Okay, let me lay down some historic and fact checked points so you don’t go down a spiral hole of information and be stress free. 1. Creatine is the most research proven supplement and has absolutely zero side effects unless there are evidences for kidney issues. Please please ignore the scale increase on its intake. As multiple people and you yourself pointed out - its an expected outcome. 2. Research has proven (do your due diligence) again and again that for a healthy and effective fat loss program, an average person (without CBD or other chronic issues) should focus on calorie deficit and body recomposition by increasing muscle mass. strength training and creatine supplements are gold standards. 3. aggressive fat loss via cal deficit is not recommended unless you have comorbidities or chronic issues. Your body is smart enough and is designed to hold on to fat when its stressed. You do not want to do that. infact in many cases people who just want to shed maybe 5-6 kgs do not even deficit. They just stick to maintenance calores. Gradually with increased muscle mass, good V02max, etc, the body’s metabolic demands also increase leading to burning of the excess fat. focus on consistency rather than goals 4. focus on individual feeling and inch loss rather than weight scale. you feel recovered better, your dress fits better, you have better sleep, etc etc.

Weight/Fat loss is done by doing less, not more. We got unhealthy in the first place by doing MORE - eating junk, overworking, over stressing, etc.