPA and DHA, healthy fats found in fish<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/powders\/542520.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Vital Proteins<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I have a hard time meeting my daily protein needs and this is an easy way to start my morning with a source of protein, I add 1 scoop of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/beauty-skin-care\/collagen\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">collagen<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to my morning coffee<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GNC\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/creatine-1\/509682.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Pro Performance Creatine Monohydrate<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> + <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/amino-acids\/525204.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Beyond Raw Precision BCAAs<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I like combining 1 scoop <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/muscle-builders\/creatine\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">creatine<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> of each and drink it on my way to the gym. I found the BCAAs helps the creatine dissolve and taste better! Plus, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/muscle-builders\/amino-acids\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">BCAAs<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> help fuel muscles!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/hydration-electrolytes\/678308.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Amplified Hydration<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is my recovery drink after working out because it has <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/energy\/hydration-electrolytes\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">electrolytes<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and Boswellia which has been shown to reduce muscle soreness.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"-\" data-font=\"Calibri\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335551671&quot;:0,&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;-&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/whey-protein\/527932.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ghost Coffee Ice Cream Protein Powder<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1440,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is my favorite <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/protein\/protein-powder\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">protein powder<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to mix in with an afternoon iced latte, it\u2019s extra coffee flavor and a boost of protein<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d6edba4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d6edba4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9cba01c\" data-id=\"9cba01c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44e6a27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"44e6a27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9977-768x1024-blog-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-19143\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9977-768x1024-blog-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9977-768x1024-blog.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6180b7e\" data-id=\"6180b7e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92a22f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"92a22f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9976-768x1024-blog-225x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-19142\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9976-768x1024-blog-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/IMG_9976-768x1024-blog.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c5aaf8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c5aaf8c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-88cceec\" data-id=\"88cceec\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c241b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c241b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Overall, my sport supplement routine as a dietitian has changed significantly from my early days as a newbie. I like to get creative with incorporating my daily maintenance dose of creatine into my routine and a current favorite is a Creatini at night! Check out this recipe: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnc.com\/learn\/recipes\/creatini-mocktail.html\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Crea-Tini Mocktail\u00a0<\/span><\/a><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you want to start a creatine routine, my advice\u2026 try it and see how your body responds. You might just feel like you can sprint a little longer, and ultimately feel stronger!\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-199f727 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"199f727\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-339294d\" data-id=\"339294d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fefd5ee elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fefd5ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let me be really honest for a moment\u2026 I was never a big believer in sport performance supplements during my early years as a dietitian. Hang tight while I explain. Are you shocked? A dietitian who works for one of the most well-known sport supplement companies saying I wasn\u2019t a believer! Yes, me too. I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":16283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2165],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>I Tried Creatine for the First Time, and Here&#039;s What Happened | GNC<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Brittany Johnson PhD, MS, RDN, CSSD, tries creatine supplements for the first time. 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