Gave up drinking as well, but doing so as I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and it's not like I get enjoyment from it anymore. Trying to lose weight this year, too. Down 9 lbs so far, am hoping to be in the ballpark of 180 by year's end (started out the year on the wrong side of 240), but will be damn glad if I get below 200 again.
Been a bad decade weight-wise, especially as in '13 and '14 I managed to get down from 222 lbs to 149 lbs, albeit the low was way too thin.
No need to fully give it up if you didn't actually want to. Pretty much most spirits are still available to you, and there are a bunch of different beers out now that are highly drinkable, but low in carbs.
Lagunitas day time IPA is only 3 carbs per can. Any light beer is mostly ok. Just about any spirit is ok because there is no sugar or carbs in most of them. My go-to regular beer these days has been Michelob Ultra. Like 2.6 carbs per beer, and actually has decent flavor, and also the Lagunitas stated above.
Only mentioning it in case you actually do get some enjoyment from it still. I was diagnosed diabetic in October. Three days before my 39th bday, of course. Doc said it's basically my genetics and I couldn't really do much to change it.(I had already quit smoking and started losing weight prior to the diagnosis as I was like you and diagnosed pre-diabetic about 18 months before that) My Dad, two uncles, both grandmas, among others all had it. Both sides of the family. Hell, I have cousins that were born with it.
Feel the best I've felt in years after cutting out all sugar and 90% of my carb intake. Essentially on a modified carnivore diet. High protein, high fiber, lots of green veggies. Weight is just melting off by doing that. And I'm still getting to enjoy the occasional couple drinks or beers during a game, or family gatherings/special occasions.
In 3 months since diagnosis I've actually lowered my A1C to pre-diabetic levels. My average blood sugar over the past 90 days is around 114. And I plan on keeping that train rolling. Would ideally like to put it in remission and get off the tablet I'm taking for it. My goal is to get down to 210-215lbs. That would be my 18 year old HS graduation playing weight, and when I was in the best shape of my life. I could probably go anywhere from 200-215 and feel good about it. Weighed in at 233 this morning. Not much left to go.