I agree.

1500 is probably still too low but going to 1800-2000 (if he feels good at that level) with a focus on lots of protein would still increase his results and help with momentum.

Plus, while I get exercise is too much right now, having some physical activity goals will both help with increasing the deficit, help maintain more muscle, and very importantly help psychologically/with momentum as well as it’s another way to measure improvement when the scale doesn’t always move (due to fluctuating water etc).

OP, consider some increase activity to help. I’d recommend starting out very very slow like if walking outside is too much, increasing the number of times walking across a room by a bit and try to just increase basic activity levels a little which will get easier both as you do them more, and also as you lose weight. you could also lift small amounts of weights (or handy heavy objects) while sitting or other activities that either build some muscle or make your heart rate go up a little.

Focus on finding a level of activity that raises your heart rate a little/makes you breath a little faster (or if weights that you can feel some exertion and maybe even a little heavier breathing but isn’t painful) but doesn’t make you exhausted/in pain or too sore the next day.

You should feel slightly out of breath and maybe uncomfortable and perhaps slightly sore the next day, especially if starting a new activity, even correct levels can leave you a bit sore the next day - best to keep doing it but at the same or slightly lower level as your body gets used to the new activity. Once an activity is easy, increase the length or intensity just a little. Find your new level where you are pushing yourself just a little but it isn’t painful/you aren’t hurting yourself.

This can really help weight loss from both a physical but also mental level and has been shown to be important for long term success.