As the weather starts to be more optimal for outdoor activity, a nationally renowned clinical pharmacist is hoping you'll consider taking up walking a couple of times a week this summer as a way to greatly improve your health.

When many people think of getting in shape or getting healthy, they might conjure up images of joining an expensive gym with a lot of weights and treadmills and bikes but Dr. Jim LaValle, other of 'The Metabolic Code' and Clinical Director for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Performance Health Program is a huge advocate for walking.

If you make a habit of walking, the benefits can be huge. Dr. LaValle works with individuals from top athletes in the country to everyday people coming in for everyday health issues and says walking is the answer to so many issues anyone of any body type faces.

For those that like to train through an intense cardio session or a weight lifting session, Dr. LaValle says walking can be a great balance to throw into that routine that will bring the benefits of those workouts together.

Dr. LaValle encourages leaving the phone at home but if you do, turn the social media off, get to the text messages later, and just clear your head and think about happy things. While it sounds a bit batty, he says we need a break from the things that stress us during the day. 

Additionally, walking helps reset our nervous system by improving our resting heart rate. 

Later this week, we'll have more with Dr. LaValle on practical things we can do to improve the benefits of our walks. You can find more of his work at jimlavalle.com.