With the sun shining and the weather heating up, it’s hard to motivate yourself to spend an hour inside a dark and smelly gym. At the same time, if you’re not into running, getting a good workout outdoors isn’t always easy. Or fun. So what can you do to take in the beautiful summer weather and burn some serious calories?

Join a summer sports league.

It doesn’t matter if you are living in a big city, or crashing with the parentals in suburban America – you can find a summer sports league near you. They range from softball to dodgeball (and everything in between) and are a great way to meet people, get a little workout, and have a really good time doing it.

I spent last summer playing kickball twice a week. Sure, kickball requires a lot of standing around (especially when your team is full of boys who can’t stand losing and thus do most of the work for you), but we’d do some warm up runs (serious calorie burning), I’d run at least one base every time I kicked (serious calorie burning), and there were many times that bright red ball flew right over my head and I’d have to run after it (serious calorie burning).

Next week I’m starting a summer volleyball league, which can burn between 450 and 700 calories in an hour! All that while hanging out with some cute boys (that’s how I chose my team…) and keeping my toes in the sand. That definitely beats 45 minutes on the Stairmaster.

Summer leagues are easy to find and easy to join. You don’t even have to know other people doing it – there are plenty of teams that need extra players and you can hop right in. And don’t worry; if you’re not good, that’s OK, too! Most of these leagues are just about the fun, so it’s OK if you aren’t the star softball pitcher for your university.

My summer leagues really get me excited about working out and there is nothing better than that. I highly recommend everyone try one out – it’ll be the easiest 400-ish calories you ever burned.

To find a summer league near you, Google the sport you want to play and your city (Softball league, Boulder CO). If kickball is your thang, check the WAKA (World Adult Kickball Assocation…for real) website to find a league near you.

Well that’s bulls**t.

Bathing suits are supposed to be fun, flirty and cute. We wear them when we’re supposed to be having fun, not stressing because we’re not as surgically enhanced as the girl next to us or investing in last minute sarongs. With Spring Break steadfastly approaching, it’s time to check out the best bathing suits out there and re-vamp our ideas about swimsuit shopping.

So grab a trusted and honest friend, remove the necessary body hair and spray tan yourself silly (it seriously helps in dressing room fluorescents) and let’s shop.

Best Budget (And no one will know it!)

Old Navy’s Smocked Paisley Bikini

Remember those days when you wouldn’t be caught dead without your neon Old Navy Fleece jacket and every time you walked into Old Navy you had to buy 5 pairs of flip flops? Remember those really cheery Old navy commercials with everyone dancing? Well Old navy is awesome again (even though I was still shopping there when it wasn’t…those flip flops kick ass!) and all the proof you need is in their swimwear collection. This cobalt blue string bikini looks like you plucked it straight out of a Mediterranean boutique instead of your local Old Navy, and no one will be the wiser that you spent less than 50 bucks on the whole thing. You can shop by pattern, cut or mix and match, and every.single.piece. is under $20.

Best Bust Creators

Victoria’s Secret MiracleBra Swimsuits

Any of the tops offered by the MiracleBra line are bound to enhance whatever you’ve got up top. The suits all come in a ton of different cuts, colors and patterns, so the possibilities are endless when you’re creating your ideal bikini. (Bonus: seriously smaller chance that anyone on the beach will be wearing the same suit as you). Even if you want to be seriously sexy up top, you can keep it conservative on the bottom thanks to VS’s separates. This top is my favorite, mostly because it’s wireless, and if my PC doesn’t have wires, I personally believe my boobs shouldn’t either. Because it’s all cloth, the top is way more comfortable and definitely won’t get bent out of shape after some intense volleyball.

Bikini (F)or (large)Bust!

BECCA’s Expedition Halter

If you are well endowed when it comes to mammary issues, then you know how hard it is to find a decent fitting AND cute swimsuit. Enter BECCA by Rebecca Virtue. In almost every single pattern or style, the brand offers a D and/or DD cup size. Join in now: hallelujah! I love this geometric pattern because it is a) very cool and b) draws the eye in a diagonal direction, therefore (visually) cutting your boob in half (I said visually, ladies.) The cool coral, black and teal enameled brooch in the middle ties the funky pattern perfectly together, and the thick halter straps provide maximum support without underwire. Perfection.

Best One Piece

Venus’s South Beach Monokini

For the ultimate combo of chic and sexy, cut-out one pieces are the way to go. The cut-outs shave inches off of your waist by drawing your eye inward, and I love that the halter top isn’t so skimpy that the fabric will fall out of place if you move. In black, this suit begs you to wear it with heels, a floppy hat and huge sunglasses while you call everyone “dahling,” but all the other colors and patterns are so much fun that you might just want to buy two (and at $34 a pop, why the hell shouldn’t you?).

Best Itty-Bitty Bikini

Victoria’s Secret VerySexy Jeweled Orchid

All yellow polka dots aside, if you’ve been busting your butt at the gym since before SB09 was just a twinkle in your eye, show off your hard work in one of these. The maroon color is gorgeous on just about any skintone and the orchid accents are beautiful. They also allow you to look hot and fashionable on the beach without adding accessories that will probably end up broken, lost, or in the pocket of someone with a metal detector. The tiny triangle top gives you free reign over just how much cleavage you want to show and the low rise/high cut bottoms will leave very little to the imagination. If you’ve got the body to rock this bikini then work it!

Best splurge

Betsey Johnson’s Unforgettable Bikini with Swim Skirt

Not going anywhere for Spring Break? Then reward yourself for not blowing 6 months salary in one week (those margaritas add up!) and splurge on this. When I first saw this suit, my mind went into cuteness overload. Baby yellow? Yes, please. Floral detail on a classically feminine cut? OMG bikini heaven. This design also comes in a triangle or halter top , and tie or Brazilian bottoms (and yes, they all have the adorable rose detailing). Leave it to Betsey Johnson to create a perfect blend of retro glam, soft colors and hardcore sexiness…and turn it into a swimsuit.

Best Body Makeover

Miraclesuit’s Barcelona Bandeau

Ok, so I know the idea of a Miraclesuit sounds like something your Mom bought recently, but trust me when I say it truly is a MIRACLE. The extreme amount of spandex in this suit allows it to suck in, flatten, push up and shape pretty much any area on your body that makes you uncomfortable. The retro-bandeau style reminds me so much of pin-up girl suits, and they make the most of curves instead of trying to squeeze them into an ill-fitting suit.

Best All Around

BECCA by Rebecca Virtue.

Whenever I go to buy a new swimsuit, Becca’s collection is always the first one I check out. Her styles are always fabulous and fun, and there’s a cut for however–ahem—confident I’m feeling about strutting around in glorified underwear. And she never disappoints. A native Californian, Rebecca Virtue knows her beachwear. She believes in working with the natural shape of our bodies to create beautiful swimwear for everyone. All of her suits are designed with pretty detailing, gorgeous colors, cool combinations of fabrics (including soy!) and are meant to fit you flawlessly. And the best part? These suits last. I bought my first Becca suit when I was 15 and still wear it to this day without any saggy fabric or stretched out elastic—definitely worth it. You can check out her whole 2009 collection at her official website.

George W. likes what he sees at the Olympics

Cuteness Alert: High-fiving dog and adorable baby

A “Trophy Ring” for “Douchebags”

Just let me drink my damn caffeine in peace

Hey, Daniel Radcliff…spare some change?

I want to see Tropic Thunder…but these people don’t

No, really, thank God they invented this. My life was really unlivable without it

Adorable remake of the Dark Knight trailer

Imagine if they were all on the rag together?

Thinking of doing the Detox Diet? Think again

The United States of Cheap Beer

Translation: I’m not doing sh*t.

Actually, that’s a huge lie. Instead of lounging like I would like to be, I’m working my ass off at a menial job making minimum wage. Hours upon hours of filing, sitting in front of a super-slow, super-irritating computer and returning home to do the same (with the addition of the roommates watching endless Friends re-runs as background noise) has turned me into a bit of a mindless drone. I have felt myself becoming lazier, smellier, dumber and well, wider.

My gym shoes have collected dust by the front door, right next to at least three garbage bags full of Keystone cans, Bud Light bottles and the occasional box of Carlo. My once-amazing gym habits (3x a week, alternating between running and the elliptical) have become practically non-existent. I even have a sweet new workout mix created on my iPod, but this has still not motivated me to actually go exercise.

But, I figure that there is always a bright side to every situation. Since I can’t actually find the energy to drag myself halfway across town to the gym, I decided that I can bring the exercise to me. But, with little cash and little-to-no motivation, what can a girl do to stay in shape?

Workout DVDs: (from easiest to hardest)

[These require little to no “tools” besides comfy workout clothes, a yoga mat (mine is here) and a DVD player.]

GAIAM Yoga for Beginners –If you’ve never done a Downward Dog or Sun Saluation in your life (and you’re reading this like WTF is she talking about?), this DVD is for you. The instruction is slow, easy and will ensure that you don’t twist an ankle or pull a muscle while you’re learning the moves. Just make sure you have a DVD remote because you can’t skip around and it can get quite boring. Correction: Really boring.

Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease– What? She’s hot. And if there is any possibility my body will end up looking at all like hers (or that I’ll magically become coordinated enough to actually perform a striptease) because of this DVD, you better believe I’ll throw down some cash…that is unless Tila Tequila comes out with her own workout vids.

The Yoga Booty Ballet Series – Okay, so the name (and the “instructors” in the video) are a little weird. Alright, I’m not gonna lie, they actually creeped me out so much the first time I attempted to get my booty in yoga ballet shape, that I was tempted to turn it off. But, I “kept up” as they instructed me and I felt fabulous. I started with “Yoga Core” (the beer belly is definitely the first thing that needs to go!). It can get a little intense if you’ve been a stagnate vegetable for months like me, but overall, I think it’s a good workout.

Wii Fit –I don’t have one (or even know anyone who does), but it sounds pretty damn sweet. You can do stuff like yoga, aerobics, even strength training from the (comfort?) of this weird little electronic mat thing.

Too broke to buy stuff? Yeah, me too. Instead of dishing out the cash for the aforementioned DVDs, check out free online workout videos like these awesome ones on YouTube with model-turned-yoga instructor Tara Stiles.

Outdoors-y stuff you can do fo’ free:

Take a hike. Literally, According to this little ditty, light hiking can burn about 225 cals. Take a friend …& some mushrooms for an extra exciting adventure Just kidding. Kind of.

Take a break from tanning and chillaxing poolside and actually go swimming. Run ten laps around the pool or engage in a little water aerobics. Of, if you have the luxury of living near a beach, try body surfing. This didn’t always work out so well for me, but maybe you’ll have better luck.

Beach/backyard volleyball. Instead of hiding behind your big-ass sunglasses, flipping the pages of the latest Harper’s Bazaar or creepily admiring the toned, tanned bodies of the boys playing beach volleyball, join in. Put in the effort — you can burn up to 100 calories.

Other random/cheap ways to up your fitness level:

Walk places or park far away from the places you drive to. You’ve heard it before, but seriously. JUST DO IT.

Shop & walk the mall at least once a week. An easy way to combine your two favorite things. And by favorite, I mean one favorite and one thing that kinda sucks.

Jump rope. Make one if you can’t find your old one.

Swap workout DVDs with other chicks you know who are trying to get in shape.

Find out if there are free yoga sessions offered in your area. And take advantage when gyms near you offer “Demo” weeks and the like.

Scour your kitchen. Not only does cooking burn calories, you can substitute lifting dumbbells for lifting milk jugs, sacks of potatoes or even canned goods. Your roommates might make fun of you, but when your underarm no longer jiggles like an old woman’s when you wave (and their’s still do), who’ll be laughing then?

But perhaps the biggest problem here is not WHAT you can do, but HOW the hell you can get yourself to do it.

- Start small. But make sure to challenge yourself. If you can only complete ten minutes of a workout DVD one day, that’s okay. Just be sure to keep increasing your time and the intensity of your workouts as time goes on. This is also a great confidence builder.

- Reward yourself. Like, “Hey self, meet your workout goal for the week? Okay then. You are totally allowed to buy the Sex & the City Movie book.”

- Write stuff down. Sign up for one of those websites that allows you to track your workout progress, download a Food & Workout Diary from Marie Clare here or buy a cute little Moleskine (or one of those 99 cent things from the drugstore), cover it with inspirational quotes and you’re good to go.

- Stop reading this! All of CC’s intelligent, delicious, gorgeous, fabulous bloggers will still be here when you get back. Pop in a DVD & get your ass in gear.

[Photo courtesy of Corbis.com]