I don't like creatine, but I'm not trying to add a bunch of muscle/water weight. And I'm not an expert. I use Optimum Nutrition Pro Complex for protein. I like that is has a number of different kinds of protein that release at different intervals. Post-workout, I use 2:1:1 Recovery. Really impressed by how well it works. I wouldn't buy either of those from the manufacturer's website, or at a GNC, though. Online discounters (like Amazon) usually have much better deals. I'm down a little more than 40 pounds this year, and for the first time in my life, I can do pull-ups. I have the tall-person problem (I'm ~6'6) mentioned earlier, but now I can do 8-10 of them. I'm also up to 10 miles for running and I plan on doing my first marathon next summer.