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As a health editor for the past 30 years, I\u2019ve seen trends come and go. I\u2019ve reported on (and tried!) plenty of them, from Atkins<\/a> and keto to fasting, Peloton and more. So when I saw influencers raving about creatine<\/a>, claiming the supplement (a compound the body uses to fuel muscles) would help me build muscle and improve my focus and energy, I was skeptical\u2014then curious. When the buzz didn\u2019t fade and doctors and dietitians were weighing in with mostly positive reviews, I dug into the research.<\/p>\n Testing it out<\/p>\n I learned that unlike many TikTok trends, creatine is the real deal: Those muscle-building, brain-boosting benefits have been documented in multiple studies. And it\u2019s not just for bodybuilders\u2014it has real benefits for women who want to feel healthy and strong as we age.<\/p>\n Curious, I decided to give it a shot. I picked up Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate, a no-frills brand recommended by a fitness pro I follow on Instagram. It was cheap (about $20 for 100 servings), available on Amazon and it had great reviews. I knew that, as with exercise, consistency is key.\u00a0So every morning I added one scoop (5 grams) of creatine to a glass of water and drank it as I worked out. (I figured if it tasted awful, I\u2019d be less picky mid-workout when I\u2019m genuinely thirsty.)\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been lifting weights several times a week for years. And in 2020, when COVID hit and my gym shut down, I subscribed to the fitness streaming service BODi (formerly Beachbody) and started working out in my basement. I track my progress\u2014how heavy I lift, what feels easier and when I\u2019m finally ready to bump up to heavier weights.<\/p>\n Experts Say This Is the Best Time To Take Creatine for Weight Loss After 50<\/a><\/p>\n Waiting for results<\/p>\n At first, nothing happened. The scale crept up a bit, but I expected that: Creatine increases water retention in cells, leading to temporary weight gain. Plus, my weight always fluctuates, as it does for many women in perimenopause.<\/p>\n Mostly, I tried not to think about it and stuck with my routine of working out, taking walks and eating healthy-ish. I tried a few other brands of creatine, finding others I liked as well, including LTH Power Creating Monohydrate (a supplement created by the people behind Life Time fitness centers), and BodyTech Creatine Monohydrate.<\/p>\n Then it happened<\/p>\n Six months later, I did a deep dive on the app for my smart scale, which tracks everything from body fat percentage to muscle mass. That\u2019s when I saw that I had gained 3 pounds of muscle.<\/p>\n Thrilled, but aware that these scales aren\u2019t fully accurate, I wondered if the creatine had actually worked. With nothing to lose, I kept going. Then, in February, a year after I started, the scale showed my muscle mass was up 7 pounds\u2014and the only change I made was my morning scoop of creatine.<\/p>\n I also noticed that, while I didn\u2019t have the arms of Linda Hamilton<\/a> in her Terminator era (yet!), my arms, shoulders and legs felt firmer and I was lifting heavier weights.<\/p>\n Do I have a huge brain boost to report? No, but I\u2019ve never experienced the brain fog that plagues many women my age. I do feel strong and healthy, so I\u2019m sticking with my scoop, working out and getting ready to break out the tank tops this summer!<\/p>\n Ready for more?<\/b> Subscribe to our YouTube channel<\/a> for video podcasts, health tips and uplifting stories designed for women 40, 50, 60 and beyond.<\/p>\n This article originally appeared in the 5\/4\/26 print issue of Woman’s World.<\/p>\n For more real life health stories, keep scrolling! <\/strong><\/p>\n How I \u2018Cured\u2019 My Tinnitus at 55: What Finally Helped Quiet the Ringing in My Ears<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n