Question about changing up routine...

Currently I do a full body workout with weights Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for 35 minutes, I then do 30 minutes on the elliptical Monday through Saturday. I have been doing this routine for about 5 weeks now and I don't want to get stuck on a plateau so I plan on switching it up in two weeks or so. My question is, what is enough of a change to keep the body guessing?

I was thinking that instead of doing 35 minutes of weights on Monday, Wed. and Fri, that I should switch to 45 minutes and instead of doing 2 sets of 15 for every exercise I would do 3 sets of 12 for each one and mix up the order I do them in, and instead of doing 30 minutes on the elliptical Monday through Sat. I should add an additional 10 minutes of jogging. Is this enough of a change?

I usually go to the gym to do weights in the a.m. and the after work I do my cardio--there is just too many people at my gym to use the weights after work, it gets very crowded...do you think that if I do my cardio in the morning with the weights that I would have enough of a change?

 Thanks in advance for all your help!

Depends on what your goals are and the time that you have.  Workout twice a day increases your metabolism because it is spiked twice through the day.  So if fat loss is you goal you can split it up.  I like the idea of increasing your weights to 3 reps of 12 - make sure you increase the weight that you are using to be able to do only 12 reps on the last set.  For cardio, I would switch to doing 25mins on the elliptical and then 25mins jogging.  On the weekends, or when you have time, maybe you can throw in another form of cardio such as spin class or biking outside or something like that for close to an hour.  My advice is geared more towards the goal of losing fat.

3 sets of 8-12 is a lot better. If you can do 15 reps, you're using a weight that is too light. Also if you're using machines, hop over to the free weights. You'll really shock your body!

I can't help with the cardio. I do my cardio with a scowl because I hate it and I just do it to supplement my weight routine.

Good job on doing weights in the AM way before cardio. You don't want to jeopardize your weight time by getting tired with cardio.

Thanks for your quick responses--and yes, my goal is fat loss!

I will def. try the free weights, I have been eyeing the free weight section for a week or so but I am still imtimidated a bit by it all--I'll get over it! haha.

Oh, and I'll be sure to increase the weight when I do lower reps. Thanks again!

Don't be intimidated!! I only work in the free weight area, right there by all the thick neck, muscley guys. They can wait for me to do my little squats just the same as if I were squating 245lbs!

changing the types of exercises every two weeks can help loads (if you don't already)

have a wonder through this site http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html

changing the number of reps and sets should suffice though.

i work out a lot, possibly too much, what helps me is once a month to do super sets, basiclly giving yourself very little or no rest time between sets, like opening up a car to high speed.

it really gets the whole body involved

My husband has told me that working the same muscles twice a week is the ideal. Once a week is not enough, and the benefit of doing three times a week is highly diminished.

 I would say go for some new exercise to replace one day of weights- ever do a spin class? It burns a lot of calories and works totally different muscles than running.