I was diagnosed with T2 8 years ago first medical as i started to learn to fly.
Lost weight 19.5 stone down to 16.5 stone, no medication.
3 years ago my numbers started to creep up, started on the Metformin & statins,(by the way when you go onto Metformin, all your prescriptions become free of charge) grounded for ONE month only by my AME, no side affects no depression.
Now 15.5 stone, as few have said, cut down on potatoes & bread intake & eat smaller portions, should be ok, i drink 2/sometimes 3 pints of Lager, Sometimes a glass of red wine instead of lager, on a Saturday night with my Pub food & don't seem to have any problems. I Don't drink alcohol during the week as i'm a truck driver on late shifts.
Once on Metformin, you should be on Diabetic eye screening yearly.
Still flying Still have a Class 2 Medical.
Hope this helps.
:-)