Originally Posted by
Euby
Aaron, hate to hear about your struggles but understand them for sure. Happens to everyone at times. Do you have access to a leg press machine? I've heard Jordan say he prefers the leg press in many programs as a supplemental squat variant since it gives the low back a break. You can get some volume on the hips and legs. In fact some of his recently released templates have them included in the early weeks in some spots.
Is the low back issue just showing up in the workouts for you, or do you have a persistent issue with it on off days? I ask because my low back is screaming after many of this workouts. If feels kind of like having a pump but in your low back it isn't pleasant feeling at all. Still, a few hours after the workout it has mostly resided, though I'll feel a deep fatigue into the next day if I try to do much at all in terms of lifting things, or even light yard work. But by the next workout session I'm generally okay, at least I am during non-high stress week. That was fairly brutal all week long.
Good luck with the new job! Sounds like you'll be moving a lot on this job, lifting packages and such I assume. That might take some stress-recovery-adaptation on it's own so take it easy, and try to get more food down if you can. That part is tough sometimes but I have found I really pay the price if I don't get my calories in.