Avatar Appearance

OK. We're getting there.
Well, I'm getting there. You know how some people lie about their age and say they're younger than they are? I tend to say I'm older than I am. That way the response is usually 'You look good for your age' and not 'What happened to you?'
Well, same goes for Second Life. I've discovered how to fiddle with my avatar. Well, with his appearance, anyway.
And I thought that if I make him (it) as ugly as possible (though still believable, no purple skin and pointy ears for my guy!), then if people meet me in SL and then in real life, I'm hoping the response will be 'Oh - you look better than your avatar'.
I say this as I've already seen press images of people and their avatars and there is so much wishful thinking involved... yes I'd like to lose weight. But I don't want to realise that through my avatar. No... my avatar will be a constant reminder of what could happen if I'm not careful!
If anyone is ever interested, my name on Second Life (named, if you're bothered, after an ancestor) is:
Seosamh Houston.
See you there...but you might still find me grooming in my 'toilet'!