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Posted by u/chickenncarrots路路Cutting

Is creatine worth it on a cut? Water weight dilemma

TL;DR: Is creatine beneficial on a cut, or is the water weight not worth it?

I've been lifting for about 5 years now and I'm currently in a cut. I know creatine can help with strength and muscle retention, but I keep hearing about the water weight it can add. As a busy mom trying to balance fitness and family, I don't want to feel like a balloon when I step on the scale!

I've seen mixed opinions about creatine monohydrate vs HCL, but I'm curious if the benefits really outweigh the water retention when cutting. Is it just temporary weight gain or should I expect a bigger impact on my overall results? I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if anyone has experience with this while cutting!

29 comments

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u/6footdadbod路

Listen, as a dad, I know the struggle. You want to feel light but also want to keep lifting heavy. Just remember, scale weight isn't everything! Look at progress pics and strength instead.

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u/restday_enthusiast路

Also, if you're worried about water retention, try creatine HCL instead. Some people find it causes less bloat. Just experiment and see what works for you!

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u/runningfromcardio路

Real talk, if you're cutting, maybe skip the creatine? Just focus on the basics, like nutrition and cardio, and save the supplements for when you're bulking.

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u/restday_enthusiast路

i get that, but supplements can really help some people! Just do what works best for you. No one size fits all in fitness.

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u/6footdadbod路

Yup, keep lifting! Focus on your family, and don't stress too much about the scale. It will all even out eventually. Stay strong!

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u/mom_of_gains路

I wouldn't cut creatine if I were you. If you're lifting consistently, just monitor your water intake and stay on track. You might be surprised at how it affects your progress.

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u/cuttingseason_2024路

Plus, think about it this way: more strength now means better workouts later when you're off the cut. Win-win, right?

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u/bodyweight_bandit路

Just keep your eye on the prize! Strength and performance over scale weight any day. Get those gains!

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u/powerlifting_ninja路

100% agree! The scale can't tell u how strong you are. Lifts matter more than weight!

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u/whey_addict路

Water weight is so overrated. It's like the scale lies to you while you're getting stronger. Plus, creatine monohydrate is the GOAT for strength gains. i say give it a shot!

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u/cardioisforlosers路

Creatine is like that friend who always shows up but eats all your snacks. You might not want the water weight, but the strength gain is clutch. Just be ready for a bit of bloat.

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u/creatine_supremacy路

Creatine is king, no debate! Yeah, you might hold some water, but it's not as bad as it sounds. The strength gains you'll see are worth it. Just track how you feel during your workouts!

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u/runningfromcardio路

Not gonna lie, bro, if you're looking to cut, water weight might be the least of your worries. Just lift heavy and let the scale be a scale. If you're feeling stronger, that's what matters.

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u/6footdadbod路

Dude, don't stress about the scale too much! As a dad, I've learned that my weight fluctuates based on so many factors. Plus, if you keep lifting heavy, that muscle will still be there when you hit maintenance again!

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u/bodyweight_bandit路

I've been on creatine during cuts too, and honestly, the extra strength is worth it. You might feel a bit bloated initially, but I find that it stabilizes after a week or so. Just focus on those gains!

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u/cuttingseason_2024路

I was super skeptical about creatine when cutting, but it's made a huge difference. I look leaner and still get my lifts in. Just don't freak out about the scale. Progress is progress!

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u/mom_of_gains路

I totally get the concern about water weight. When I was cutting, I added creatine, and while I felt stronger, the scale did jump a bit. It was just temporary, but I was more focused on how I looked and felt rather than the number.

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u/restday_enthusiast路

Water retention can be annoying, but it's usually temporary! If you're feeling good in the gym, that's what matters. Just keep an eye on your diet and stay hydrated, and you'll probably be fine.

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u/runningfromcardio路

Water weight? Man, that's just your body chilling out with some extra hydration. When I was cutting, I barely noticed a difference. If you're looking for muscle retention, creatine is solid! Just don't get hung up on the scale. Focus on how you feel.

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u/powerlifting_ninja路

I honestly think the water weight thing is overblown. If you lift heavy and eat right, the scale will eventually reflect your hard work. Just focus on your PRs!

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u/mom_of_gains路

I totally get your concern about water weight! I was worried too when I started taking creatine. But I found that the benefits in strength and performance during my cut were way more worth it. Just stay hydrated and monitor how you feel.

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u/chickenncarrots路

Meal prep is key! I bulk-cooked meals while cutting, and it made a big difference. Combined with creatine, my workouts felt solid, and my energy was stable. Balance is everything.

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u/restday_enthusiast路

This! Creatine can actually help you push through those tough workouts, and the water weight isn't as bad as people make it sound. Just make sure to hydrate, and you should be fine. Also, it's temporary, so no biggie

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u/bodyweight_bandit路

If you want to see gains while cutting, creatine might just be the secret sauce. Just remember to listen to your body! I always keep my hydration up, and that really helped with the water retention issue. The strength boost is worth it.

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u/chickenncarrots路

As a busy mom, I get it! Between family and fitness, it's a lot. I added creatine during my last cut, and while I noticed a little extra water, I also felt stronger and more energized. Plus, the muscle retention helps in the long run

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u/chickenncarrots路

Oh boy, I can relate! As a busy mom, I was also worried about the scale. But here's the deal: the water retention isn't as dramatic as it sounds. I kept lifting hard and saw great results! Just plan your meals and workouts around your busy schedule.

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u/creatine_supremacy路

If you're getting stronger, who cares about a couple of pounds? I say embrace the creatine! Just don't forget your water intake. It's like trying to lift without snacks.

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u/cardioisforlosers路

Bruh, just lift and forget about the scale! Water weight is just your muscles getting hydrated. Just embrace the creatine gains and kick that scale to the curb for a while. You won't regret it!

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u/creatine_supremacy路

Honestly, creatine is a must for anyone lifting, even while cutting. The water weight is just temporary, and most of it leaves when you start eating at maintenance again. Plus, if you're lifting hard, it'll help maintain strength and muscle! 馃挭

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