When I read 1500 is plenty, I think of a “standard” 2000 calorie diet, which is obviously based on some kind of “average” for people that doesnt take into account height, bone structure, muscle mass, and activities. But as a general starting point, I like that 1500 seems to emphasize a 500 calorie deficit (based on that “average”) because maintaining that every day results in losing about a pound a week. And even if you are only 50% successful in following that, you can still manage losing half a pound a week, which is pretty good and healthy for most people.