I’m sorry to hear that you are having a tough time ♡
Especially if you are feeling overwhelmed, it might be best to make only small changes at a time. You just added exercise and that is definitely great. Alcohol can add sugars and calories and of course can bring a host of other issues. I hope you will find a healthier way to cope with anxiety. I managed a fair bit of my anxiety through self help books and videos, but sometimes the help of a professional is essential.
If you nevertheless want to ask more specifically about IF, ask away. Lots of great contributors here.
I’m in the same position. A while back, I quit alcohol for a month and lost 6 pounds without other changes. Alcohol has a ton of calories, slows down your metabolism, and triggers hunger hormones. I have really bad anxiety too, I haven’t fully quit but things like CBD oil help me, meditation, deep breathing, St John’s Wort. Of course talk to your doctor before taking supplements. Over time, it’s a good thing to know, that alcohol does exacerbate anxiety and depression. So while you feel a soothing dopamine hit when you drink, over time your daily set point of general happiness falls lower and lower. It depletes our brain of feel good neurotransmitters. Try challenging yourself to only 2 nights a week for a few.
The added exercise is a huge step, maybe try adding in intermittent fasting also. The best I’ve found is 20:4 for me personally, so only 4 hours a day eating and drinking anything with calories. Commit to it for 30 days as an experiment, go slowly and work your way up to it. Stay very hydrated also. If that doesn’t do the trick, try counting your calories daily. You can look up your TDEE online, and create a small deficit for yourself to aim for.
So sorry you’re struggling. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but as a fellow anxiety struggler, I’d cut down to 1 drink a night (of not more). A. They’re super empty calories, and B. They’re not helping your anxiety. Go get real help with that. The weight loss will follow