How am I still fat?

[Quorafun]

Basically, just that. I want the opinions of others please.

I am 5 2 and now weigh 67kg. I was 88kg and I knew I was too fat then, but multiple diets over the last ten years have just resulted in yo-yoing with an overall increase to that number. With a BMI of 36, I knew I was fat. Regardless of the issues surrounding the use of BMI, if they say normal is below 23 then 36 is unhealthy. Now I am 27.2 BMI, look and feel great, but its still too high according to the science.
According to body fat calculators, at 35% fat, again, too high.
But, I don't see how getting back down below 60kg is going to look good. I don't want a skull for a face. I know that as a society, we no longer see larger people as unhealthy in the way we used to. I was told I was ok back when my BMI was 36 but that's also because there are now so many people who are much larger and so many at my size that it is no longer considered an extreme weight. But growing up, people generally weren't that big. I'm all about body positivity, but I'm also pleased that now my knees don't hurt and I don't get breathless going up the stairs anymore. My cholesterol is now normal and I am no longer pre-diabetic.
This isn't a boasting by stealth post. I know I have worked hard, and am now much happier in myself, and I don't need validation from others to feel good. But I just don't understand how losing more weight, just to get to the right numbers, is going to be healthy. The entire point of my weight loss was health, with looks as an added extra. So how are the numbers still telling me I'm carrying too much weight around.

Firstly, I think you are being too hard on yourself. To get down to where you are at is fantastic and takes a lot of dedication and commitment.

I find bmi so outdated and inaccurate that I'd just ignore that as it doesn't take into account body composition.

Body fat % wise you aren't far off and really close.
Healthline has acceptable % up to 31%.

Same is mentioned in this article:
https://athleanx.com/articles/women-body-fat-percentage-photos

@VivaVictoria I don't get the point of your comparison? Is it supposed to be reassurance that she could lose 19kg and still be 'NOT skinny'? You sound like you definitely are 'skinny' everywhere else but just have a big stomach.

I’m 5ft3.5 and 55.5kg. My BMI is 21.4. I don’t look skinny. Slim, yes, skinny, no. I certainly don’t have a skull for a face. At nearly 40 that would just age me!

two years ago my BMI was 26 and that’s when I decided to get back into exercise and do something about it. I looked chubby without being ‘fat’ at this size. I don’t carry weight well and wasn’t happy with my appearance at all. I’m much happier with how I look now that my BMI is in the middle of the healthy weight category.

as a society we have lost sight of what is normal. My morbidly obese friend couldn’t understand why I wanted to loose weight as to her I was ‘skinny’. She told me I look ridiculous and scrawny now that I’ve lost weight (I actually don’t at all).

that said, you’ve done brilliantly to get to where you are. Everyone carry’s weight differently and if you’re happy with how you look and feel then that is what matters. People who are more pear shaped can be a bit heavier and still look slim. Unfortunately that is not my shape.

My gran used to say after a certain age it’s a choice between face and arse, OP! You’ve done brilliantly. If you’re happy focus on maintaining and strengthening for health, bones, future.