maintaining ab tone while gaining weight

I need to gain about 7 pounds this summer, and will be doing so by eating 2600 calories a day. I run nearly daily and do some strength training, but I don't gain muscle easily. However, I have recently toned up my abs (while losing weight). How can I keep the tone while still gaining weight? Will increasing my ab workout be sufficient? I have a tendency to gain and lose weight from my stomach area.

Thank you for your help!

Oh my goodness i am in the EXACT same position as you! I need to gain that amount as well, but i dont want a flabby stomach! I do lots of exercises as well, and id love the weight to go anywhere except the stomach... but thats the only place i see it going. Any advice people for the two of us?? :)

I found that doing heavy weights - arms, legs etc helps a LOT.. for me anyway.  I think its because the extra calories are being used to build/help the other muscles..

For what it's worth, overdoing abs gives you a bulky preggo looking belly instead of toned abs.  I used to do abs or at least a hollow hold almost every day and had a massive stomach.  I cut back to 2-3 times per week and now I have a six pack.