re: How much protein should I be taking in?

protein isnt the place to cut. its fat and carbs. protein has a muscle sparing effect and has by far the biggest effect on dietary induced thermogenesis.

for you, start at 150g and actually raise that as you cut calories or replace carb/fat calories with protien.

once you are at 60-65% of calories from protein....pretty much maxed out benefits unless you are doing a psmf.