Q I am a 16-year-old girl who likes wearing shorts when I go shopping, but there is a problem. I have big thighs. I have tried various exercises to no avail. How can I make my thighs slimmer?

A How clever of you: There are few articles of clothing better suited to the quick-change antics of a shopping spree than a pair of shorts. They make trying on clothes a breeze because you can simply slip dresses and skirts over them.

And you certainly do not need to be a stick insect to look nice in shorts. Everyone has different body types. For example, curvy gals like Beyonce and Alicia Keys do not have model-thin thighs and they look lovely in shorts.

So there is absolutely no need to starve yourself just to look good in a pair.

Still, toned gams do up the glam factor.

So here are some tips from award-winning body-builder and personal trainer Joan Liew on how to tame thunder thighs through healthy exercise rather than drastic dieting.

'Females tend to be heavier in the lower body,' she notes. To keep your thighs in check, exercise regularly and eat sensibly, she advises.

She suggests cardiovascular training such as running and swimming two to three times a week. Resistance training, such as lifting weights, is also important, says Liew. 'This works the muscles in the thigh and hip region to keep the lower body toned and shapely.'

She adds: 'Squats and leg presses are great to include in your workout routine, as are leg curls to work your hamstrings.'

Liew assures that training with weights two times a week will not make your body gain bulk as long as you keep the weights light. A guideline is to perform three to four sets of 15 to 20 repetitions for each exercise.

If you find the last three repetitions very challenging, that particular weight should be about right for you. For more specific guidelines, check out Liew's website, www.fitnessfactory.com.sg, for tips.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.