Thanks, Happy New year to you too. I use creatine right up to 4 wks out from a show, when it's time to start considering every possible cause of water retention. That includes any preworkout supps that may contain any of the various forms of creatine. Near the end of a diet, it can become a battle to stay full and get good pumps. Creatine doesn't make a huge difference but I find it does help. It is so cheap, it is easy to afford using it almost year round. I will take a month off here and there. I do think it's important to give you body a rest from any supp that you take.

Usually, I will take about 10g preworkout and an additional scoop post workout when dieting. In the off season, I'll take 10g preworkout and another scoop with bcaa and dextrose, as an intra workout shake. Recently, I've been experimenting with kre alkalyn. I'll use 10g mono preworkout and a scoop of kre alkalyn intra.

If your goal is just to look great with your shirt off, I would continue to use creatine. You can get plenty dry enough to look great in the real world. Just keep drinking lots of water to keep your body flushed.