I Stopped Taking Creatine For 30 Days... The Results are SHOCKING

Introduction

In this article, I'll be discussing my experience of stopping creatine intake over the past 30 days and its impact on my strength and physique. For context, I was taking creatine monohydrate consistently for 60 days before this break. As I was traveling in Thailand throughout January, I couldn't continue my creatine regimen. Let's see how this break affected my gym performance and overall appearance.

Initial Measurements and Plan

Before testing my strength, let's check my weight. Currently, I'm at 131 lbs, which is the lightest I've been since starting creatine. This weight drop is likely due to travel, irregular eating, and high activity levels. I'll compare my physique to when I was taking creatine for 60 days.

For the strength test, I'll perform one AMRAP (As Many Reps As Possible) set for four exercises:

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
Lat Pulldown
Machine Lateral Raises
Faceaway Cable Bicep Curl

Pre-Travel Strength Benchmark

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press: 80 lbs, aimed for 10 reps, achieved 7 reps. Lat Pulldown: 180 lbs, achieved 7 reps. Machine Lateral Raises: Achieved 10 reps. Faceaway Cable Bicep Curl: Using 57.5 lbs, aimed for maximum reps.

Post-Travel Testing

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

Tried to beat 7 reps with 80 lbs. Managed to get 6 reps, possibly due to feeling weak and lighter.

Lat Pulldown

Attempted to surpass 7 reps with 180 lbs. Excelled with 8 reps, showing improvement.

Machine Lateral Raises

Performed 10 reps again, matching my previous record.

Faceaway Cable Bicep Curl

Aimed to perform maximum reps with 57.5 lbs. Achieved 11 reps, an increase from the previous 7 reps.

Analysis

Despite a month off creatine and traveling, I maintained or improved in most exercises except the incline dumbbell bench press. I noticed a significant drop in weight and size, likely contributing to weaker pushing exercises. Yet, my back exercises improved, possibly due to progressing well during the month.

Final Thoughts

The most notable change was my weight and overall feeling of being slightly smaller and less full. My performance varied across exercises, but I wasn't significantly weaker overall. Therefore, I don't need creatine to maintain my strength and physique indefinitely, though it does provide an advantage when taken consistently.

Future Plans

I'll finish my current creatine supply and continue documenting my progress. Considering the health implications, it's essential to take supplements responsibly and do thorough research.

Keywords

Creatine Monohydrate
Strength
Physique
Gym Performance
Supplements
Weight Loss
Muscle Building

FAQ

Q: What exercises did you perform for the strength test? A: Incline Dumbbell Bench Press, Lat Pulldown, Machine Lateral Raises, and Faceaway Cable Bicep Curl.

Q: How did your weight change after stopping creatine? A: My weight dropped to 131 lbs, the lightest I've been since starting creatine, likely due to travel and irregular eating.

Q: Which exercises showed improvement? A: I improved in Lat Pulldown and Faceaway Cable Bicep Curl, while matching my previous record in Machine Lateral Raises.

Q: Did stopping creatine significantly impact your strength? A: Overall, I maintained or improved strength in most exercises, with a slight decline in the incline dumbbell bench press.

Q: Will you continue taking creatine in the future? A: I'll finish my current supply and then decide based on ongoing results and health considerations.