The way to get toned abs is by doing cardiovascular exercise and weight lifting (and of course a clean diet). I don’t want to weight lift and get all bulky. But what does lifting have anything to do with abs?

Because the abs are forced to work by stabilizing your body as you lift weights like dumbbells and barbells.

The abs are also a part of your core, which consists of the lower back, abs, and hip flexors. The core is at the center of your body, and the force you generate to lift weights first comes from the this.

Basically your abs are always working in every exercise. (unless you are doing isolation exercises)