Bill I've dieted enough for 20 people in the last 25 years.

If you weighted 243 and the wife weighted 243 she probably would lose as much as you if she didn't cheat. But there no way a 145 pound person male or female is going to lose as much weight as a 243 pound person especially in the beginning of any diet with very few exceptions. And who knows who's cheating even if the person doesn't realize they are messing up and eating the wrong things if they really are not in tune with the program.