Usually what I do is track circuits. Basically you sprint a 1/4mi or one lap at a track and then to 20-50 sit-ups/ crunches(don't over exert yourself other wise it just hurts your muscles not tones them). Do this pattern 4-8 times, also I like to add pushup and russians so as to keep it a rounded workout. This routine helps to increase stamina, core strength, metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Of course this won't privide immediate results but you should start to notice abs in 2-3 weeks(as long as this is done 3-4 times a week). Remember the longer you do a workout the more your body adapts to it, so remember to slowly increase the intensity or number of reps. Good luck!
This is very individual as body types differ. For me, hard work hard physical labor such as yard work, lifting, perhaps building a wall with stone ... this was the type of work that got me a six pack, but at the same time I was losing weight for a health problem (Celiac) so my body fat got low.