I think that 1.5 lbs is alot to loose per wk, over training and less rest will mess you up. Personally I would make a total goal, how much per month usually 8-10lbs is a good start. Once your body is at this high level of training it will want to stay there. So when you feel that you've lost the weight and the training slows down your body will start to store fat because of the overload of calorie intake to keep up with the workout.