Page 52 of Set on You

CRYSTAL:[Jazz-hands wave] Hey everyone! Thanks so much for having me, Mel.

MEL:Of course. I’ve posted about it on my channel before, but in case some of you are new, Crystal and I met because I booked her as my trainer last month. [Turns to Crystal] You take pleasure in making me work out until I nearly puke, don’t you?

CRYSTAL:Hey, I’m just trying to get results. And you’re doing amazing, by the way. [Looks at camera] She started off not being able to do one push-up. Now she can do twenty.

MEL:[Scoffs] Barely. But anyway, I love your style. [Camera pans to a rack of Crystal’s favorite outfits] I see a lot of comfortable, yet super-chic outfits. Lots of jersey dresses, denim jackets, and very neutral tones.

CRYSTAL:Yeah. I mean, I’m also not a size two. Girls like us can’t just walk into any store and pull whatever we want off the rack. Anyone who isn’t straight-sized knows that tailoring is your friend. But it can get expensive. That’s why I love fabrics that are versatile.

MEL:Can you tell me how you choose pieces?

CRYSTAL:Back in college, I used to buy tons of clothes from Forever 21 and those types of stores. They’re great prices, but I found they weren’t as durable.

MEL:Right. It’s hard to find high-quality clothing that’s affordable.

CRYSTAL:So, lately, I’ve been trying to buy less, but higher quality. [Thumbs through clothing rack] I have a couple neutral staples, like this pencil skirt, or this gray dress, a plain white T, black jeggings, all things that can be matched with anything.

MEL:I totally agree. Having your staple pieces is so important. I’m a big fan of a simple black dress.

CRYSTAL:Yeah, for sure. I mean, my job is fitness, so truthfully, I spend a lot of time in my Lulus. But with summer coming, I want to start wearing more light dresses.

MEL:Do you have any advice for fellow curvy women?

CRYSTAL:I don’t ever want to speak for all curvy women. I’m just speaking from my own experiences. But society tells us we can’t wear certain things. So many brands don’t actually carry sizes larger than ten. And if they do, they’re more expensive. But there are some amazing brands out there. I can link them below in the comments. But really it’s about finding your own personal style. As with fitness, you have to figure out what works for you and your body. As important as confidence and embracing your body are, you have to be comfortable with what you’re wearing to feel confident.

MEL:I think that’s great advice. It goes for all women, regardless of size.

CRYSTAL:For sure.

MEL:Let’s check out your closet.

[Mini montage of Crystal modeling various outfits]

MEL: Well, thank you so much for a peek into your closet. It was great having you! [Turns to face camera] Thanks for watching, guys. Make sure to follow Crystal for amazing advice on how to embrace your body and live your best healthy life!

Comment by_RobinAnne_Mc: You guys are adorable! Love Crystal. More vids together please.

Comment byDanthegamer_384: Melanie is fake af. Go blow up your lips more.

Reply byCurvyFitnessCrystal:@Danthegamer_384Do you have nothing better to do than make rude comments on other people’s appearance?

Comment byCourtneyG-1324: y do we feel the need to constantly give fat people reassurance that they look good in clothes that don’t fit them properly

Reply byAquariusgirly:@CourtneyG-1324people like u are the reason. Crystal and Mel u look amazing!!

Reply byCurvyFitnessCrystal: Thank you@Aquariusgirly.

chapter eighteen

THE DUMBBELL HITStherubber mat at my feet with a louder-than-intendedthud.Patty, the chronic complainer, clasps her chest as if I’ve stolen her virtue. She’s perched on the bench nearby like a queen, dabbing her perfectly dry forehead with a royal-blue gym towel.

Scott treats me to a discreet eye roll, gently placing his own dumbbells next to mine. We’re cooling down with a few strength-training sets after a deadly Girl Power Anthem–themed spin class. Unsurprisingly, Scott was the only dude in the class. I assumed he’d be too macho for it, but with much pleasure, he basked in the not-so-subtle attention from ladies.

“You okay?” he asks. “You’re doing that thing with your jaw. The thing you do when you’re pissed.”

I make a point to soften my frosty expression, while refraining from grinding my teeth to stubs. “Yeah. People are dicks.”

“What’s going on?” He sits on the mat and pats the space beside him.

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