W doesn't seem to care at all about my improvements, except that they allow her to go out more, but so be it.
Exactly! You have tried to improve the things she complained about, but it won't change the heart of a WW. So, forget her complaints. Focus on how you want to improve yourself as a man. Leave her out of your self improvement project.
It is not about what you feel should work in your M. It is about doing the work that gets the right results. Do what works!