It turned out to be one heck of a New Year’s resolution.

At the end of December 2014, Vincent DiMonte decided it would be good if he got a little more exercise in his life. He started walking, lifting some light weights, and doing some basic exercises.  And he has not stopped since.

Last week, his friends at the Planet Fitness on Hartford Avenue threw an impromptu party to celebrate the fact that DiMonte, 73, has exercised every day for 10 years.  That’s 3,652 days to be exact – from Dec. 30, 2014 to Dec. 27, 2024.

 “It didn’t start to be anything,” DiMonte said of his exercise streak.  “I just felt I needed to move a little more.”  

Almost every day, “moving a little more” meant showing up at Planet Fitness, but when Covid caused the health club to close temporarily, he continued on his own, finding favorite walks at local parks or exercising at home.  It’s the same on holidays, he said, noting that if the gym isn’t open, he’s still going to follow the list of exercises he writes down every night for the next day.

A family practice lawyer for more than 45 years, DiMonte acknowledges that he’s not your typical athlete.  His usual workout attire consists of lose trousers secured with a worn leather belt, a button-down shirt and “sensible” well-worn sneakers.  He said he thinks his 10-year regime has helped up lose a little weight and tone up a bit, but it was also about enjoying the company of his friends.

“The man’s a machine,” kidded gym buddy Joseph Feula who organized Friday’s party which included balloons, tiramisu-type cake, donuts and a lot of good-natured jabs.  “He’s a lean mean machine – I think I actually saw him move once.”

DiMonte, who has a broad smile and quick sense of humor, takes it all in stride.  He meticulously writes down every work out on little pieces of paper that of paper that he carries around the gym and even drafted a “sworn affidavit” attesting to his 10 years of exercising every day, under “penalty of perjury.”  On Friday he made a large hand-lettered sign proclaiming his fitness streak and wore it taped around his body.

“I definitely have more muscle than when I started,” he said, dryly maintaining a straight face.   “Some people might even say I’m chiseled.”

Born and raised in Providence, DiMonte went to LaSalle high school before getting his undergraduate degree from Providence College and his law degree from Villa Nova University.

He said that unfortunately, marriage was not in the cards for him, but it is clear from the amount of people that stopped to wish him well Friday, that he well known and well liked in the community.  DiMonte is an usher and lector at St. Robert St Robert Bellarmine Church on Atwood Avenue and is as faithful to his attendance there as he is to his fitness regime.

At about 5 feet, 4-and-half-inches tall, DiMonte typically cuts a dapper figure, with a penchant for colorful bow ties and jaunty caps when he’s away from the gym.

“He is a person with a big heart,” says Anthony Ursillo, a trustee of the Johnston Historical Society and fellow regular at the gym.  “He can be anyone’s friend – and he inspires.”

DiMonte, who will turn 74 later this month, said that he has had a happy life, but he is also frank about the fact that it has not been without some hard times. He says that he never intended to be a lifelong bachelor and that living alone can be a challenge as he gets older.

Not too long ago, he moved into the house on Colony Drive to help take care of a beloved aunt, but she passed away in August with DiMonte visiting her at the hospital every day.  “I was the son she never had,” he said.  “Sometimes God asks you to do certain things and…. your only real choice is to say yes.”

He said he was touched by the fact that his friends chose to surprise him by celebrating exercise accomplishment, and that he enjoyed every minute of the party.

“I never intended for this to become a ten-year streak,” DiMonte said, adding that while he does like exercising, he also truly enjoys the company and camaraderie of his gym compatriots.

He says his friends know they can find him at Planet Fitness every day – unless he’s walking outside – and at church every Sunday.

He has no intention of breaking his exercise streak and said he thinks his accomplishment shows “that it’s never too late to start anything.”

“You just take the first step” he said.  “You may not know at first exactly where you’re going to go, but God literally holds you in the palm of his hand.”