An active lifestyle has been part of Chuck and Marleen Lowman’s lives for a long time, and they’re continuing that through their senior years.

On a regular basis, the two head out from their country home to Sidney HealthWorks early in the morning for a 45-minute workout at least five days a week. They use the eliptical trainers, weight machines and treadmills before heading outdoors to walk the bike path, sidewalks or the high school track.

“I usually don’t let the weather intrude on that,” Marleen said. “I like to be outside.” Then they’ll regularly walk the hills on their land to boost their heart rates while “enjoying nature.”

Chuck and Marleen Lowman biked along the Yukon River through Alaska.

Marleen, a retired teacher of Sidney Elementary School, took her activity to school with her while she taught. “I would take an apple and put on my walking shoes and walk during my noon break. And then again after school I’d go down to the fitness center,” she said.

She also biked frequently with her children and now grandchildren. Meanwhile, Chuck had always been an athlete, playing sports through high school, college and beyond. His main sport was basketball until he was injured. Then he gained some weight until his wife invited him to join her on her workouts. She felt he needed to be part of the physical routine. They started going together in the morning. “I got back to a routine exercise that took the weight back down,” Chuck said. “I feel a lot better.”

Both say they enjoy working out together because a partner gives them motivation. “It’s support, encouragement and it gets you out there,” Marleen said. “We do our own thing. He does his thing. I do my thing, and we’re pretty much done at the same time, so out the door we go to walk a few more miles.”

In addition to their regular workouts, the couple recently began taking trips within the last year to add some variation. They’ve biked along the Yukon River through Alaska, hiked in Denali National Park, biked along the Pacific Coast (Cook Inlet), biked through Estes Park in Colorado, cross country ski and snowshoe in Aspen and spur-of-the-moment hikes and four-wheeling in the Badlands with friends.

“We love traveling, sight seeing and the health of activity,” Chuck said. The two also challenge themselves by climbing Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Ariz., while visiting their daughter and son-in-law. The mountain offers various trails on difficult levels, and they were able to make it to the summit.

The Lowmans say their exercising has helped prevent age-related conditions like weight gain, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and has even added extra energy. In addition, Chuck said he’s seen more improvements. “Exercise has definitely helped bring my cholesterol down,” he said, adding it has kept it under control along with a healthy diet.

Although no specific trip is planned – except for a trip back to Camelback Mountain in the near future – the two do plan to continue exercising and staying active. “I want to stay that way,” Marleen said.

reporter@sidneyherald.com