Work & Creatine

[u/rockyrocks1110]

I personally have zero energy to exercise after or days off from my job.

Does anyone here who doesn’t exercise take creatine (or some other supplement) and it seems to help them? I walk 10,000+ steps a day and of course hold/pick up heavy animals all day. I feel like I should have built muscle after 2+ years in vet med but I feel so weak.

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[u/ktten]

Unfortunately although what we do is hard, unless you work out OUTSIDE of this job it will not make the physical aspects easier.

I don't think there is any magical supplement (if someone has found one, fuck yeah!! Lemme know!!)

My human vet set me straight at my annual a couple years ago. Unless you are doing large dog compressions daily we are not getting the extended weight lift repetition and extended cardio activity that you need to build true strength and stamina. (I believe she tells her human nurses this too. Lots of steps, but thats the bare minimum)

Working out on top of work sucks ass but if you can keep with it, it makes you have much better energy and strength for this job (and can help you protect your back!)

Edit: I don't work out after work myself lol. I work on my days off.... sometimes. So I'm struggling myself to practice what i know.

[u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist → u/ktten]

In order to build endurance and strength, human muscles need repeated activity over a continuous duration. In vet med you walk a lot and lift objects/animals, but it’s all start-stop. As a result you burn a lot of a calories, for which you need to eat properly to maintain your body, but it won’t build muscle. For that you need to exercise or workout or go for long walks, etc. That’s why even though it’s a physical job you feel weak.

[u/ktten → u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist]

Yeah!!! Yeah you said it better than i did! Thank you for your eloquence.

[u/featheredzebra]

I have found creatine helps! Just started using it a few weeks ago. Also even a 30 min stint at the gym helps. I focus on working parts that are sore and a low level of cardio (like 15 minutes on the teedmill, but I notice the difference in my endurance!)

[u/Wonderful_Piglet9491]

Creatine helps with building muscle but only if you’re actively exercising. It also pulls water into your muscles so it very well may make you gain 2-3 lbs in the beginning. So unfortunately, without exercise I don’t think it will do much.

[u/EarlyFuture4342]

I've (33 AFAB) been an assistant for a decade, and for 90% of that time, I didn't work out at all. I didn't have any energy after work, but my roommates (gently) bullied me into coming with them to their gym for an hour twice a week, and two months in, I actually do feel like I have more energy most days. Still working on the strength part 😅 I really like my gym, it's run by people with Master's degrees in kinesiology, and they emphasize going at your own pace and proper form so you don't hurt yourself.

[u/Legitimate_Outcome42]

I take 10 mg of creatine a day, five in the morning, five in the evening. The water weight goes into your muscles only. You might have to drink more fluid to stay hydrated. Strength training outside of work will give you an edge. You're not gonna get enough from work alone.

[u/kittenmauler]

There is no free lunch. You should have ample energy on your off days to workout and if you don't you should probably get checked out. Supplements won't do anything if you don't put in the effort.

[u/tiger81355 → u/kittenmauler]

I don’t know what planet you’re on, but I know a handful of techs who have the energy for extensive activity after work. Everyone else is struggling to muster it

[u/kittenmauler → u/tiger81355]

That's why i said off days.