If you are just starting, SKIP THE SUPPLEMENTS for now. Condition your body first. If you are new to lifting, gains will come quickly at first anyway. When you start to plateau, then supplementing with creatine may be beneficial. Before then, it really is wasted money. After working out you need to have a shake that has protein and carbs (simple carbs are best). Carbs really are important here since the workout depleated your glycogen stores and you need to replenish them to start the repair process. A carb

rotein ratio of about 60:40 is pretty good.
And yes... you want to increase you caloric intake to put on mass. Not necessarily everything in sight (unless you're a hard gainer =]) but at least up 500 calories a day. Get around 1g protein per pound of body weight and the rest complex carbs and healthy fats.
Just my $0.02
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Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins
[This message has been edited by Naxis (edited 01-09-2003).]