Re: exercise advice
Okay excercising should not be done in spurts or phases. Its a way of life and you have to keep it up if you want to keep up those abs up. ;)
Now, my favorite thing for abs and total body workout is Pilates. Get yourself a basic Windsor Pilates DVD and use that at home to work out. At the same time, do cardio three times a week. You will feel and look great!
As for abs and them looking worse if you stop working out.
If your body is used to healthy or organic food and all of a sudden you start eating fast food, your body will suffer.
Just like that, if your body is used to working out and being healthy and then all of a sudden you stop excercising...your body will also suffer.
Take care of your body and in turn it will take care of you too.