creatine intake

I workout three times a week, and I am thinking about taking creatine.  What is the most effective way to take it?  I know there is loading period, cycling, etc.  Do you have to go through loading period every cycle?  Or is one loading period fine (when taking it for the first time)?  Do you take creatine on non-workout days?  Thank you for taking time to respond.

4 servings a day (of 5 to 6 grams) should be a loading phase of 5 days...to load up your muscles with creatine...research shows that if you mix that with lucose, fructose, or other simple carbohydrates (i.e. fruit juice) you load more into the muscles.
 
After that you should be at 2-5 grams a day.  Do not take extra..it has toxic byproducts in the body and you don't really need it. 
 
The goal is to build up a reserve of phosphocreatine in the muscles, to help them perform on demand and to help the body make new phosphocreatine faster when it has been used up by intense effort.
 
Look at the instructions on your particular creatine..some are mixes of other things.
 
Drink at least 8 cups water a day, preferably 8-12. (2-3 liter)
 
It is not essential to load up the creatine, you will simply take a bit longer (a week or so) to reach "saturation"
Creatine should give you more short term energy for lifting or sprinting type exercisses.  It will also cause your muscle to feel more full from the increased water retention.  Muscles are ~75 water...so this is a nice visual effect. 
 
You muscle fibers are not bigger..but if you do train harder and smart..they will be!
 
Cycling is not necessary.
 
A cautionary note is also advised, for people with kidney disorders and for those at risk for dehydration (such as exercise in extreme heat or during cutting weight for wrestling or lightweight crew)

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But if you are to cycle, do you go through loading phase again (when you begin to take creatine again)?

I do.

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On workout days, I take 5g of creatine after workout.  On NONworkout days, when is the best time of the day to take creatine?

How much of the "visual effect" is lost after taking creatine out of your cycle? same question with strength?

you look a bit tighter or leaner.......thats all.

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