You say that you are in love with her. You also say that she is gorgeous, intelligent, and an independent woman. So far so good.
Then the next moment you accuse her of being so shallow that she will put down your proposal because of your financial status or for your looks. Who falls in love with a gold digger anyway.
Why is it hard for you to fathom that the reason she might refuse is because she never thought of you in a romantic context or she has different plans for her life than spending it all on you. There could be a million other reasons. Never project your own insecurities onto someone else.
You are working on your financial situation and your physique, trying hard to be the man that you think she deserves, I like you already. Besides you have the added advantage that she is your friend. Talk to her, tell her that you are in love with her. Ask her to think about it for a while and that you would be totally okay if the feeling is not mutual.
Learn from the mistakes of others and take it form me, the regret of not asking someone is infinite times more than getting put down.
If she rejects you, you know where you stand. You can choose to be in love with her forever or move on with your life. But it literally kills you slowly and painfully everyday when you return to your lonely life and ask yourself "What if ........."
If you cannot put a little faith in the people you love, what good are they!
