As July gets closer and closer, Americans across the country are getting ready to celebrate Independence Day with style. And you know what that means: Grilled meats, luscious potato salad, and no small amount of beer and wine. But if you’re in the middle of Phase 2 of the HCG Diet Plan, holidays like these can be devastating to your weight loss momentum.

By sticking to the HCG meal plan, it can be possible to lose 20 or even 30 pounds in a single month, finally getting you that summer body you’ve been looking for.

This year, don’t let the 4^th of July throw you off of your plan. Here are a few tips to sticking to your diet without having to lock yourself in the closet for the weekend:

1.) Drink a ton of water

This is perhaps the single most important tip that we have to offer, and if you’re familiar with our blog, you’ve certainly heard it before. But no matter what kind of weight loss program you’re on, drinking lots of water is one of the best ways to feel full and satisfied throughout the day.

In fact, clinical studies have shown that individuals who drink 16 ounces of water before a meal will consume almost 20% fewer calories than people who don’t.

This is in addition to the numerous other health benefits of being fully hydrated, like extra energy and mental clarity.

2.) Don’t wait too long before your first serving of protein

In cases like these (birthdays, celebrations, BBQs, etc.) it might seem like a good idea to eat nothing earlier in the day, so that you can enjoy your calories with everyone else. But skipping your morning protein serving can make it even more difficult to control yourself later in the day.

Remember: You’re going to be around a lot of delicious food, drinks, and desserts. With a good serving of protein in your belly, you can feel more full and be less likely to break your diet plan.

3.) Get in on the grilling

One of the benefits of the 4^th of July is that you don’t have to go far to find someone with some hot charcoals going. For your second serving of protein, treat yourself to some freshly grilled chicken or steak, seasoned with salt and garlic and enjoyed alongside some grilled vegetables.

Here’s the thing: A lot of diet plans encourage meal prep days, where you cook and portion everything in advance. That’s usually a great idea, but there’s no comparison in flavor when it comes to having your chicken hot off the grill with that light smoky flavor.

Tip: A lot of 4^th of July meats are pre-marinated or rubbed with honey or sugar. Bring your own pre-portioned meat to cook, and most grill masters will happily fire it up for you.

4.) Avoid the beer and wine

It’s easy to convince yourself that you’ve earned a cheat beer or cheat glass of wine. And maybe you have! But the truth is, even a small amount of alcohol increases the likelihood of binge eating, which can derail your weight loss progress by days or even weeks.

Remember: You made the decision to lose weight and get healthier. Sticking to the HCG meal plan is the best way to do that, along with the help of the natural human growth hormone HCG.

Want to learn more about how to drop pounds fast with HCG? Click over to the HCG Buy Direct Blog for tips, tricks, recipes, and much more.