With hcg there is a catch to it. When u go on the 500 cal diet you take all sugar and carbs away from your body. When you come off you slowly have to reintroduce your body to carbs and sugar, or you will blow up like a house like we all did. There isn't any type of restrict or to stop us from eating what we want. Also, as far as using hcg you purchased awhile ago it might not work. The hcg syrum has a potency and if it sits for to long I guess you can say it spoils. When I did hcg I used the injections that were prescribed by a dr. Here in Chicago where I live.